Council Speaks Up on Woodlands Road Closure

Council Speaks Up on Woodlands Road Closure

A meeting with Rochdale Township Councillors, followed by a public meeting at Shawclough Primary School was held by Save Spodden Valley campaigners this week, after news that there had been an emergency closure of Woodlands Road, Spotland, which came about after allegations that soil had been disturbed on land that contains deadly asbestos fibres.

The closure is now in place because of a request by the site developers, MMC and Countryside Properties, and it has been announced that the road could stay closed for up to 18 months, which has caused uproar with locals, including Al Somerville, of Save Spodden Valley. In the public forum in the council chambers, Mr. Somerville said:

“I am registered as disabled; whilst I have no objection with the closing of Woodlands Road for a short period, that’s on the strict grounds of protecting public health, I have discovered serious problems with the walking diversion posted on the Emergency Closure Notice.

“The map instructs me to go up the well maintained tarmac road up to the bowling green and then right onto Hollows Lane – there is a 3 metre steel fence blocking my path!”

MMC and Countryside Properties have said that the reason for the closure was due to soil being removed from the site, which could cause a danger to local people as it contains deadly asbestos fibres. This comment has proved controversial:

“Why on earth would someone want to steal a shovel-full of soil from the site?” said Jason Addy of Spodden Valley.

“The real reason they closed that road off is so we can’t see what MMC and Countryside Properties are up to.”

Cllr. Alan Taylor, voiced his concerns about the decision to give the go ahead for the closure of the road:  “The councillors here feel just as upset about all this as you do. It upsets me that there is only one officer that has the power to make such a decision, it is a big decision and isn’t one that he should be making on his own.”

Councillor Watkins said: “I have no trust in MMC at all, they tell us one thing and do another. First they said that no asbestos was on the site, now they say it’s an accident waiting to happen. They are trying to bully the locals, they are trying to bully the council – we need them out of Rochdale as soon as possible. They don’t seem to be taking asbestos seriously.”

After the forum at the Township Meeting, Save Spodden Valley moved onto Shawclough Primary School, where Jason Addy (Save Spodden Valley) and Hilda Palmer (Greater Manchester Hazards Centre) spoke to locals in a public meeting about the dangers of asbestos, and the plans to gain support from councillors to help save the land.

Jason added: "what we are doing is a strictly non-political, community campaign. Nothing is aimed at any councillors, the criticisms that we have are towards the owners of the site, and the people who want to make money out of the site. I am grateful to all three parties for their help and support.”