A GROUP of determined protestors is inviting locals to join them in making a human fence to show their disapproval of a steel fence erected near the railway line through Uppermill.
Network Rail erected the 800-foot barrier along Den Lane, which is a conservation area, almost three months ago and recently revealed they plan to do the same along the entire TransPennine route in Saddleworth.
But the move has attracted much criticism from the local community and councillors who are upset by the “pointless and extremely ugly fence” and tree felling that occurred so it could be erected.
The protestors group, supported by councillors, has approached the rail operator to discuss moving the barrier closer to the train track, as well as alternative options.
Now, in protest against the fence, they are assembling on Den Lane, off Moorgate Street in Uppermill, at 1.50pm on Sunday, August 12 for 15 minutes to make a human fence, and all are welcome to join them.
The group said: “It’s almost three months since Network Rail started destroying the conservation area of Den Lane to put up a galvanised steel fence more suited to an industrial site that nobody wanted and serves no safety purpose whatsoever. And have done nothing in all that time to put it right.
“Network Rail chopped down dozens of mature trees, a place where foxes and a pair of jays live and lots of other wildlife. Some people are concerned that Network Rail have disturbed bats which are a protected species.
“Plus Network Rail ignored local residents, local council leaders and dozens of letters to stop the work and talk to us to do the job properly and in keeping.
“Anyone who is concerned about the way Network Rail operate, concerned about wildlife and conservation, or worried Network Rail are going to do this right through the area should come down and show their disapproval by making a human fence.
“Please if you can dress as a bat – black bin bag, improvised bat-ear hat!”
Network Rail said the fencing needs to be installed for safety, to reduce the risk of people trespassing on the tracks and protecting members of the public, drivers and those travelling on trains.
A spokesman for Network Rail added: “At our meeting with residents in Uppermill, we were asked by the community to consider a number of options for the area.
“We reviewed all of them and sent our views back to the Friends of Saddleworth representative and are currently awaiting feedback on which option they would like to explore.”
This shower of NIMBYs don’t care about anything but themselves – sod rail safety, as long as it doesn’t hurt their poor little sensitive eyes. And all that nonsense about dressing “as a bat” is laughable – there aren’t, and never have been, bats on Den Lane.
This sort of narrow-minded selfish attitude is everything that’s wrong with Saddleworth – little people with narrow minds.
No bats on Den Lane? Oh dear Paula…
Your right John mate I can see at least three old bats in that photo LOL
In England, Scotland and Wales the law protecting bats is considerably stricter than it is for most other animals. All bat species have been for some time protected under schedule 5 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981.
Barry, I thought I was somewhat batty until I read Henry’s fabrication!!! Now how do I turn these ruddy notifications off!!
Let’s stick to the facts:
Bats and the Law
In Britain all bat species and their roosts are legally protected, by both domestic and international legislation.
This means you will be committing a criminal offence if you:
Deliberately capture, injure or kill a bat
Intentionally or recklessly disturb a bat in its roost or deliberately disturb a group of bats [which includes using chainsaws next to where they roost]
Damage or destroy a bat roosting place (even if bats are not occupying the roost at the time) [which means trashing where they live and breed and eat etc.]
Possess or advertise/sell/exchange a bat (dead or alive) or any part of a bat
Intentionally or recklessly obstruct access to a bat roost
All 17 bat species found breeding in Britain are protected by law and it is an offence to destroy roosts in houses, outbuildings or trees without a licence and professional advice to ensure they are not removed while hibernating or rearing young.
Dear Sirs
WILDLIFE CRIME INVESTIGATION
I am writing this letter as a warning to property owners and developers about my experience of a development project that led to a police investigation into my conduct… I hope you will read this letter and understand, as I wish I had done at the time, the strict laws in
this country that exist to protect wildlife, and how seriously the police take any potential criminal conduct against wildlife…
sticking to the facts cont. …
The law
There are several bat offences in the UK:
•
Damage or destruction of a bat “breeding site” or “resting place”. This is one of the most strict offences (known as a “strict liability” offence), as no intention to commit the offence is needed, i.e. even if you destroy a bat roost unintentionally, by a mistake, you are still guilty of an offence.
•
Possession of live or dead bats. As above, you don’t need any intention to commit this
offence, making it a “strict liability” offence.
Dear “469 friends” – calm down love – we haven’t been disturbed by Network Rail because we don’t ACTUALLY live in hedges!!!!!
Yours, sonically,
Batty the Bat,
Bat Cave,
Batshire,
OL3
I can concur with my friend Batty the Bat that he doesn’t live in those hedgerows cut down by Network Rail. It was us that used to live there, but hey, nobody cares about us worms it’s all about the bats. Bats this, Bats that. What have they ever done that’s so special? Nobody cares about us worms. I don’t see any worm placards. You’re all wormaphobic.
Willy the Worm,
Worm Refugee Camp,
Den Lane,
OL3
Last week that fence was covered with vegetation and then suddenly all the greenery disappears. I wonder if someone has been busy with a hedge-trimmer to make it look worse?!!! #fakenews #NIMBYS
Anyone who knows Den Lane (and plenty of people use it) would know that there has never been any vegetation on the fence. However, there have always been plenty of bats in the past. Makes me wonder who is really behind these posts!! ! #fake news #trying to detract from the real problem