Apparently a petition is doing the rounds to discourage any further conservation work on Ashton Heath. Perhaps someone would be helpful enough to shed some light on the content of this petition to the residents of Ashton Heath ? The recent essential improvements to Ashton Heath have been warmly welcomed by most people living closest to the heath and I’m sure they would have some very interesting responses to the perpetrator of this negative document if they were ever given chance to see it !

It’s a shame some people see fit to channel energy into discouraging voluntary organisations who give their own energy & time into improving the environment for all to enjoy. Perhaps they should acquaint themselves with other heathland projects all over England and they will see that the Ashton Heath project is following the exemplary leads set by others. Perhaps they should also recall what a mess Ashton Heath was a year ago and consider how much worse it would be today had the Ashton Heath Residents’ Assocation not taken the bull by the horns and done such a tremendous job in the last 12 months.

Town: russandjosie@blueyonder.co.uk

Lets have a petition in FAVOUR of the conservation work I wouldn't mind betting it will get more names on it than one against the conservation work!

Thanks for your words of support, Peter - I agree wholeheartedly.

Regardless of any petitions, the plain fact is that conservation work HAS to resume at some point even if this ill-informed petition has any short-term influence. The name of our common would have to change if the work stops as it will only take a few years for it become something else other than true heathland. How about Ashton Forest, Ashton Weed Farm or Ashton Tip ? That's what some people are asking for !

Can anyone tell me what the objections are?
I live on Mill St,just off the Heath and think that the people involved with the conservation work are doing a wonderful job.

Thanks,Eric

ps havn't heard or seen any petition either.

Town: julieric20@btinternet.com

As far as we know a couple of dog walkers have complained to a ward councillor about the removal of trees from the heathland area despite having been told of the reasons for this. They might also be objecting to the mowing of the heath because of the 'threat to wildlife', apparently being unaware that trees, coarse grasses, brambles and rosebay willowherb will eventually destroy heathland.

We second that! What a great idea to return the heath to its original state. And what a fantastic job so far!

Noticed that cabins have been removed. Does that mean the work has now completely stopped??

We live just off Heath Road on York Road and have not seen any petition either. How can these councillors put a stop to this great work, following a couple of complaints? Perhaps someone has a name and e-mail address for the responsible councillors, so we can voice our opinions to them?

Found Councillor Carneys e-mail address on the Wigan MBC website if anyone would like to contact him direct

W.Carney@wiganmbc.gov.uk

We just did!!

Hi D N M J R G !

Good to hear there are other people out there in agreement with the work going on to improve the heath.

I don't know what the blue containers are for but they are not connected to conservation work on the heath, I'm sure of that.

The work has been stopped as a result of complaints by some local residents who were in favour of leaving the heath as it was. Wigan MBC were forced to investigate the complaints and thus asked Ashton Heath Residents' Association to stop work until these complaints were addressed. The request came from the Planning & Regeneration Dept within Wigan MBC and AHRA agreed to the request. Councillor Carney is at pains to state that he did not stop any work.

This week the complaints are going to be discussed by the Planning & Regeneration Dept and the Councillors with a view to responding to the complainants.

It is hoped that the conservation work can resume at some point but this is by no means certain. Unfortunately Wigan MBC are obliged to take seriously all complaints no matter how outlandish they are !

There is reason to believe that this petition is objecting to (a) the weeded areas being cut and (b) the cutting back of some trees. The complainants don't seem to be aware that these actions are necessary or the heathland will become scrub and then woodland all over in years to come. A bid for significant funding for Ashton Heath is also being jeopardised by these ill-advised complaints.

Town: russandjosie@blueyonder.gov.uk

Whats to stop you continuing to tidy up the area on mass?

I appreciate that it is council land, but you arent damaging anything are you?

What can the council do?

It would make a great story for the observer if the council tried to come the heavy hand!

CARRY ON!

Thankfully the suspension has now been lifted and the work has resumed. Let's hope that was a one-off !

There will be an article in the Wigan Evening News any night now about the suspension & resumption.