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

2019-02-17 12:26:47 +0000

IMPORTANT meeting with Network Rail Friday 15th February Terry Strictland promised to review the status of the part of the fence that serves no purpose with a view to downgrading it. He promised he would consider either removing it, changning it to chain fence, timber and wire or something else more in keeping in 12 months after the last trespass incident on December 7th. He said 'Chris [Pye] won't like taking it down [the man who put it in] but we will consider it. NR also promised to look at some re planting and also community money by way of an apology.

Thank you for all your support. That fence is going. Some national press about this next week more later.

2019-02-07 20:48:03 +0000

pls share and do whatever you do with social media

https://www.facebook.com/saddleworthfriends/photos/a.2056921691196166/2231061793782154/?type=3&theater

2019-02-07 13:49:21 +0000

We have a meeting with Network Fail, sorry Rail in the next few days. Anyone got any messages for them? Please send them here or on facebook and we will make sure they get them - https://www.facebook.com/groups/suzi500/permalink/2189363584726278/

2018-12-21 18:55:58 +0000

please have a listen - help you get a bit more Christmassy!:

https://www.facebook.com/saddleworthfriends/posts/2203232153231785?__xts__[0]=68.ARBQPJQLf3B77S7uQAPgufYBzlbEA2SswEXqjWloLw0UJFylyrXJ76jkORKIL-arUt6rWwYaLSs0dl4lqF9g3E2ghc-O1l8oVyjiJfuRg_px_pV6RdMI6j4YylfkzBOflQZTObbpYgcBxUs1dUM2S9uz2TPlU-k_dMj7qFEjxMVD7Q2IaN0lSPIEw5eKna1_IP3RwaheSlnfw3Df-pAT2BVAQ6i8rst7x5hm1smyyPg14KNiaRAIG34aq5sTKuJYLWVt1SCUgYtdfMcaKk7a1xsgHwNQsinf1CVxHp5zz0GcTOa798tpKYHjUMnujBNAa18UXG303jjd-S7dGe5GXoMaNH1x&__tn__=-R

2018-12-21 18:09:41 +0000

To celebrate Christmas we have a Caption competition - please join in:

https://www.facebook.com/saddleworthfriends/photos/a.2056921691196166/2203213459900321/?type=3&theater

2018-12-21 18:04:26 +0000

https://www.facebook.com/saddleworthfriends/photos/a.2056921691196166/2203117019909965/?type=3&theater

pls share

2018-12-21 18:03:59 +0000

As Network Rail put up yet more fences by a Listed Building in a Conservation Area we have to ask:

Is it not a good idea to send a proper surveyor down first?

MERRY CHRISTMAS! And thanks for all your support!

477 Friends of Saddleworth

2018-12-20 22:02:43 +0000

Network Rail are not alone in Pointless Fence Production:

https://www.facebook.com/saddleworthfriends/posts/2202740336614300?__xts__[0]=68.ARBDh1J1yx9qpgerbzLNq3nm8ghdPETWIEqtpH4eMYsA42bDlRRGB47bLmrli4eF1e-Vvz4L0mH-38psBQpxrshNYfDFpob_eJa3PmGG8CI1Uo2B8HbphHIUwoK7zfO4luS05tWE2-cbZRvK_pR2AvLlfZ_OYv9huUmfabqZbq2UeSi1Wt28N0yYduLE7YxMuOB8d3w6Qr6U2YwjRObF173eZPCynZzlpeIQiFHy1vHBgw3dUvkwOdzszSuJPVdkbIwbzpNg4oV5QlFNfOET7rX5IWgdIchfIUDIUODXciuDHFrnh2GKZ3xrAkSoRi2pXbcBHtk&__tn__=-R-R

2018-12-18 12:03:06 +0000

Oh dear - https://www.facebook.com/saddleworthfriends/photos/a.2056921691196166/2201381963416804/?type=3&theater

'Facta, non verba' [Deeds not words)

WHAT NETWORK RAIL SAY
‘ We have learnt that we must improve our communication with local people on work that impacts them. This applies to our urgent repairs to the fence at Uppermill ... and ‘Regarding the urgent repairs to the railway boundary fence following trespass reports, I think it is important to note ...with the need to inform and update local people...'

WHAT THEY DO
Put up MORE fencing TODAY without talking to ANYONE whatsoever.

2018-12-16 14:13:33 +0000

Apparently a journalist rang Network Rail telling them there where children playing near the track behind the Pointless Fence. In over a week there was zero response.

see here https://www.facebook.com/saddleworthfriends/posts/2200300303524970?__xts__[0]=68.ARBFYp0JlvCDdjtzplVUseAa6CzSOwt23uRIUmIwDCvQa2WMj8WAW0gDjfB1BM9NpYFPRtBr_lG1SXCwNk4BJAwNaY_C0bmQqm7_Qq5hOORYc1bNSdy2d2GlVbQ7uX7ZtM5xFmLYr0wT3kOfPYi0eM5vgsbxwLJBxHzoQmsznmVrwz4AO3IcitOmp8YAiDNbP6rG8ahRKhEgs524OTt7E5mHkHhSdjDRZ7wEldRHzsI99xNNt26_DeEwAUnbNDJTnqpBN6t9ginged21tZEHgj2iNVoitI0uqvcBziZO-uFgG5kmwYl_-VORYaMILD8KM0ZrfQZfKkOco2g6zJ-PObos6HD-&__tn__=-R

2018-12-16 14:04:55 +0000

The people posting libelous and slanderous fake comments under false names have been reported to 38 degrees.

2018-12-13 09:36:48 +0000

Quick update - the Pointless Fence is on front page of Oldham Times today, a whole page on page 3 and the leader on page 12 says 'this newspapers e-mailed request for a comment from the company [on this safety matter] more than a week ago has been met... with disdain' ie no response. And that from a public body!

What the editor of the newspaper says is that Network Rail do not put safety first and that the protestors [us] have been proven right.

it also praises our 'dogged determination'.

Network Rail, it continues 'have to bite the bullet' and move the fence.

So thanks for your continued support. Please post this everywhere you can and spread the word - it helps a great deal that:

https://tinyurl.com/networkrailwrong

And the soothsayers, well, eat your words that is all we can say!

2018-12-12 16:59:30 +0000

Please take a look at this and buy Oldham Times tomorrow if you can

'We told you so' Fence protestors message to Network Rail:

https://www.theoldhamtimes.co.uk/news/17291965.we-told-you-so-fence-protesters-message-to-network-rail/?fbclid=IwAR1LtZYIiBwNwSTMmNwjVwafbOVD9sKCSkNSrM6ICObqTdbHqCjRGlMXXwY

2018-12-12 16:57:55 +0000

Please have a look at this and buy the Oldham Times tomorrow if you can.

'We told you so'. Fence protestors message to Network Rail