Gate off hill road to stop yobs setting off fireworks
MOORLAND RANGERS LEFT TO CLEAR UP
CASTLE Hill should be gated off around Bonfire Night to deter people from setting off fireworks at the historic hillside.
That’s according to local Conservative councillor Bernard McGuin who is reminding people that it is actually against the law to do so.
There is a Public Order in place which prohibits anyone from lighting a firework or releasing a sky lantern or balloon on all Kirklees Council, Yorkshire Water and National Trust land. Rule breakers can be fined £75.
Clr McGuin said: “It seems to me that there is no need to set off fireworks on Castle Hill. It is illegal to do so. A number of residents have contacted me about this and there is comment on social media.
“There has been a challenge for me to do something about it so I appeal through the Examiner for people not to break the law, and not use Castle Hill as a dumping ground for their unwanted pyrotechnics.
“We have seen this before. Last year we had a huge fire. Please think about preserving this haven, protect wildlife and think about the animals, particularly horses, frightened by such actions.”
The Almondbury councillor added: “I have asked in future if the road could be gated off at this time of year. If this is possible it would deter unwanted activity.
National Trust rangers at Marsden Moor have expressed their frustration after fireworks were let off at Buckstones car park off the A640 over the weekend.
Fireworks are banned on open moorland by both Oldham and Kirklees Councils as part of a Public Spaces Protection Order. This order also extends to BBQs and other open flames.
Yesterday morning rangers spent an hour clearing up fireworks and litter from the car park, when they should have been planting sphagnum moss, important for moorland restoration.
The same car park had been completely cleared of litter only two days earlier by National Trust volunteers.
Julia Phillips, NT area ranger, said “It’s really frustrating that the message doesn’t seem to be getting through.
“Our rangers and volunteers spend so much time picking up litter and firework debris when they could be doing important conservation work.
“It’s also very dangerous to have open flames like fireworks on the moors. Although the ground is much wetter at this time of year, the moors are still vulnerable to fire.”
In April, a fire which was thought to have been started from a BBQ, destroyed 700 hectares of moorland and burnt for four days - causing damage it will take decades to undo.