Fears over trail of destruction

TIMBER . . . Colin White at the trail of destruction

FURIOUS residents say a council operation to clear trees to improve Crompton Moor is massacring wildlife and woodland.

But Oldham Council has dismissed concerns, saying the work is part of an ongoing habitat management programme to thin out a plantation.

Residents have been horrified to see heavy plant equipment ploughing down more and more trees.

Colin White, who regularly walks on the moor, said: “It’s just a total mess. Why are Oldham Council destroying woodland in what is supposed to be a tree-thinning measure?

“They have got a big machine that’s taking the trees down willy nilly. They have chopped a lot down and I think there’s more to go. By the time they finish I don’t think there will be any trees left. It’s like mass destruction. What they are doing is wrong.

Nesting

“I think it’s disgusting. They have given no thought to any nesting birds. The whole place was full of bird’s feathers. How can this be allowed?

“I contacted the RSPB and they have told me that Oldham Council has a duty of care not to cut trees down when the bird’s nesting season starts, which it has.

“No trees should be taken down until the end of July. If they don’t stop then I think they will get involved.”

The anger follows criticism over plans to make Crompton Moor accessible to all.

The council is consulting over proposals to improve footpaths, bridleways, create a dedicated mountain biking trail and a special trail for disabled scooters to open the countryside to the handicapped.

It stems from long-running problems of mountain bikers on unofficial trails coming into conflict with other people on the moor. It’s hoped an official trail will create a safe place for youngsters to practise.

But residents who use the Shaw beauty spot to walk their dogs fear their views are being ignored and are sceptical whether the proposals will bring improvements.

There were already concerns that the tree cutting was to create space for the bike trail.

Council leader Councillor Howard Sykes said the work had been agreed with the Forestry Commission.

He added: “This work has been planned for several years and is part of the ongoing management of the woodlands on the moor. The plantations were planted approximately 30 years ago and woodland management work has been carried out over the last few years on several of the plantations.

“The Whitesides plantation, however, has never had any work carried out on it to thin the trees, which is a necessary management practice in order to diversify the age structure of the trees.

“The work is not destructive to the woodland and can only be beneficial to both the trees and the wildlife that inhabit it, although I can appreciate while the work is carried out the path may be churned up.”