To: Network Rail CEO Mark Carne

Remove the Pointless Fence on Den Lane, Uppermill, Saddleworth

Network Rail are putting up a galvanised steel fence in the middle of a Conservation Area.

We want them to stop, pull it down, and put it nearer to the track out of sight which is where the original one is.

Why is this important?

It is important because this fence is destroying a beautiful place that is a haven for tourists, locals and wildlife.

On May 16th work started building a fence. Nobody was consulted and noone had been informed about it. Immediately the local councillors, residents, the former mayor all objected. Their requests for a site visit were all ignored. The workers refused to give their names, their bosses contacts, where they worked from, which department. They refused any information.

Dozens of residents contacted Network Rail via their helpline along with the councillors - still no site visit and the request for the work to be stopped was ignored.

No less than thirty letters later and still no phone call nor site visit. Rather than speak to the local parish councillors to talk about a fence that would be more in keeping, and trackside where the original fence is, Network Rail sent more men with bigger machines to, as one of their workers said, 'put it up quick'.

One week later and Den Lane as it was was destroyed. And still no call from Mr Carnes office.

Network Rail had already caused a lot of damage to the area, chopping down ancient trees in the middle of the nesting season. Here on Den Lane we have bats, owls, deer, foxes, jays and lots of other wildlife. Trees had been felled directly next to the roosting site of bats.

What Network Rail have done is shocking. They are doing this all over the country and it has to stop. And it stops right here. And we hope others will join us in challenging Network Rail's 'slash and burn' approach.

NOTE IMPORTANT
Network Rail have cited cases of people and children trespassing onto the track to justify their actions. We have checked with the Police and no cases have been reported to the local Police in the last 11 years.

Also Network Rail cite vandalism [their actions are an act of vandalism in fact] as another reason for the fence. However zero cases of vandalism to the track area have ever been reported. The only 'vandalism' that has occurred was the dismantling by locals of the Pointless Fence last week. That however was not vandalism, but an act of direct protest by people who felt they were being ignored. Vandalism is the defacing of property. Dismantling a fence in protest is not vandalism.

Also the fence is entirely pointless - reason?

You can access the line easily on the other side of the track from the bridleway. That is in fact where the fence needs to be built.

Mark Carne CEO Network Rail has wasted £30,000 of public money on...

The Pointless Fence.

And unfortunately for the residents of Uppermill, they have also wrecked Den Lane in the process.

How it will be delivered

via social media and in person using a mobile device in the location

e-mail

press conference also

Maps © Stamen; Data © OSM and contributors, ODbL

Links

Campaign Facebook Page

Updates

2024-07-30 12:48:43 +0100

it has been a while.

Balfour Beatty have been given about or are to be given £15m to work on the rail line that runs down Den Lane. Question is how much of that will be used to protect the wildlife in the area?

We know there are bats in the viaduct and they must be protected by law. Let's see industry best practice in this rather than what happened last time Network Rail bulldozed through Saddleworth. I understand they have done this again north of Bolton towards Wigan, another disaster. Whatever happens they will be under heavy scrutiny here to make sure they behave properly and protect where we live and the wildlife therein.

Anyway here is clear evidence of Network Rail lying before your very eyes. Please like and share as much as you can. Enjoy the sunshine!

https://www.facebook.com/saddleworthfriends/videos/1018108746582938

2023-09-06 14:50:05 +0100

pls like and share

https://www.facebook.com/saddleworthfriends/posts/pfbid02jb124v4BA82sLmjQF5KiPKLpioY367SHvg979B147Qv3yHW2my6mSufjWz9TCwzfl

2023-09-06 14:44:02 +0100

cont.

The invasive weed has now taken over the place. It needs removing before the seeds are dispersed which is soon.

Can you please make sure this happens as was promised. The place really is a mess and one of our team will send you some photos shortly that show how bad it has become.

Because of what has happened – the chances of other plants and trees taking root and filling the space left by your felling and clearing is unlikely to happen as the Balsam takes all the light. This also reduces biodiversity.

Please do what you can and do it now – this has been going on now for several years and your staff have not delivered, yet, on their promises – there is time for them to do this

Sincerely,

John Matthews on behalf of

512 Friends of Saddleworth

2023-09-06 14:43:51 +0100

Here was the latest letter sent Aug 2nd - no satisfactory response - yet:

Good morning Mr Haines – I’ll be brief and I hope this e-mail finds you well.

Your staff promised, a considerable time ago now, to remove the Himalayan Balsam that has taken over where your staff removed vegetation to put up a steel fence in a beauty spot on Den Lane, Uppermill.

