Improvements to Rights of Way footpaths

Norden bridge repairs and installation of metal handrails

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The Rights of Way Forum at One Riverside on 23 February was attended by walking groups, bridleway associations, Friends of Hollingworth Lake, United Utilities, and council staff from Planning and Environmental Management.

Roy Thorniley, Footpath and Countryside Secretary for the Rochdale Ramblers, said: “We were provided with a list and photographs of improvements to 27 Rights of Way completed between December and February.

“There were some major improvements which included a bridge replacement, some large areas of re-surfacing, along with various other works.

“We were told that the Right of Way budget for the year was £130,586 and to the end of January 2017 they had spent £114,800 so a small overspend was anticipated.

“The Planning officers informed us that the new draft 'Definitive Map' will be completed by the end of March 2017. It has taken three years to produce because  the last map was drawn up in 1976 and the team had to go through 40 years of archived legal documents.

“There are still 60-80 path anomalies to be resolved with the legal team and then there is the formal process to go through.”

Martin Taylor, Rochdale Council Head of Environmental Management, said “We’re dedicated to improving the borough for all and particularly ensuring the safety of the public, the works carried out over the past six months are testament to this.”

Improvements to Rights of Way/Footpaths

• Bond Street, Syke, Bridleway reported 8/12/16.
• Furbarn Lane leading down from Elmsfield Avenue to Redfearn Cottages potholes filled.
• Broad Lane, Kingsway Mill: General surface repairs and overgrown vegetation cutback.
• Teal Court: Cut back overgrown vegetation, scrape surface mud, clear blocked drains, 60 tonnes new stone – two week job for two man team to make completely overgrown and neglected path for decades useable again.
• Rochdale Road East rebuild Rights of Way surface.
• Elbut Lane culvert repair.
• Starring Lane: Remove old rusted and install new post and sign.
• Wardle: Various Rights of Way signs replacements.
• Whitworth Road, fill hole right of way.
• Paperhouse and another further down Norden bridge repairs and installation of metal handrails on safety grounds to existing bridge where lots of people having slips and falls.
• Rooley Moor Road: Repair vandalised marker post.
• Edward Street/Birch Road Wardle, clear blocked culvert.
• Make safe root damage on Right of Way.
• Albury Drive to Shawfield: install sleeper steps on slope.
• Rochdale Road East: (between Heywood Cemetery and Heywood): build new walkway. Cut back brambles various locations.
• Healey Primary school: stone up muddy footpath and compact.
• Rooley Moor Road: Clear various culverts and run-offs blocked.
• Stakehill: remove dangerous trip hazards steps to canal.
• Highlands Road, Rochdale: Cut back badly overgrown vegetation, scrape back mud, import 40 tonnes stone chip and roll.
• Furbarn Lane, Rochdale: pothole repairs and 20 tonnes new stone.
• Blackstone Edge / Halifax Rd Lydgate cut back overgrown vegetation.
• Oulder Hill Drive near cemetery: drains cleared of debris.
• Plumpton Hall: drain cleared.
• Newhey (off Huddersfield Road) concrete strip.
• Swaindrod Lane extensive resurfacing.
• Birtle bridleway repair flags on bridge.
• Near Lower Clough, Ashworth Valley, re-construct culvert.