Remove the Pointless Fence on Den Lane, Uppermill, Saddleworth

Just a reminder to everyone what actually happened in our little village.

The railway and fabulous viaduct [home to many bats] was built in 1849 [you can read about it here https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1068120]

There have been zero problems since. That's 169 years of okay-ness.

Network Rail came in wrecking the place, ignoring everyone, chopping down trees mid-nesting season and causing their own problems, never mind upsetting everyone.

They then blame the locals.

Well, we won't put up with that.

Thank you for your support.

And thanks again for the fantastic turnout at the Human Fence last week.

In today's local paper - https://www.facebook.com/saddleworthfriends/posts/2130803317141336

14th August
Silent protest of controversial fence at Den Lane in Uppermill
Ken Bennett Reporter

FYI

https://www.facebook.com/saddleworthfriends/photos/a.2056921691196166.1073741828.2056168661271469/2128627290692272/?type=3&theater

HUMAN FENCE
Fantastic turn out thanks for coming!

Lot's of new supporters - one new lady said 'I cannot believe what those idiots have done! Who in their right mind would put a cheap crap fence in such a beautiful place!? Can't believe how many trees they have chopped down just to put in a fence that serves no purpose whatsoever! Idiots!'

We agree. So let's get it shifted.

Please share this - https://www.facebook.com/saddleworthfriends/posts/2128580917363576

Welcome to H who just joined us making us 469.

We are in the papers at least twice this week as Network Rail stall and continue to mess us about.

https://www.facebook.com/saddleworthfriends/posts/2124671001087901

Ok here we go - This Sunday 13.50hrs next to the Pointless Fence, Den Lane Uppermill - off Moorgate Street - just one minute on foot after the houses, in between the canal and the railway. You know it you signed the petition!

https://saddind.co.uk/protestors-group-to-form-human-fence-in-ongoing-uppermill-row/

IMPORTANT URGENT!

Please keep this Sunday 13:50 hrs free - we need you to help with something very important.

Will only take ten minutes, will be a lot of fun and also will help what we are doing. Everyone is furious that after almost three months Network Rail have done nothing, zip, rien. We will not put up with that any longer.

Put it in your diary now!

Details follow.

Mr Mark Carne - just a reminder about this petition - it is to REMOVE the fence. Nothing else. For it to be MOVED. It makes it very clear on the petition which has now been sent to you. We did ask you to stop putting the fence up, but you ignored the dozens of requests to do that. Now we want it moving. We do not want it disguising with anything, we don't want any bullshit - this petition and all the people that signed it, plus the thousands that almost signed it but are with everyone on this point - want the fence MOVED.

We all look forward very much to that happening soon - so far it has taken 3 months for NOTHING TO HAPPEN whatsoever.

Could do better Mr Carne. Could do better.

https://www.facebook.com/saddleworthfriends/photos/a.2056921691196166.1073741828.2056168661271469/2121605821394419/?type=3&theater

[to the tune of Oh Come All Ye Faithful]
Why are we waiting,
Why are we waiting,
Why are we waiting
Oh why why why ... [repeat]

Hallaluja! We have had a reply from Network Rail. Having had to BADGER THEM YET AGAIN - three of us, Mary, Derek and myself, almost harrassment to get a response.

And what did they say?

'We are sorry you found you had to contact Mark Carne again .... we will respond... blah blah blah [sic.]'

What it did not say is W H E N ?

The chap we met eons ago Mr Pye was very nice.

Come on Pye - sort the bloody job out!

this was just posted on facebook:

Let's hope Network Rail get the next bit right, and not repeat the disaster on Den Lane [which we are still waiting to be put right - almost three weeks since our site meeting and still NO RESPONSE - back to their old ways already] or serious backlash will be inevitable.

https://saddind.co.uk/dont-fence-us-in-network-rail-confir…/

continued:

In the main Network Rail have already demonstrated how they operate, not listening to residents, ignoring local leaders, putting incorrect and innapropriate materials in the wrong place, trying to bully people into accepting what they do, strong arming residents using inflammatory language and claiming we are not 'trust worthy' to be consulted [that from a site visit - the bloody cheek of that idea after their behaviour!].

So we have asked them if they will 1. tell us exactly what they are doing and why 2. to do it properly this time so places like Den Lane are not wantonly destroyed, wildlife trashed.

We will let you know when we hear from them. We are in constant contact with the press who know exactly what is going on so everything is open to all.

We said all along that Network Rail's 'Slash and Burn' approach as experienced on Den Lane, Uppermill is going on all over the country.

Network Rail are planning to put up more fences in our area.

We have written to them today to ask where, when, why, what materials, are proper wildlife and ecological surveys going to be carried out, will the correct protocol with the local council be followed, will local people will be actually consulted for real this time [not like regarding Den Lane]? And a bunch more important and normal stuff.

You can read the article here https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2083319055223096&id=2056168661271469&ref=page_internal

We are in Oldham Times again today. The local council have taken matters to the secretary of state for transport after Emma and John spoke to them. They are citing serious concerns that what is happening here is happening all over the country which is what we said in the first place.