We are lucky enough in Denton to be receiving a long-overdue leisure facility.
The ‘wellness centre’, which is currently under construction in the centre of Denton, will include an eight-lane competition swimming pool, learner pool, spa area, fitness suite and ten-pin bowling alley.

However, for anybody living on the outer rim of Denton - Bredbury, Haughton Green, Dane Bank, Guide Bridge or further afield, Tameside council’s plan on charging users of the facility to park seems extremely unfair. Anybody wanting to park will be charged an unconfirmed fee, but if you were to use the new facilities 4 times a week, this could well be £20+ per month, on top of whatever membership fee will be required.

Tameside’s official response to the car parking charges is: “We are committed to reducing the number of car journeys by promoting the use of public transport, walking & cycling where possible. Denton Town centre is served well by public transport & the new facility can be accessed readily on foot or by cycle with storage facilities onsite.”

Denton’s public transport system has been neglected for years, whilst the surrounding areas have been receiving new metro link connections and improved stations, Denton's public transport has been left in the dark ages.
Denton has no Metro or Train links to any surrounding areas, so the above statement “Denton Town centre is served well by public transport“ is not true.

The new wellness centre should be encouraging people to get active. I fully understand encouraging people to walk and ride to the facility is doing just that, but its unfair on the wider community to expect this as a standard or be punished.

If you agree, and you think Tameside Council should rethink the parking policy for the new facility please sign this petition.