Rock Nook Mill is a “death trap”, say residents

Photo: Jonathan Thomson

Rock Nook Mill Fire in June 2015

Rock Nook Mill in Littleborough is a “death trap”, say residents.

Children have been breaking into the old derelict mill, which was badly damaged by a fire back in June last year.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/96403/mill-fire-at-rock-nook-summit-littleborough

The building has since been left unattended to and has become a cause for concern for those who live close by, who are now calling on the council to help.

Ian Shaw, who lives in Littleborough, said: “It’s been like this for a very long time now. I think the owner has just forgot about it. Whatever has happened, the place is falling apart, and the local kids can get into it. It’s a death trap, something awful is going to happen unless it gets fixed, or at least properly fenced up.”

Fellow resident Janet Pritchard said: “Nobody seems to want to do anything about it, but it really is just a matter of time. It was in a bad state of repair already, and then the fire just made it worse. I don’t understand why it has just been left as it is. The owners must know about it, and the council probably have to power to step in as it’s so dangerous.”

Councillor for Littleborough Lakeside, Janet Elmsey, is planning to bring up the issue at a council meeting tonight (20 January). She said: “We are aware that there is a problem, and as a council we are doing everything in our power to make sure it is as safe as possible.

“It really has been an ongoing saga with this mill, because it has been derelict for a long time. Of course, the longer it is derelict and unkempt, the more likely it is that the building can become dangerous.

“There was an incident with kids managing to climb inside, which of course is a very dangerous situation, so action is being taken.”

The mill has been a Littleborough landmark for nearly 130 years but has been derelict for many years.