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MARCH ... supporters walked from the top of Lanehead Village to the quarry in support of keeping the quarry closed.
MARCH ... supporters walked from the top of Lanehead Village to the quarry in support of keeping the quarry closed.
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Moor protests over Ding

Helen Johnson
26/ 2/2008

MORE than 100 protesters took to the moors to show their opposition to the proposals to re-open Ding Quarry.

Supporters took part in a peaceful march from the top of Lanehead village up to Ding Quarry, organised by the Ding Quarry Action Group.

The group carried banners and posters featuring the Observer’s Sling Out Ding campaign logo.

Joining the protesters were MP Paul Rowen and councillors Peter Clegg, Greg Couzens and Barbara Todd.

Dave Thomas, chairman of Ding Quarry Action Group said: "We wanted to show how much support there is and also to show what a valuable amenity the moor is to the people of Rochdale, not just in terms of how beautiful it is, but in more practical terms of how healthy it is to go walking there.

"It was a measure of how much people love the moor to see how many of them turned up on a Sunday afternoon.

"We were never expecting it to be a big splash, but it certainly turned out to be.

"Lots and lots of people turned up. It was a fantastic day out."

Mr Rowen said: "I really enjoyed the walk and also the opportunity to catch up with some of the key campaigners. It is absolutely imperative that we keep up the pressure.

"If this quarry re-opens, it will be a disaster for local people.

"It was hugely encouraging to see so many people involved in the walk and to see the awareness of the campaign kept up."

Rochdale Council’s planning committee will not be making a decision about whether or not to grant permission to DP Williams (Holdings) Ltd, the company proposing to re-open the quarry, until at least the end of May.

For more information about the campaign go to www.dingquarry.co.uk or www.rochdaleobserver.co.uk and see the special reports section.

A first application by DP Williams to work the quarry was rejected by Rochdale Council in 1995.


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Most recent 1 of 1 user comments

   How disappointing to see this article with no reference at all to the many horse riders who turned up for this march. Most of them had ridden for more than an hour to get there in pouring rain, with preparation starting at 9.00 am! The lane up to Ding is part of a National Bridleway and the views and support of the riding community should not be ignored, they will be affected as much (if not more) than any other parts of the community. The re-opening of the quarry would make it impossible for riders to safely negotiate this route.
bbcrystal, Rochdale
27/02/2008 at 18:03
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