Swallows Wood 53°28′32″N 1°59′19″W / 53.47550°N 1.98871°Wis a nature reserve near Hollingworth, Tameside, straddling the border between Greater Manchester and north Derbyshire. The 60-acre (0.24 km2) reserve, which contains semi-natural woodlands, meadows, ponds and marsh areas,[1] is owned by United Utilities who are responsible for its management. The site was formerly occupied by the Hollingworth and Waste Lodge reservoirs; these were demolished in 1987, and the nature reserve was installed in their place.[2] Arnfield Reservoir, the lowest of the Longdendale Chain reservoirs, is nearby.
The route of the proposed Longdendale Bypass would pass through the nature reserve and there is an ongoing campaign to save the wood.[3] Although the bypass has been threatening the wood for nearly 30 years Tameside Council have recently committed to planting 10,000 managed trees, in an attempt to move the woodland gradually away from the bypass route.[4]
The wood is on the fringes of the Peak District National Park; many walkers enjoy the area as the views over the woods and moorland are particularly impressive.[5][6]
- ^ "Onsite noticeboard". Retrieved 17 March 2012.
- ^ The Peak District National Park - Fact Zone 21. Longdendale in the National Park Archived January 4, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Campaign to Save Swallow's Wood :: Stop the A628 Mottram-Tintwistle Bypass!". Retrieved 17 March 2012.
- ^ State of the Area Archived December 30, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Route 1: Swallow's Wood and Cow Lane (via Devil's Bridge)" (PDF). Campaign to Save Swallows Wood. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
- ^ "Route 2: Route 2: Mottram Old Hall and Cow Lane" (PDF). Campaign to Save Swallows Wood. Retrieved 17 March 2012.