The Woodland Trust is pleading with the Greater Manchester public not to light fires on the region’s moorland this summer.
Nine of the UK’s biggest woodland charity’s sites have been blighted by fire in 2021 alone – with one fire-ravaged moorland area in the borough of Bolton still in the process of recovering.
Many may remember that in the summer of 2018, a toxic mix of a fire coupled with droughts, swept through the moorland at Smithills near Bolton, wiping out whole ecosystems, displacing rare birds such as the curlew, damaging a third of the 1,700 hectare site, and destroying around 2,000 trees.
It took 42 days for the fire service and the Woodland Trust to bring the blaze under control, with the recovery still ongoing and costs now said to be rising above the £1 million mark.
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Now, with the summer holidays beginning for many in Greater Manchester this week and the potential for prolonged periods of dry spells still forecast to come, the Woodland Trust says the risk of wildfires has significantly increased.
The 2018 Smithills Estate fire damaged a third of the 1,700 hectare site, and destroyed around 2,000 trees / Credit: Geograph (David Dixon)
“Our sites are a wonderful place to visit with so much diversity,” said Al Crosby – the Woodland Trust’s Regional Director for northern England.
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“We of course want people to enjoy them but also to take care of them… It’s all about recognising what’s special about these places, and how visitors can show their love for them and help us to keep them that way.”
He continued: “Our key message is to people – help us to protect the precious woods and wildlife near you.
“Please don’t light fires. It poses untold risk to people and wildlife [and] even if people think they are in control one minute, it can soon change and the effects can be absolutely catastrophic.”
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BBQs and small fires on moorland can easily get out of control and rip through the countryside fast / Credit: Pixahive
The Trust warns that BBQs and small fires on moorland and woodland can easily get out of control and rip through the countryside fast – damaging everything in their path.
It’s these kinds of fires that cause “untold damage” to habitats by wiping out wildlife and forcing nesting birds to flee.
Some of this devastation takes “decades to recover”, the Trust warns.
Featured Image – Geograph (Mick Garratt)
News
Police appeal launched as woman dies after being hit by lorry in Bury
Daisy Jackson
A woman has tragically died after being hit by a lorry in Bury yesterday afternoon.
At around 3.45pm on Tuesday 6 October, emergency services were called to a road traffic collision in Radcliffe.
The collision was between a pedestrian and a lorry on Church Street West.
Tragically, the pedestrian – a woman in her 50s – passed away at the scene despite the efforts of emergency services.
A large cordon was in place yesterday and road has remained closed this morning.
Officers from GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit are now appealing for information.
They said: “At around 3.45pm yesterday (Tuesday 6 October 2026) we were called to reports of a road traffic collision between a pedestrian and a lorry on Church Street West, Radcliffe.
“Emergency services attended but sadly the pedestrian, a woman in her 50s, passed away at the scene.
“No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.
“Anyone with information including CCTV, Ring doorbell or dashcam footage is asked to contact police on 101 quoting log 2299 of 06.10.26. Reports can also be made via our website of the LiveChat function at www.gmp.police.uk.
“Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
New measures announced to tackle ‘rogue’ landlords across Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
A cohort of trained enforcement officers are set to hit the streets in all 10 boroughs to help improve the lives of the region’s renters.
Forming part of Greater Manchester‘s commitment to the highest-quality housing standards alongside the Good Landlord Charter, the newly trained enforcement officers will be tasked with protecting tenants, joining Council teams in checking rental properties, bringing enforcement action against bad landlords, and cracking down on illegal practices.
The introduction of the new enforcement officers comes after what has been ‘years of sustained pressure’ on local budgets.
Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) says it is working with the 10 councils across the region to strengthen local teams, rebuild in-house skills and expertise, and ensure that powers can be applied with consistency in all boroughs.
As mentioned, this all forms part of the Good Landlord Charter – which is GMCA’s ‘bold approach’ to drive up standards for renters across the region.
Landlords of more than half of rented properties in Greater Manchester have now signed up as supporters of the Charter, and as supporters, they have committed to going above and beyond legal minimums to improve the renting experience for hundreds of thousands of people.
“A safe place to call home is the cornerstone of a happy, healthy life,” explained Mayor Bev Craig. “But for years, people have felt trapped in poor-quality housing, and cash-strapped councils were unable to step in to help. I’m putting an end to that.
“We know there are plenty of good landlords in Greater Manchester, and many of them have already signed up to our Good Landlord Charter, but too many are just not good enough.
“That’s why we’re deploying a new generation of expert housing officers onto the streets of our towns and cities.”
Mayor Bev Craig declared that she ‘won’t stand by and let rogue landlords take advantage of people’.
She continued: “By empowering renters, working with responsible landlords, and using our powers to crack down on the bad ones, I will make sure everyone in Greater Manchester has the foundation for a good life.”
Emily Sergeant -
23rd July 2021 
