The cavalry return to the Spodden Valley!

July 2005

Horse riders have welcomed the full reopening of the Woodlands Rd bridleway in the
Spodden Valley . The road was closed in controversial circumstances in May this year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Landowners MMC Developments said on Countryside Properties' website that the road
was to be closed for up to 19 months.

As reported previously (see news archives), following a concerted effort by local people
and much heated debate in the Council Chamber, the Head of Highways,
Donald Forrester, ordered that the road be reopened.

Head of Planning and Regulation Ken Smith went on BBC GMR radio to say that the
road should be open so that local people could monitor activity on the site of what was
the world's largest asbestos textile factory. Mr Smith also commented at the May 25th
Rochdale Township meeting that he had felt ‘ kicked in the teeth' by the way the
developers had acted over demanding the road closure.

Last month the Spodden Valley was the subject of a Parliamentary adjournment
debate that heard Paul Rowen MP accuse the developers of ‘ ducking and diving'
and ‘ being less than honest' with the local community and decision makers.

Although Woodlands Rd was officially opened in June, on the day the Emergency Order
lapsed, stone blocks were placed at both entrances of Woodlands road that prevented
horses passing safely through. The past 5 weeks has seen lobbying to ensure the
entrances were made wider and safer for horses to pass through.

Save Spodden Valley co-ordinator Jason Addy welcomed the landowners' move to
fully reopen the bridleway but was perplexed as to why it has taken so long.

“ Woodlands Rd id a recognised bridleway that links North West Rochdale to
Healey Dell and the Mary Townley Loop to the Pennine moors. This is an example
of the amenity value the Spodden Valley has for everyone”.

“The moves by the developers to deny walkers, cyclists and horse riders access to
the valley has galvanised a number of groups to support the Save Spodden Valley
campaign.”

“Thanks must go out to the footpath, rambling and horse riding groups that have
vigorously lobbied to get Woodlands Rd fully opened. We have had cross party
support in this- thanks once again to everyone, including Paul Rowen MP, Cllr.
Tom Stott and keen horse rider Cllr. Ann Metcalf. Such resolve shows that when
a community comes together, common sense can prevail.”

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STATEMENT ENDS.

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