Kirkholt footpath cleaned up

Path between Gerrard Street and Oldham Road

A footpath between Kirkholt and Oldham Road has been cleaned-up and improved following complaints from local residents that the path was muddy, overgrown, and littered with fly-tipped waste.

The 200m path runs parallel to the M62 motorway and is a significant shortcut from Gerrard Street onto Oldham Road. It is well used by schoolchildren from St Cuthbert's and residents accessing public transport and businesses.

Rochdale Council’s Clean & Green Team and Rochdale Boroughwide Housing visited the area and cleared away several loads of fly-tipped waste, cleared the path and dug channels to aid drainage and prevent further build-up of mud.

The Highways Agency is also scheduled to clear their side of the fence soon.

Philip Massey, who had put in a request for the path to be cleared, said: “Our footpaths are vital to tackling the climate emergency, this is a very well used path, and it was unpleasant to walk along. Nobody is going to walk if they are likely to slip or end up covered in mud. If it’s easier to just jump in the car, we will never make progress.

“It’s also unacceptable just how much rubbish was dumped on there. Getting out for a walk and some exercise has become increasingly important in the last year, and we should be able to enjoy our open spaces.

“I remember using this path myself when I attended St Cuthbert's and now, as a parent, I would be furious that my kids were covered in mud everyday walking to and from school.”

Philip is also campaigning to further improve safety by thinning the hedges to allow better sight lines and illuminate the path at night.