Moor work will open the land to all

Reporter: by RICHARD HOOTON
Date published: 11 May 2009


COUNTRYSIDE officers have unveiled more ideas for trails across Crompton Moor, designed to make it accessible for all.

Consultation is continuing until October over proposals for the Crompton Moor Outdoor Activity Park — with architects keen to emphasise, after criticism from some users, that their proposals are only designed to kick-start the process.

Residents who use the Shaw beauty spot to walk their dogs fear their views are being ignored — but countryside officers say they want the moor to be used by everyone in harmony.

Richard Vink, principal greenspace development officer, took the Evening Chronicle on a tour to show what’s envisaged.

Problems began several years ago when mountain bikers made unofficial trails that caused safety problems. But officers want to utilise their skills for creating the trails on a part of the moor that won’t bring them into conflict with other users.

The proposals include bike trails of varying difficulty, from family tracks to jumps for skilled riders, an orienteering course, and bridleways for horse riders and walkers.

A tramper (off-road scooter) trail would open up the countryside for disabled users, while there is the possibility of a visitors centre being built in the future.

Paths would be improved, signs erected, boundaries secured to prevent vehicles, and seats, walls, picnic areas, viewpoints and interpretation boards created.

Mr Vink said: “The bikers are damaging the ground and are a health risk so they need a trail that’s sustainable. I think people are coming round to the idea that mountain bike trails can be accommodated.”

The area is described as Oldham’s unsung jewel and the council says it offers huge potential for community-based activities that will give positive social and economic effects.

The authority believes investment could create a local destination of some note.

Future developments could include activities such as fishing, dog trials, climbing, and clay pigeon shooting and events such as theatre and film shows and sculpture trails.

A recent operation to thin out trees in the Whitesides plantation caused uproar with residents claiming the heavy machinery was massacring woodland and harming birds.

Mr Vink says that one in five trees was felled to open up the land to more wildlife and no long-term harm was done.

He said: “People aren’t used to seeing this kind of operation. But the ground will recover. If you come here next year you won’t know that machinery had been here.

“They have legitimate concerns. It was the start of the nesting season so we might have disturbed some birds but they will have gone to other plantations and will come back. There are signs since that they are coming back and the work we are doing will enhance it and get more species here.”

Oldham Council has held a number of workshops to get people involved. The next one takes place on May 19 at 6.30pm at Crompton Library.

l Information about the proposals is on www.oldham.gov.uk/cromptonmoor.