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ANGRY: Joe Mitcheson and other users of Swallow’s Wood are upset over the bypass plans.
ANGRY: Joe Mitcheson and other users of Swallow’s Wood are upset over the bypass plans.

Keep your hands off beauty spot

Tom Rowley
7/ 7/2005

THE HABITAT of hundreds of animals and plants will be destroyed if plans to run Mottram bypass through a nature reserve go ahead.

These are the claims of the users of Swallow's Wood in Hollingworth who are urging planners to re-think the route of the proposed bypass.

Now the Save Swallow's Wood campaign group are calling for visitors to the reserve to log details about any wildlife they spot.

While great crested newts and watervoles are of particular interest, the group is keen to hear about all species residents and visitors from outside the area might see while walking in and around the wood and nearby Arnfield Reservoir.

Campaigner Pat Ellison, of Gamesley, said: "If the 60ft high flyover goes across the wood the wildlife and beauty will all be in danger of being lost. We want to put on record what is there before that happens."

Joe Mitcheson, of the Save Swallow's Wood group, said that if the bypass gets the go-ahead it will be a 'double whammy' for the environment.

"The wood just won't look right with a fly-over going through it and it will be noisy too. But I reckon that once the road is built the fields around it will be used for housing in future."

Wildlife sightings will be collated and passed to the Cheshire Biological Records Centre.

Draft orders are due to be published by the Highways Agency at the end of the year detailing plans for the bypass.

Following public consultations and a probable public enquiry, work could begin on site in 2007 if the inspector approves the scheme.

For a copy of the form on which to record details or to find out more about the area that will be affected visit the website - www.saveswallowswood.org.uk - or contact Emma Lawrence on 0845 226 3392.

  • Save Swallow's Wood group is organising a 4.5-long mile walk through the wood.

Ramblers who want to take part can meet at the top of Spring Street, off Market Street, Hollingworth - by the bus bays for Longdendale Community Language College - at 2pm on Sunday.


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Most recent 2 of 4 user comments

   This road is more than a bypass for the village of Mottram, it is the first stage of what can be considrered an extension to the M67, and the first part of a multi-lane trans-pennine highway which will carve it's way through the Peak District untill it reaches Sheffield. The time has come for the Government and it's citizens to decide if the future of transport in this country is to be based around private vehicles and increased road capacity. The decision on major projects like this will clearly show what kind of policies we can expect in years to come.
Daniel, Lancashire
20/06/2006 at 15:16
   It's telling that the two other comments on this page are from people from outside the area.

Longdendale is made up of three villages village - it cannot sustain this level of traffic.

The people need this bypass NOW
Philip, Hollingworth
13/02/2006 at 16:14
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