Ugly duck pond needs a clean-up

Former councillor Chris Shyne looks over the silted-up pond

AN oasis of countryside in a built-up area of Oldham is being allowed to deteriorate and deter wildlife, according to a former Oldham councillor.

Chris Shyne is trying to revive an old mill lodge which was once a playground for ducks.

He made the same plea for the pond, part of the Medlock Valley near Brideoak Street, Millbottom, Waterhead, 17 years ago, when ducks and other wildlife were driven away by silt and pollution.

Grandiose

The area was cleaned up but he says it has silted up again — and is being allowed to decay.

Mr Shyne added: “Twelve months ago I had a meeting with council officers and the Environment Agency. They were suggesting grandiose schemes for which they had no money at the time.

“All it needs is a bit of labour to remove the silt and deepen the pond for the ducks, say 18 inches or 2ft.

“There used to be a nesting platform for them, but now all that’s left are the stumps.

“There used to be loads of ducks here and there are brown trout in the water which runs down from the old reservoirs at Strinesdale Country Park.

“Now the coping stones are falling off the walls, the bridge is falling down, and there are rat holes in the bank.

“This is the ward of the Mayor and Mayoress of Oldham — but the state of the water is an insult to the people living around here.”

Janet and Roy Hazeldine, who were walking through the area with their three-year-old daughter Evie, agreed.

Janet said: “We have seen how it is getting silted up. It is a nice spot and we like coming here because Evie likes the ducklings. There was a clean-up a few weeks ago and rubbish was removed from the water.”

Councillor Mark Alcock, Cabinet member for environment and infrastructure said: “Council officers and representatives of the Environment Agency have met with Mr Shyne recently.

“Following this meeting it was agreed that the council would remove litter and rubbish from the river at this point.

“This was done immediately, however we will look again at what can be done in the short-term to ensure that this remains an clean and safe place for citizens to visit.”