River re-opening project nears completion

Date published: 31 May 2016

For over a century the River Roch in the centre of Rochdale was hidden, running through a culvert in the heart of the town centre, but the project to re-open the River Roch is now nearing completion.

The idea of opening up the river was talked about for decades and in 2011 Peter Rowlinson, then Rochdale Borough Council’s Head of Planning and Regulation, began to look at it seriously. He described the concept of re-opening the river as a “wonderful project” which is “deliverable”.

The idea was given a significant boost with backing from The Environment Agency and with support from the Council’s Highways and Bridges teams, the Rochdale Cultural Heritage Group (ROCH), town centre traders and the then Leader of the Council, Councillor Colin Lambert, funding bids were submitted and planning permission granted.

In early 2014 a design was chosen after architects, one from as far afield as Canada, submitted plans.

However, doubt was cast on whether the project would go ahead when Colin Lambert was ousted as leader of the Council and Councillor Richard Farnell took his place. Councillor Farnell expressed serious doubts about the wisdom and financial viability of the project and for a time it appeared the Roch would remain covered.

Looking towards Number One Riverside

Cue a concerted campaign by town centre hairdresser Greg Couzens who, like other supporters, thought the river not being opened would be "disasterous" for the town centre.

Mr Couzens set about winning public support and lobbied councillors and town centre traders and asked traders and members of the public to email the Council Leader direct, much to the wrath of Councillor Farnell.

Mr Couzens said: "The original proposal of opening three sections of the river had everybody's seal of approval but an abrupt cancellation came from Richard Farnell.

"I started a campaign to gain public support; leaflets and posters were distributed to every business in the town centre inviting people to send Richard Farnell their thoughts, and I believe in excess of 3,000 emails were sent."

At the time, Councillor Farnell said: "It’s an expensive scheme costing £5million, of which we hope to cover half of that amount in grants. The other half will have to be paid by the local council taxpayer. The proposal is to borrow this sum, which will cost Rochdale council taxpayers around £200,000 a year for the next 40 years. That money would keep open a library, fund 30 school crossing patrols or help us support around 40-50 elderly persons to live independently at home. These are the difficult choices we have to make.”

Late in 2014 a revised proposal, which was expected to cost the council up to £1m less than the previous plan, was approved, with support from the Environment Agency which said that removing the culvert would reduce the risk of flooding.

Mr Couzens believes public opinion turned around the decision.

Under the new plans, a section of the river in front of Barclays Bank at the bottom of Yorkshire Street would be re-opened, alongside another section on the other side of Yorkshire Street in front of HSBC.

Ironically, though the project was cut from from three openings to two on the grounds of cost saving, Mr Couzens says he understands the two openings have cost more than the original plan of three openings. 

A very happy Greg Couzens

Having received a £1.2m Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant, work began in March 2015 with the site being cleared and hoardings erected.

By the end of 2015, the project was progressing well with sections of the bridge repaired on both sides, using the same stone which was used to construct the bridge originally (millstone grit). A new walkway outside HSBC had been strengthened and new York stone paving had been installed across The Butts.

Into 2016 and specialist stonemasons continued the bridge repairs and work continued on the riverbed to improve its biodiversity and enable it to attract more wildlife.

Originally planned to be completed in May the project is slightly behind schedule and will now be finished in June.

A celebration event to mark the re-opening of the river and its historic bridge will take place on 25 June.

The event will showcase Rochdale’s artistic tradition, its great heritage and its exciting future, with a full programme of performances by local groups including Skylight Circus, Can’t Dance Can, the Rochdale Rock Choir and Touchstones Creative writing Group.

The fascinating history of Rochdale town centre, including its historic bridge, can be explored on a walk led by a blue badge guide.

There’ll be plenty to keep the young ones entertained, from trying their hand at Victorian games and dressing up, ​​meeting the Rochdale Goblin, with story teller Professor Jigget, a traditional helter skelter and carousel rides. They can also find out more about what lurks beneath the surface of the river with Nature Ed wildlife and an orienteering workshop.

The bridge to Yorkshire Street

Re-opening the river has been controversial with critics questioning the cost and the benefit to the town, and a lot of ire has been directed at Mr Couzens as some questioned the motivation behind his "crusade". He is adamant that he simply wants what is best for Rochdale.

He said: "The whole project is now nearing completion and we have our river opening, the only town in Greater Manchester with an open river.

"I feel that this will be the catalyst to regenerating our town centre, cafe-bar culture, more businesses opening, the night time economy will grow, this is great for our town.

"No doubt Richard Farnell and Simon Danczuk will be basking in the success whilst cutting the ribbon on the 25 June -  one thing is for sure, I won't be going too near the edge on that day in fear of being pushed in."

Happy as he clearly is to see the current project near completion, Mr Couzens has now set his sights on more of the river being uncovered.

He added: "I strongly believe that this is only phase one. Phase two will be to open more of the river, not only to help alleviate the flooding but imagine how majestic an open river flowing in front of our magnificent Town Hall with a bridge to the Memorial Gardens would be."

Photos © Journeaux
 www.journeaux.org