Athletes are running out of options fast

SHOW of solidarity . . . Saddleworth Runners and local parents and children unite, led by chairman Jill Davies

DISGRUNTLED athletes are furious about plans to remove a running track from playing fields.

Anger is growing among locals around Churchill Plying Fields in Greenfield who fear youngsters will miss out due to plans to not replace the track once vital drainage works have been carried out.

An online petition has now been set up to oppose the move.

Saddleworth Runners, parents and youngsters joined forces in a show of solidarity.

The long-established group use the track as a base for events during the summer.

Chairman Jill Davies, who has signed the petition, said: “It came as a shock to us. There has apparently been meetings going on but we have not been involved. This is a big loss to the area, particularly the children. I’m incensed, the London Olympics are hoping to spark children in to taking up these sports — but our children are having them taken away.

“It’s ludicrous and a complete retrograde idea.

But Councillor Barbara Beeley, who has been heavily involved with the project, has said that it would be nigh-on impossible to find the funding for a new running track to be laid.

She said: “The hard track will no longer exist but there will be a grass track marked out from May to September.

“We got quotes to re-install the running track and it came in between £600,000 and £1 million.

“A properly-drained grass track would be better than what is there now, it’s 40 or 50 years-old and a safety hazard.”

Councillor Beeley argues that the £300,000 project, which could potentially be funded by the Football Foundation and the Rugby Football League, could be in jeopardy if the proposed layout is altered.

Extra space for football and rugby pitches would be gained through the removal of the track, but funding could be withdrawn if this is reduced.

Parish councillor Ken Hulme hit out at the plans and said: “There is no reason why football and rugby cannot co-exist perfectly well with athletics facilities.”

Work is planned for the end of June with Councillor Beeley confirming that the field will be out of action for 12 months. This has a huge knock-on effect for some of the large-scale events in Saddleworth. The Chronicle understands that a meeting between Oldham Council and event organisers was held last week to discuss alternative options.

Ben Hilton, former chairman of the Saddleworth Olympics committee, said: “Drainage is appalling and it has to be sorted, so a grass track is the lesser of two evils. It’s not just about the Olympics, Saddleworth needs better sports facilities, at the moment it is out of action for weeks at a time.”

A public meeting will be held at the civic hall in Uppermill tomorrow at 7.30pm.