Rivington trails face closure

THE threat of closure to trails around Rivington has never been greater as rangers from United Utilities sent out their clearest warning yet that they are planning action.

Fear is growing that the bridleways around the pike and Chinese Gardens - once used for the Commonwealth Games - will be demoted to footpaths.

The warning signs, which were erected at the end of May, sets out the risks if riders continue to erode trails and behave in a selfish manner.

The move comes as local campaigners are stepping up their fight to see more trails built around Healy Nab.

The warning notes have been put up around the Rivongton barns to the west of Manchester - a popular site for both walkers and mountain bikers.

The site is a complex system of walks, steps, bridleways and trails which have become hugely popular with mountain bikers.

During the Commonwealth mountain bike events, the road races and the road time trials took place on the slopes of Rivington, near Horwich.

Rivington Pike was at the centre of most of the activity - it is a famous local landmark first built to warn of the invasion of the Spanish Armada.

William Hesketh Lever, the first Viscount Leverhulme, built a residence there, Roynton Cottage, but this wooden structure was burnt down by suffragettes in 1913.

But campaigns have been started in an attempt to bring mountain bikers closer together and spread the word that abuse of the trails that exist at present will result in them being closed.

The warning states that bikers are wandering away from designated bridleways causing erosion to historical features and diruption to other users. It clearly adds that concessionary bridleways will be demoted to footpaths if this continues.

Bill Ould, heading the campaign for trails at Healy Nab, is working with Rowan Sorrell to push forward a development that could potentially attract riders away from the pike.

He said: "This is a subject that I also believe in and have taken on a communication role for the Healey Nab development so hopefully we can help keep people informed. There are up-dates posted about Healey Nab as they arrive so check the forum on a regular basis.

"Rowan Sorrell is involved in the development of trails and when he arrives here for a site visit I will be inviting a few people - particularly the wannabe trail builders but I'm anxious to keep the groups small to aid communication."

A petition is still running to gain support for the trails to stay open around Rivington. Sign up here.