Despite the pledge made to Shaw Liberal Democrat Councillor and Chair of Crompton Moor Users Group, Howard Sykes MBE, Oldham Council has still failed to put the signs up on Crompton Moor by the end of March like they promised.
The signs advertise the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) which is in place on Crompton Moor which allow local authorities to proscribe certain types of behaviour, imposing financial penalties upon those offenders who choose to ignore them. On moorland, a PSPO would typically prohibit the lighting of fires, the use of Chinese lanterns and irresponsible cycling and motor-cycling other than on certain defined routes, and place certain restrictions on dog-walking, hunting and dog fouling They are intended to keep the public safe and prevent harm to the natural environment.
There are around 200 PSPOs in place across Oldham to help protect our public spaces.
Councillor Sykes has been badgering Oldham Council to ensure that the Council’s website lists all the Public Space Protection Orders, the areas they cover and what they mean for the public. Most importantly he wants to see the signs on Crompton Moor, which were promised by the end of March, installed. The existing Public Space Protection Orders were reviewed as required by law in 2020.
Commenting, Councillor Sykes said: “We have now entered Spring and are about to leave Lockdown. Regrettably Crompton Moor and our green spaces are from time-to-time invaded by a few selfish and mindless idiots who chose to despoil our green spaces and ruin the quiet enjoyment for the vast majority. Last week a large part of Marsden Moor was incinerated, and the use of barbeques and fires always represent a grave threat to our moorland in the Spring and Summer. PSPOs are one means we can fight back against this lawless minority, but we cannot prosecute them if we do not publicise them.”