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

2018-06-20 12:37:34 +0100

Well finally last night we got a site visit from Network Rail after almost 5 weeks of continuous requests.

The predominant tone was negative, virtually every suggestion negated instantly including felled trees to be replaced, hedges to be planted behind the fence so that eventually the fence could be removed, a sensible idea. Sensible but 'no' was reply.

However two ideas were put forward, and whilst the man who signed off the fence may or may not have been present, one Network Rail employee was clearly listening and taking note. And he was the decision maker. So we have written to Mark Carne this morning with a summary. We should hear back within a few weeks if not earlier.

Less than 40 people attended the community meeting and every single one asked for the fence to be removed. They all cited concerns about incorrect materials and damage to wildlife.

2018-06-15 10:40:12 +0100

OK thanks for that spot on that is sorted!

We may have a site visit apparently one of our team just rang me - will let you know.

Gosh things take forever when it comes to Network Rail!

Why make it so complicated? Just come down, we won't bite!

2018-06-14 21:42:20 +0100

Ok that has not worked - we deffo need minimum of three people next tue from 1500 - 1830hrs - can you be one of them?

This is no joke. We need your help - youve signed the petition now its time do actually do somat too please contact me on [email protected] it is most important.

sincerely,

458 Friends of Saddleworth

2018-06-14 19:43:11 +0100

Can you come down to Civic Centre Uppermill 3pm ro 630pm Tue 19th to make sure that Network Rail do not leave us forever with the Pointless Ugly Fence? Pls make contact via [email protected] immedately. We need at least three people.

The only question we need to ask for 3.5 hours non stop is "Why have you not built the fence trackside which would prevent anyone and anything getting onto the track?"

2018-06-13 22:42:25 +0100

we had a call today from Network Rail.

Still no date for a site visit.

My golly how difficult is it?

Just come over - we have something to show you!

2018-06-13 10:37:46 +0100

One more thing newcomers - please ask neighbours and friends who live in the area to go and take a look and then sign the petition

The more people join the already 457 the more common sense will prevail.

Do not allow Network Rail off the hook - they have made a mistake, they are a public body and they are accountable. They cannot just do what they want. Look at the papers everywhere - yesterday again Network Fail. Again more stories of wrecked habitats for wildlife in spite of the Government asking them to STOP chopping down trees several weeks ago.

https://www.facebook.com/saddleworthfriends/photos/a.2056921691196166.1073741828.2056168661271469/2067829010105434/?type=3&theater

lots of info pictures films and facts here pls share and like:

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

2018-06-13 09:33:15 +0100

If you cannot make it please write to Mark Carne immediately and ask him why still no site visit and why the 1830 cut off when most people who live and work here commute

Mark Carne CBE CEO Network Rail
[email protected]
0207 557 8000

2018-06-13 09:31:16 +0100

QUESTIONS FOR NETWORK RAIL CONTINUED

6. Why have you chopped down trees thirty feet away from the track?

7. When was the bat survey done?

8. When was the ecological survey done?

9. Can we have the reports?

2018-06-13 09:30:36 +0100

Still no news of site visit but Network Rail are sending people to 'talk about safety ' of the fence next Tue Uppermill Civic Hall 1500 - 1830 hrs. [commuters won't make it]

We don't want this - we want a site visit.

Please attend, tell them your thoughts.

Tell them the fence has not made it safer & also ask these questions - they are going to dodge issue of wrecking Den Lane, try & justify actions when in fact what they have done was not necessary:

QUESTIONS

1. Why have you not put the fence trackside which would stop anyone or anything from getting on the track?

2. Why did you not stop work when the community & councillors asked you to stop?

3. Why have the residents & councillors of Uppermill still not had site visit in spite of asking continuously for 4 weeks, 3 times this last week?

4. Why have you used stock fencing in a conservation area? Why not repair drystone wall?

5. Why are you offering to plant plants – are you admitting it looks unsightly?

2018-06-12 17:00:33 +0100

We have had a reply from Network Rail today but they have STILL NOT ARRANGED A SITE VISIT.

We have been asking for a site visit now for OVER A MONTH

How many times are we going to have to ask?

We want a site visit - it is dead simple

At the site visit the lunacy will be all very obvious.

2018-06-08 17:19:42 +0100

These people below [probably one person tbh] have been reported to 38 degrees just so you know - perhaps you could remove yourself/ves from the petition in honorouble fashion

Fake petition F.

Matt John = fake petition F.

Look how easy it is to falsify C.

The petition is legitimate and is hosted by 38 degrees to be clear.

2018-06-08 16:26:15 +0100

... plus please ask friends family neighbours who know and love the place to sign the petition right now

lots of information here you can use and share, films, photos, facts,

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

Todays factoids:

453 signed the petition to remove fence on Den Lane. That's 6.5% Uppermill population and 16.5 times number of households on Den Lane.

2018-06-08 16:23:21 +0100

Fantastic everyone now at 453 people.

Couple of things - Uppermill Community would not accept this as a post so please post it everywhere you can - The song was sent in by Glen who comes to Uppermill with his family regularly. I promised the Diggle Blues Festival guys we would plug their event this weekend - https://tinyurl.com/fencesong

Also we have written to Mark Carne this week, twice, to ask for a site visit on your behalf. No name of any person so far, no date, no phone number, nuffin! So we've asked again. And will keep asking.

If you have not written to Carne please do so his details are on updates here.

Enjoy the weekend - 600 here we come!

2018-06-06 18:42:57 +0100

... and one more thing - ask friends and family and neighbours who know and love the place to sign the petition

there are only 27 households on Den Lane - our petition is already SIXTEEN TIMES THAT number in a very short period.

Keep it up - working together we will get some common sense out of the situation

more films for the newcomers:

https://www.facebook.com/saddleworthfriends/posts/2057991837755818

https://www.facebook.com/saddleworthfriends/videos/2056271781261157/

2018-06-06 18:39:19 +0100

just a reminder:

Mark Carne CEO Network Rail

[email protected]

0207 557 8000

do not waste your time on the national 'help' line - help is the last thing you will get trust us