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Opening up the great outdoors
Reporter: Richard Hooton
Date online: 15 March 2010
WORK on creating cycle and play trails at Crompton Moor will begin in the summer, Oldham Council has revealed.
Council chiefs say it will start after the bird nesting season and will give families more reasons to visit and enjoy the beauty spot.
The council has been allocated £30,000 from the Big Lottery Fund for the project, which will include a family cycle trail and skills area, and a natural play trail on the spoil heaps next to Brushes Clough car park.
The aim is to allow greater access to Crompton Moor while protecting its character and wildlife and encouraging more people to enjoy the wider countryside.
Some residents who use the area to walk their dogs have complained, though, over fears their views are being ignored and the moor will be harmed.
In 2007, Oldham Play Partnership successfully bid to the Big Lottery Fund for funding and as part of the boroughwide “Adventures in Play” programme money was allocated to the project.
Initial proposals were to use the money to replace existing bike trails on the moor, which had been built without approval by mountain bikers, with a purpose-built managed freeride trail.
However, following public meetings and workshops in May and June last year, the original idea changed and the new facilities were proposed. Further consultation, including with the Crompton Moor User group, also took place.
Councillor Mark Alcock, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said: “The cycle and play trails will provide families with more reasons to visit and enjoy Crompton Moor.
“These great outdoor facilities will mean people can enjoy the countryside on their doorstep while at the same time helping them to keep fit and healthy.
“The longer term access project for Crompton Moor will be a credit to the borough and will allow citizens better access to the moor and countryside beyond.”
Comments
I dont' think the council are aware, but this area is frequently used by horses. There are tell tale hoof prints all over the spoil heaps. A mix of walkers; dogs; horses and bikes ---- hmm!!! someone is asking for trouble!!!
This announcement is a little previous! There are many conflict and safety issues still to be resolved, before it can proceed.
The mountain bike club who pushed this into action knew it had been passed before the final consultation with the CMUG had even taken place, So much for democracy. Virtually everyone who uses the moor or lives adjacent to the moor opposes this move by the council with many commenting on what a waste of time the meetings turned out to be as the end result was always going to be the same.
Alcock and bull?
I never cease to be amazed at the sheer brass neck of individuals such as Alcok, Sykes and Blyth. They have had their sticky fingers in this whole sorry mess from day one.
At a recent public meeting, a subcontractor to OMBC, in an attempt to justify their inaction on the vandalism on the moor, suggested that "one man's vandalism is another man's creativity".
Un-be-fliiping-leivable! It sickens me think that I am paying £170 a month fund this clueless shower of incompetents.
Yesterday I noticed,yet again,more vandalism on the moor. Fences cut and gates pulled off their hinges. The damage lines up with yet more new cycle & motorcycle tracks, thus enabling the perpetrators a full, uninterrupted blast down the moor. Cllr's Allcock,sykes,blythe, have you ever seen the damage being wreaked upon the moor?Have you thought it an idea to walk around the moor? Do you even care?
Sunday 21st of March saw yet another increase in offroad motorcycles damaging the moor. During the afternoon I witnessed 3 seperate groups riding motorcycles illegally around the moor. Another drystone wall was demolished to allow access for their bikes. As the motorcyclist's go unmolested, others see and hear this and before you know it there are several groups up there. What are you going to do Cllr's Sykes & Alcock?
TW - I had a run-in with the trail bikers on Sunday which resulted in me being showered in soil and grass as one of them deliberately sat in front of me and then revved up and slipped the clutch.If there had been a stone under that slimeball's rear wheel I could have been hurt. This is OMBCs land and their responsibility - they should prioritise protection of the moor, not the idiot Vink's kiddies bike trails or condoning vandalism. Alcock and Sykes - you're a disgrace to your party.
Nobblysan, i reported them to the police and asked if anyone else had but he did not know. I have been in touch with the rangers too, but it seems there is little anyone can or will do. All i can say is we must keep reporting them to the police. Some of them park their trailers etc on the A640 huddersfield road to the north of the mast.
TW - I reported them to GMP before this incident, and then immediately after. They seemed interested in pursuing this as an assault, and promised to ring me to arrange an interview. that was last Sunday, it is now Friday, and no phone call.
Have Your Say
When will cllr allcock begin the removal of the unauthorised cycle tracks please? When will he have the dry stone walls repaired, gates and fences replaced, all damaged by the unauthorised continuous use of mountain bikes away from the bridle paths?
The moor may not mean much to many of those who travel in and vandalise the moor to suit their specific needs but to us locals it matters,shame this is not the case for Cllr Allcock.
By timberwolf @ 15/03/2010 16:17:06