Background Information
Moston Brook has natural beauty and historical significance, and in the past helped power the Industrial Revolution. The valley winds itself through several wards inclucing Moston, Chadderton & Failsworth, and the Rochdale canal also runs through it, from Morrisons in Chadderton to Tesco’s in Failsworth. Nowadays, it’s badly neglected and undervalued. Consequently, it's only popular with dog walkers, fly tippers and off road bikers!
In our neighbourhood, Moston Brook abuts properties on Belgrave road, here the area is known locally as the “White Stuff” or “Wrigley Head”. [See attached Map] Many residents access the Brook here, and use it as a cut through to Oldham road, whilst others walk along the canal tow path to either Tesco’s or Morrisons Supermarkets.
The appalling state of the area and the continued use of the land by off road bikers led NEPHRA representatives, to lobby Moston councillors and members of the Local Area Partnership to highlight, the plight of the Brook.
Joint Working between Manchester & Oldham Councils
Councillor Paul Murphy took up the cudgel and because the brook straddles both Manchester and Oldham, arranged a series of meetings with councillors form Oldham City Council. As a result of this hard work and joint working between councillors, Leaders of Manchester City Council and Oldham Borough Council have now joined forces to help clean-up Moston Brook.
Initially, the both council's, pooled funding, each coming up with £20,000, to help kick start improvements to areas bordering the brook. Sir Richard Leese and Councillor Dave Jones committed their respective councils, Manchester and Oldham, to work together to improve the brook. The £40,000 is being used to conduct a thorough survey of the brook to establish priorities for action and further funding bids.
The joint working between the two councils is an exciting venture and Councillor Paul Murphy, chair of Irk Valley Steering Group, said: "The City Council are determined that these issues are tackled, allowing the brook to live up to its full potential as an important part of North Manchester's green corridor. We're delighted that our colleagues in Oldham share that determination." Moston Brook is part of a 'green corridor' under Manchester City Council's Irk Valley Local Plan, a vision for improving North Manchester's open spaces and linking them as a regional park system.
City Council leader Sir Richard Leese said: "Greater Manchester authorities have an excellent record of working together towards common goals and this is another strong example. I welcome Oldham's commitment in joining us to make the most of Moston Brook." Whilst Councillor David Jones, leader of Oldham Council, said: "Moston Brook is an area which is enjoyed by many thousands of people. This work will ensure the quality of the area is maintained and enhanced, and will enable local people to use a decent green space."
Moston Brook Steering Group & Officers Joint Working Group
All of this was way back in 2006/7. Since that time a steering group made up with councillors, officers and residents, from both Manchester & Oldham, as well as representatives from a wide variety of other relevant agencies, has been formed. It meets regularly to spearhead the direction of this huge piece of work. In addition, an Officers Working Group has been established, made up from a dedicated team of officers from both Manchester & Oldham councils, as well as staff from Groundwork Oldham & Manchester.
This group has worked very hard on our behalf, initially, identifying the many sources of pollution on the Brook, and later, consulting with residents and other relevant agencies to produce an aspirational Landscape Plan. Contaminated land is suspected to be a core contributor to water quality problems faced at Moston Brook. The Environment Agency currently uses an A (very good) to F (bad) rating system for watercourses, Moston Brook is F rated and is one of the poorest watercourses in the country. Therefore, investigations to identify and secure funds to put in place appropriate remediation activities are an important part of the Moston Brook Project.
Anyone wanting find out more or get involved with this exciting project should contact Cath Keane of North Manchester Regeneration Team on 07852 957306 or Mhorag Gardiner of Groundwork Oldham and Rochdale on 07879 035994. Alternatively you can contact Laura Jagota–Groundwork Manchester on 0161 220 1000 or email Laura.Jagota@groundwork.org.uk.
Report - from Moston Brook Steering Group 26th March 08.
6.30pm Simpson Memorial
The on site consultation which took part on Saturday November 10th 07, decided a £25,000 grant from Greening Greater Manchester, should be used by Groundwork to improve paths and entrances to the Brook.
To this end in December 07 & January 08, new paths were laid from Wrigley Head through to Hale lane. The paths have been welcomed by local residents, who can now use this part of the Brook without fear of slipping in the mud! NEPHRA had also been lobbying for this path to be laid for some time, and are pleased to report, because of this work, we have, with the help of an NHS funded Health Worker, established a weekly Walking Group. Details of which can be found in our activities section.
Part of the funding was used to improve safety, by thinning trees and bushes at a number of entrances to the Brook, and in the next few weeks much awaited new barriers will be erected at several access points to the Brook.
The final draft of the Landscaped Plan will be available by Monday 31st March and it will posted here as soon as NEPHRA receives it.
Oldham Borough Council has announced funds have been made available for a dedicated Ranger for Moston Brook. This is fantastic news, and we are reliably informed the person should be in post by late Spring Early Summer! So well done & thank you Oldham.
We Need Your Help
As part of the redevelopment process we hope to record the memories of people who have lived and worked around the Brook. Your memories & photographs are an integral part of the area’s social history, and brought together, will paint a wonderful picture of the Brook and the people who have lived their lives in its midst.
If you can remember anything about the Brook – memories of playing there, what it used to look like, what industry was there, the changes your life has been through and how the Brook has changed too! Then please ring 07745 502 526 and share your memories with us, your help will be greatly appreciated.
Residents have already proved that by working together we can make a real difference and with your help we can achieve much, much more!
Steering Group - Date of Next Meeting - Cancelled 13th May 08
The next meeting of the Moston Brook Steering Group will be Wednesday 14th May 08. We meet this time at the New Life Church, Failsworth - 6.30pm. Please come along and give your support.
New Date Set......
The new date for the next Steering Group meeting is Tuesday 27th May at the New Life Church, Thorley Street Failsworth M35 9PA starting at 7pm. Everybody welcome.