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Project - Marsh Common

This area of common land, which was once a quarry and then a public tip, is located on then right-hand side of Marsh Lane just after the public phone box when travelling towards Moorside through Marsh.  The common has, after some negotiation, now passed into the ownership of Oxenhope Parish Council (OPC).  The aim of OPC is to turn the common into an amenity site for the Parish with an ecological tilt, this will extend the already grown wildlife corridor which runs from Penistone Moor down to Brooks Meeting.

There are a few problems on site which are being addressed; one is the culvert running under the top and bottom of the common. In the top section there is a blockage which, in heavy rain, causes storm water to bypass the culvert and find it's own way to the lower reaches of the water course. Hopefully the culvert will shortly be surveyed by a potholer to see what and where the problem is. In the bottom section of the culvert two of the capstones are missing, these need to be made secure. OPC has sourced funding for this area to be fenced off thus leaving an exit for floodwater in the bottom of the site. A second problem is Japanese Knotweed which is unfortunately growing over a large area of the common, and to a lesser extent Ragwort.  And lastly there are large amounts of asphalt on the site which have been dumped over the years and this may need to be moved in places.

We have spent two days so far this year clearing rubbish, burning Japanese Knotweed and planting a range of native trees with the Forest of Bradford.  A new entrance gate with adjoining kissing gate has been fitted along with a way marker for the Millennium Way which passes through the common. A stock fence has been erected, set back from the roadside, to deter fly tipping. Funding permitting, picnic tables and benches will then be put on the site ready for the public to enjoy.

If you want to help develop and maintain Marsh Common please Contact us.

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