Coun Besford: Last News

Some residents away from the area on election week may not have been able to cast their votes after delivery delays have hit Rochdale.

A new high school planned for Littleborough that was supposed to open last year is now estimated to open in 2027.

direct to your inboxCampaigners want to create a new forest to act as a giant 'sponge’ in flood-prone Littleborough.The Pennines town often suffers when the region is hit by heavy rainfall - something which has become increasingly common over recent years.Now residents and local councillors are calling for a massive tree planting scheme on land at the derelict Longley Hey Farm.The proposed site sits just below Higher Chelburn Reservoir and stretches from there to Halifax Road.The campaign got underway after two residents approached Littleborough Lakeside councillor Tom Besford with the idea - and has now gained significant local backing.Coun Besford says the former farmland - owned by United Utilities - is perfect for a new forest, unlike