Churchill fight to run and run

PROTEST . . . the newly-formed Churchill Playing Fields Action Group at the Saddleworth and Lees District Partnership

Saddleworth & Lees District Partnership
THE chairman of Saddleworth Runners has warned that the fight isn’t over after a last-ditch protest to save the Churchill fields running track proved unsuccessful last night.

Club members waved placards as councillors arrived at the Saddleworth and Lees District Partnership meeting at Diggle Band Club.

But their efforts were not enough to sway opinion as councillors voted to pledge their support to the project and give the nod for the next stage of development.

After a lively discussion partnership members agreed that the planned phase one of the £300,000 project, to carry out a drainage overhaul, would go ahead.

Runners chairman Jill Davies said: “I am worried. There did seem to be positive soundings that they would be open to modifications, but I’m not entirely convinced anything will come of it.

“We’re hoping to still have that influence on how the pitches will be laid out, or how a track could be accommodated further down the line. The fight isn’t over.”

Another runner said it had been a whirlwind decision, while another simply said it was “awful.”

“People don’t realise that the runners help organise events like junior cross country and the Saddleworth Olympics which sees thousands of children take part,” said Tim Lord, another member.

Support for the plans came in the form of Terry Flanagan, from Saddleworth Rangers, who said the rugby league club had been paying its dues for the past 30 years and backed the decision.

Councillor Brian Lord said problems had stemmed back over 50 years, while Councillor Richard Knowles assured locals that the partnership was committed to the Saddleworth Show and that hard-standing would be incorporated to accommodate heavy vehicles at such events.

Giant tanks were however described as “a no-no.”

Councillor John McCann, who chaired last night’s meeting, said: “The fields are getting worse year after year and it will eventually return to a bog. Now we have plenty of time to look at and feed in ideas when the initial works are complete.”