PUTTING SOMETHING BACK

Four Wheel drive enthusiasts have offered their assistance to all of Manchester's Metropolitan Borough Councils to repair and maintain public rights of way.

The Manchester area of the Green Lane Association (GLASS) are co-ordinating the efforts of local user groups including Manchester & District Land Rover Club, Romily Friendship 4x4 Group, Glossop 4x4 Group and Manchester branch of The Land Rover Series III Club. GLASS have written to council chiefs offering the assistance of up to twenty volunteers to help with ditch-digging, cutting back of trees, removal of rubbish and 'trucking in' of hardcore where needed.

Local area representative for GLASS, Ian Boddison, said: 'This is part of a national Green Lane Day when, throughout the country, 4wd drivers offer to put something back into the countryside for the benefit of many people.
'We are uniquely able to carry out this work, we have the means to carry tools and equipment that the average walker or horse rider could not manage.
'Although Green Lane Day is on Sunday 29th March this year we will be happy to discuss an alternative day should the council wish.'

Some of Manchester's districts have written to thank GLASS for their offer. However, members of local groups are particularly hopeful that some work will be carried out in the Trafford District because of the large numbers of ancient historic roads that exist in the area. Mr. Boddison said "nearly all of these old roads are either obstructed or they have become so overgrown that they are almost impossible to find. This all too often results in them being absorbed into private land and the general public losing what is theirs by right. The situation is particularly bad in Trafford where these ancient highways have been left un-maintained for far too long."

To date only Stockport MBC have agreed to allow these volunteers to carry out any work and a suitable route has been determined. It is still hoped that some works can be carried out in other districts although there are a few areas with a lack of any suitable routes.


(Note to editors:
If GLASS assistance is accepted by the council a reporter and photographer will be made most welcome on the day. Please contact Ian Boddison on 0161 224 0132)

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