A TIMPERLEY man is calling for a neglected historic path to be restored to its former glory.

Reg Temple says Brooks' Drive in Timperley has degenerated into an overgrown and litter-strewn grotspot - with the original 138 year-old granite stone roadway covered in sludge.

He recalls that 30 years ago the road was a 'beautiful' route linking Baguley to Hale but it has gradually been allowed to go to ruin - and it is time something was done.

Reg, pictured, is now organising a petition calling on the council to clean up the 'filth and rubbish' along the drive. And this week he was in talks with the Bollin Valley Project about his plans.

He says: "The road is now a dirty, filthy track with rubbish all along it. And the mud and filth is so deep it now needs machines to shift it. It used to be a beautiful drive but it has just been neglected.

"It is important it is cleaned up and restored to being an asset to the area."

He adds that much of the route is just a couple of feet wide because it is so overgrown - it should be about 25 feet wide.

The path was built in 1860 with an avenue of trees on either side between double hawthorn hedges. The trees and hedges, now nearly 140 years-old, are a haven for wildlife.

It was built by the landowner, banker Samuel Brooks, leading to his home and its toll house stills stands near Brooklands roundabout.

Cllr Ray Bowker, who represents the Village ward, says he supports Mr Temple's aim of upgrading the drive but says improvement efforts are complicated by the fact it has several owners - different council divisions and several private individuals.

He adds: "I agree with Mr Temple that it would look tremendous if is it was restored - I would support any plan to improve it and tidy it up."

There are already plans for the area of the drive near Brooklands roundabout to be landscaped by developers who are building a housing estate on the Manchester side of the drive, he adds.

Geoff Marsh, the council's principal environmental services manager, says there are already regular cleans-up on the drive but he will look at the area again.

Mr Marsh says that fly-tipping continues to be a problem across Trafford - despite the fact that a whole range of rubbish can be collected by the council's free miscellaneous and bulky collection service.

Items they take away include washing machines, cookers, beds, mattresses and wardrobes. Call 912-2000 for information.

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