Email to Mr Nolan
Rochdale M.B.C.
Highways Department.

18th May 2005.

Dear Mr Nolan,

I have been contacted by members of the Access Forum regarding the
Emergency Closure Notice of the entire length of Woodlands Rd in the
Spodden Valley.

A number of significant matters have been raised that suggest that the
Emergency Order has a number of substantial errors:

It appears that the Walking Diversion provided for on the published map
is a route that is blocked by a 3 metre palisade fence. (It appears that this
Walking Diversion follows the route for a footpath that was diverted following
a 1995 Rochdale MBC-commissioned public enquiry.

Is this pre-1995 route to be reinstated as the Walking Diversion?

To be of assistance, scanned maps and documents are available via email.

It also appears that the fencing erected on the Woodlands Road/
Rooley Moor Rd junction is place on land registered to Rochdale MBC
and not to MMC Developments Ltd/ Rathbone Jersey Ltd. Has Rochdale
MBC entered into an arrangement with the site owners for this?

Woodland Rd is a bridleway that is linked to the Mary Townley Loop- itself
part of the Pennine Bridleway that, I understand, was created under the
authority of the First Secretary of State. Does the Walking Diversion allow
for this route to be used as a bridleway? If not, horse riders will be at a
considerable disadvantage and danger if they are forced to use the
highway as a diversion.

It is understood that Woodland Rd is used by cyclists to access the
Sustrans Cycle Network. Is there provision in the Walking Diversion
for cyclists?

If the pre-1995 route is not to be reinstated, it has been pointed out
that the footpath from Spod Road to Hollows Road (behind the Bowling Green)
is in an unsafe condition. The path has suffered from considerable erosion
and has a very unstable surface. Several people with disabilities who use
walking sticks or wheelchairs are not able to use this route. It has been
suggested that this may constitute an infringement of the Disability
Discrimination Act (DDA).

Save Spodden Valley support appropriate safeguards to ensure public
safety regarding exposed asbestos. We are extremely concerned about
the serious allegations that land had been unofficially removed from the
site in a manner that may pose a danger to the community. An Emergency
Closure Notice for a month, possibility followed by a Temporary Closure
of Woodland road for a further 18 months is significant decision. In light
of the serious allegations made by the developers in a recent press release
published on their website: http://www.spoddenvalleyregeneration.co.uk
please could the information provided by MMC Estates / Countryside Properties
be made public as a matter of urgency.

Thank you for your attention in this matter.

Jason Addy
Save Spodden Valley

This message was sent on 18th May 2005.

As of 5th June 2005 no answers have been forthcoming - not even a acknowledgement.

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STATEMENT ENDS.

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