Shawclough & Healey June 2021

Combined police operations involving
GMP and Lancashire Police supported by
the Bury Police Off-Road Unit has resulted
in an increasing number of seizures
and confiscations in recent months. In
order to support enforcement activities,
local landowners, farmers, Councillors
from several Wards within Rochdale
and other local authority areas have
combined forces to donate and raise
funds for the installation of fencing and
other obstacles, designed to inhibit illegal
use. In addition to funding obtained our
local affected Wards and landowners,
the project has had financial backing
from the Duchy of Lancaster and the
Greater Manchester High Sheriff’s Fund
as well as Rochdale and Bury Bridleways
Association.
This important local initiative is designed
to make our moors a safer place for
Commoners and legitimate users and
will, in time, contribute to the preservation
and restoration of our local environment.
It is not legal to use our moors for off-road
motorcycling of 4x4 driving and many
of the protagonists are aware of this;
this is why so many of the apprehended
bikes and the vans which transport them
are untaxed, uninsured, have no MOT,
and eradicated vehicle identification
information. Those who wish to pursue
off-roading can always take advantage
of facilities such as Cowm Leisure in
Whitworth, where, for a very modest
sum, they can pursue their pastime in
safe surroundings without damaging
the environment or the enjoyment of
others. This scheme would not have been
possible without the support of GMP
officers, landowners, Ward Councillors,
working together with Rooley Moor
Neighbourhood Forum, Rochdale and
Bury Bridleways Association and several
Commoners coming together to focus on
this pressing local issue.
The project would not have been possible
without the assistance of Officers
from Rochdale`s Township Office and
particularly our Rights of Way Officer,
Julie Simpson.
Nigel Morrell
Visit our website www.streetwisemag.co.uk for all the info about the Streetwise magazines
33