That work has never happened in spite of Councillor Sam AlHamdani contacting them regularly over a long period of time.

2023-09-06 14:42:22 +0100

Well everyone -another year, another mass of Himalayan Balsam has taken over where Network Rail took out the undergrowth.

We do have an action plan that we intend to put into action.

And we are not letting Network Rail off the hook.

The place is a real mess now an is crying out to be re-wilded.

We will keep you posted.

512 Friends of Saddleworth

2022-12-20 16:51:55 +0000

ERR THERE IS NO PART 3!

Merry Christmas from 512 Friends of Saddleworth

2022-12-20 16:51:25 +0000

PART 2

Dear Mr Haines,

The Friends of Saddleworth would like to wish you and your staff a Merry Christmas.

Whilst here we would like to take the opportunity to let you know that your staff have still not fulfilled promises made to the people of Saddleworth. For several years now.

In the new year we will remind you of those unfulfilled promises and reassurances made in person by Mr Strickland and his staff. We will also ask for them to be delivered.

In the meantime please accept our best wishes of peace and happiness as this most difficult of years draws to a close.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

John, Mary, Norma, Graham and Sam
Of the 512 Friends of Saddleworth

Ps photo below is of this beautiful valley which we all strive to protect. The colour one is of Dobcross, one of the prettiest villages, which looks particularly spectacular at Christmas
[beautiful pictures were attached]

2022-12-20 16:51:12 +0000

IN 3 PARTS

Hi there everyone and a Merry Christmas. We have not been in touch a while however we want you to know we have just sent the letter below to the boss of Network Rail. It has been many years now and Network Rail STILL HAVE NOT FULFILLED PROMISES they made to the people of Saddleworth.

In fact an agreement was come to between them and councillor Sam Al Hamdani - that Network Rail then reneged on.

As you read the letter - you will see what we intend to do. We do not accept that Den Lane should be left in the state it is now in and we will make sure that it is restored to its former beauty:

2020-12-22 05:37:45 +0000

Please like and share - Letter sent to Andrew Haines CEO of Network Rail and his subordinate Terry Strickland:

'[email protected]'; '[email protected]'

https://www.facebook.com/saddleworthfriends/posts/2764185410469787

Why not drop them a line too and tell them what you think 1. of what they have done and 2. their lying and lack of action on their promises?

Oh and welcome to our new members - incredibly we are now 510 strong!

2020-12-22 05:28:45 +0000

Please like and share - Letter sent to Andrew Haines CEO of Network Rail and his subordinate Terry Strickland:

'[email protected]'; '[email protected]'

https://www.facebook.com/saddleworthfriends/posts/2764185410469787

Why not drop them a line too and tell them what you think 1. of what they have done and 2. their lying and lack of action on their promises?

Oh and welcome to our new members - incredibly we are now 510 strong!

2020-10-17 15:46:43 +0100

welcome to our new members including Sophia

hello!

please get involved as much as you can and stand up the vandals that are Network Rail

2020-10-17 15:43:25 +0100

this has just been posted on the facebook page - please like and share:

https://www.facebook.com/saddleworthfriends/posts/2709598495928479

it is a letter to the CEO of Network Rail [who has never to this day replied] asking when he is going to sort Den Lane which is now completely over run with himalayan balsam.

509 Friends

2020-08-05 10:22:18 +0100

a big welcome to our new members - thanks for joining us

please like and share this - Network Rail are back in the area carrying on the disaster they started on Den Lane where they disturbed bat roosting sites and chopped down trees in the middle of nesting season - so clearly they have learnt nothing from there experience here

https://tinyurl.com/notasingleanimal

2020-06-25 20:29:52 +0100

please like and share - Network Fail are coming back - mid-nesting season again:

https://www.facebook.com/saddleworthfriends/posts/2616491591905837?__tn__=-R

2020-05-19 15:52:47 +0100

Hi everyone! Hope you are not going too nuts in the Covid Era! Erin a member of the group has asked me to share this with you - this is something that will keep your kids occupied for a bit. She wants you all to ask your kids to join in and paint something to go on the fence - flowers, trees, animals [bats] all the creatures and wild things that live and grow on Den Lane. Please share with all your friends - https://tinyurl.com/fencepaint

You can either put the picture directly on the fence or leave in the box which is by the viaduct and one of the group will put it up.

Note - it's best if you laminate it first!

Thanks for all your support.

506 Friends of Saddleworth