22m visit Peak District in a year

The benefits of the Peak District National Park were described to Saddleworth Finance and General Purposes Committee last night.

Chief ranger Sean Prendergast said the park, set up in 1945, was visited by 22 million people every year — and was less than two hours away to half of Britain’s population. He added that the Dark Peak area, which covered parts of Saddleworth, was a brooding landscape where walkers could feel free.

Councillor Ken Hulme said the Government had passed legislation which allowed the park to expand and he would like areas like Delph and Denshaw to become more of a gateway to the peaks.

Mr Prendergast said he recognised there were anomalies in the boundaries at present.

Councillor Derek Heffernan asked what the population was inside the Peak District National Park.

Mr Prendergast said there were 38,000 living in the National Park.

Councillor John Hudson said he would like better representation for Saddleworth on the Peak District National Park Board.

Saddleworth would gain more school buses and cycle ways if the public backed the congestion charge, Councillor Brian Lord told the committee.

But Councillor John Hudson said he was unsure if Saddleworth would get significant benefits and Councillor Ken Hulme said many people travelling into Manchester would be hard hit by the charge.

Feedback from the public would help councillors prepare a blueprint for future voluntary organisations weekends in Saddleworth.

Councillor Brian Lord said there had been 30 responses relating to the recent exhibition weekend at Uppermill. Councillor John Hudson said he thought the exhibition should become a biannual event.

A survey on rights of way in Saddleworth had been slowed by bad weather, Councillor Mike Buckley told the committee. The survey is being carried out on paths and byways with a view to having them improved by the local authority.

The waiting room at Greenfield Station would be finished, said Councillor Royce Franklin, who explained that, despite the builders going bust, the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority had given an undertaking that it would be finished.

The chairman’s charity has been swelled by a wine tasting evening at the White Hart, Lydgate, which raised £1,355 and a flea market at the Civic Hall, Uppermill, which netted £57.