Path to be regenerated in Wince Brook

Photo: Google, DigitalGlobe

Wince Brook in Middleton

Funding has been approved to regenerate the path from Kirkway in Wince Brook, Middleton.

The request for funding was made in May and has been approved by Councillors June West, Donna Martin and Malcolm Boriss.

Following the demolition of Ramsden Farm, after it was purchased from Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council, some of the bricks blocked the farm's well. As a result of the water flowing downhill, the area around bridge one is always wet, becoming a quagmire after heavy or persistent rainfall, deterring anybody who doesn't have a pair of boots.

When asked if part of the path could be repaired, Ranger Mike Cummings replied: “'The path will be improved by raising the height by around 100mm using treated timber boards and filled with crushed stone which will be compacted to give a solid surface the same as the path off Kirkway. It is not an easy job due to poor access and will require wheel-barrows and buckets as there is no chance of getting machinery on to this section'.

A spokesperson for the Friends of Wince Brook said: “We are delighted that the decision to proceed has been approved by the councillors, who have been very supportive of the Friends from the start in June 2011.

“The £400+ cost would be considerably more were it not for Mike and a lot of help from the Green Volunteers, who are going to finish the work before winter. This will attract more people to walk through Wince Brook, which has been described recently as a 'little oasis'.”

A Council spokesperson confirmed: “We are funding an improvement of a strip of footpath (non-designated) between an existing right of way and some raised duckboards. The work is being carried out by RMBC Rangers and the Green Volunteer team.

"This short stretch of around 10 metres becomes very muddy after rain and apparently deters some walkers from making the rest of the walk which is very nice.

"The path will consist of timber edging boards and crushed aggregate.”