Littleborough Civic Trust

21/05/2026

********UPDATES SINCE LAST MEETING OF 11th MAY********
ROCHDALE COUNCIL HIGHWAYS
Despite Cllr. Richard Jackson's repeated efforts with Highways Dept. (acknowledged at the last meeting), nothing happened. However, we [the Trust] have now managed to 'shame' them into replying. They state that an order has been placed with a contractor, who is waiting for better weather (can't argue with that) to renew all white lining from Todmorden Rd., to the junction with Smithybridge Rd. It is not unknown for them to carry out such works during night-time hours, which in my/our opinion would greatly reduce disruption to already fed-up residents.
ROCHDALE COUNCIL LEGAL Dept.
Applied for renewal of ‘Asset of Community Value’ status for Barkers Wood on 29th April.
Still awaiting approval.
CHURCH CLOCK
Awaiting Holy Trinity Church to meet with C of E architect in June.
CIVIC TRUST SOCIAL EVENING
REMINDER: We are holding a social evening (approx. 8pm) following the June 8th meeting
Food and drink provided.

14/05/2026

EMAIL TO ROCHDALE HIGHWAYS 14/05/2026
Please see below email sent to you, dated 16/07/2025.
Several similar emails from us on the same subject have been sent to you since that date but not even the courtesy of a reply, or any action to rectify this dangerous situation since July 2025. Unbelievable!!
Could someone possibly have the decency to explain why please?
We (Littleborough Civic Trust) constantly receive reports of dangerous occurrences/near misses.
The below email says it all.
Regards
Ian Jackson
Chairman
________________________________________
From: littleborough civictrust
Sent: 16 July 2025 10:59
To: Highways
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Road markings Littleborough

To whom it may concern
At our monthly meeting on Monday evening (14th) it was yet again brought to our attention that at the junction of Church St. and Hare Hill Rd., one of the two main junctions in Littleborough,, that there is not a single trace of white road marking paint demarcating the junction.
We now wish to urgently report this matter to yourselves and have encouraged all individuals to do the same as it is a serious road safety issue.
One councillor was present at the meeting who had had the situation reported to him previously and he stated that he had again brought it to the attention of Highways on Friday 11th.
Given the fact that as stated above, 'the situation reported to him previously', sadly, and dangerously, the Council's Highways Dept. have obviously chosen to ignore the fact for some time!!
Unbelievable, when Church St. is an A class road: the A58.
Regards

28/04/2026

It was decided at our last, April meeting that we should hold a social evening following the meeting on June 8th.
This is intended to showcase what we do for the community and to hopefully encourage more people to join and assist with our efforts.
The bar will be open and refreshments will be provided.
Please invite your friends and family if they are interested.

09/04/2026

********UPDATE AS OF 15/04/26*********
Network Rail have now replied stating categorically that they have no plans or intentions to update/upgrade the crossing; unbelievably saying it has the “highest protection”.
****************
Two fiascos within five days with Smithybridge level crossings (yet again).
Day-long chaos on Saturday 4th and tea time rush hour disruption 8th, with 'unconfirmed' reports of another malfunction on the evening of Friday 10th.
Not only does it frequently disrupt train travel but more importantly, it also affects the local economy; taxis; route to the shops; normal village life. etc. etc.
We have therefore contacted Network Rail (on both occasions) to ask when the long-promised 'upgrade' will actually take place. Of course; no answer to date.
The 'upgrade' is mentioned and 'promised' on every complaint we have made to them.
The more complaints they receive; the more they might take action; just possibly, so please feel free to contact them as individuals.

15/01/2026

Here we go again! The Taylor Wimpey planning application is on next Thursday's Planning Committee's agenda for 199 houses on
'Land to the West of Smithybridge Road.'
The committee will say that there is no legal reason to refuse it.
However, as many residents as possible need to oppose it.
Just look at the abhorrent chaos this week alone; and that's before anything further (AKZO finished; Bloor Homes etc)
The utter chaos; kids getting marked late at school. Late appointments. 2 hours Oldham Royal hospital to Littleborough. (How long would it take an A & E ambulance??)
1 hour, Milnrow to Littleborough. 35 minutes Littleborough to Hurstead.
We cannot let them get away with this. All the above and more is surely a legal reason to refuse it.
This will totally decimate: Littleborough/Wardle/Smithybridge/Hollingworth Lake etc.
Date and time of meeting: Thursday, 22 January 2026 at 6.00 pm
Venue: First Floor, Number One Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale,
OL16 1XU.

11/01/2026

Just a reminder that, as per normal, there is NO January meeting tomorrow.
The next Civic Trust meeting is 9th February.

31/12/2025

****ROAD SAFETY****
Despite several emails to Rochdale Council’s Highways Dept. and additionally, repeatedly mentioned to one of the Littleborough Lakeside ward councillors, regarding the lack of road markings at the junction of Hare Hill Rd., and Church St, A58; (probably one of the busiest junctions in Littleborough), the absence of them continues to cause road safety issues.
The junction is also on a bend (albeit slight).
Previously, there existed what is called a ‘Ghost Island’ An intentionally marked-out area, often with a few diagonal stripes or chevrons, creating a waiting space for right-turning vehicles into Hare Hill Rd, along with a centre line of the road.
This is a major A road (the A58), but it is not only apparent; but fact, that Rochdale Council continue to ignore this situation.
Several near misses have been witnessed at the location but the Council obviously do not consider it a priority or otherwise.
They did [eventually] renew the markings on Hare Hill Rd., but left Church St/A58 totally devoid of them. Why? – “Not on our paperwork mate.”
This situation has continued for several months now. Yet another shining example of Littleborough; and the resident’s concerns being totally ignored.
No doubt the infamous ‘sinkhole’ at Hurstead will feature in any further reply from them; if they reply at all; as to-date, they have not!

11/12/2025

Thankfully, the Taylor Wimpey planning application is NOT on next Thursday's agenda at the planning committee.
It was suspected it might be. What a relief (road) 😃

20/11/2025

The Bloor Homes planning application for 309 dwellings - Land to the West of Hollingworth Road and Land off Rakewood Road, Littleborough; Application 24/00581/HYBR was decided upon by Rochdale Council’s planning committee meeting of 27/11/25.
Council planning officers recommended it for approval, with obvious total disregard for the residents of Littleborough.
We lodged a detailed verbal objection at the meeting but it just fell on deaf ears.
The majority of the committee took no notice whatsoever of any pertinent points that were made by us and other objectors; including local councillors.

Hundreds of new homes are set to be built on the Littleborough countryside near a popular beauty spot.

10/11/2025

A busy Remembrance Day weekend for Littleborough. What a wonderful turnout as ever.
Littleborough Brass Band led the Remembrance Parade for all to pay tribute to those who served and sacrificed.
A huge thank you to everyone who came along to support. It means so much to see the community come together.
Thank you to all the volunteers who helped in the organisation and their efforts on the day.
Also, Rochdale Council for the admin (road closures etc). Police, Fire Service etc.
A huge thanks to The Falcon pub who provided copious amounts of free food and drink (incl. many ‘tots’) throughout the day, to keep the cockles warm.
Additionally, The Wheatsheaf for allowing us to use their electricity to power the speakers.
Hopefully there will be a presence at the Cenotaph again tomorrow, Tuesday 11th ,11am; albeit much smaller.
Once again Littleborough; you did yourself proud.