Historic wooden setts to be restored during Heritage Action Zone scheme

Wooden setts on King Street

King Street’s historic wooden setts will be restored as part of Rochdale centre’s Heritage Action Zone scheme, the  council has confirmed.

Mark Robinson, assistant director of economy at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “We want to find out as much about the setts as we can so we can preserve them properly and also create some interpretation around the site, to allow people to find out more about their fascinating history.

"In recent months, with the support of Historic England, we have consulted with a number of experts to help us with this task.

“Once this research is complete, we will restore the setts as part of the Heritage Action Zone scheme, which will see us complete a number of projects in historic areas like Drake street and its surrounding areas.” 

The wooden 'cobbles' were removed in late September 2016 to be preserved by Rochdale Borough Council after local artist John Cooke, started a campaign to see them uncovered.

Temporary tarmac laid upon their removal still covers the setts’ original location.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/121274/temporary-tarmac-laid-two-years-ago-still-covers-site-of-historic-wooden-setts

It is believed that the setts were originally put down because there used to be a small hospital on King Street and staff didn’t want to disturb patients with the noise of horse and carriages on stone cobbles.