About us

The Park Bridge Residents’ Action Group & Fund was formed to unite local residents, volunteers, and supporters with one clear voice. Our aim is to safeguard Park Bridge’s nationally significant heritage, conserve its unique biodiverse environment, and create new opportunities for community engagement.

Why Park Bridge Matters

Location and setting

Park Bridge lies in the valley of the River Medlock between Ashton-under-Lyne and Oldham in Greater Manchester. The surrounding landscape is a patchwork of ancient woodland, species-rich grassland, wetland, and former industrial sites reclaimed by nature.

It sits within the wider Medlock Valley network of green spaces, linking to Hartshead Pike, Alexandra Park, Daisy Nook Country Park, and the Pennine uplands. This strategic location makes it a key stepping stone for wildlife and a gateway for visitors exploring the valley.

Industrial heritage

Founded in 1786 by Samuel Lees, the Park Bridge Ironworks was a powerhouse of the Industrial Revolution, operating for nearly 200 years until its closure in 1963.

• Produced components for the textile industry and engineering works across Britain
• Exported globally: rivets made in Park Bridge were used on the Eiffel Tower and the Sydney Harbour Bridge
• Uniquely, it was one of the longest surviving examples of an industrial community based around engineering in the North West, with workers’ housing, workshops, railway and stables all on site
• The site’s industrial archaeology, including chimneys, engine beds, and ironworks remains, is regionally and nationally significant

Following closure of the ironworks, the site underwent major reclamation in the late 1970s, with the stables converted into the Park Bridge Heritage Centre in the 1990s through Heritage Lottery and Countryside Agency funding. The Centre became a hub for education, heritage interpretation, and countryside management until its closure as a visitor centre in 2010.

Environmental importance

Large parts of Park Bridge are designated as Sites of Biological Importance (SBI) due to the rare habitats and species present:

• Ancient woodland, mature native trees, vital for invertebrates, fungi, and nesting birds
• Species-rich grasslands, supporting pollinators and rare wildflowers
• Wetland and watercourses, the River Medlock and associated leats (industrial water channels) provide habitat for kingfishers, amphibians, and aquatic invertebrates
• Industrial-biodiversity overlap, disused structures provide nesting for protected species such as kestrels, owls, and bats

The site is a living demonstration of how industrial heritage and biodiversity can coexist, creating a unique landscape of cultural and environmental value

Community connection

Park Bridge is more than just a location — it’s an identity. Generations of families worked in the ironworks and lived in the village, with deep local pride in its history.

Until funding cuts in 2010, the Heritage Centre and ranger-led community programmes fostered environmental awareness and community spirit. Its closure created a gap in community provision, heritage education, and visitor engagement.

Today, the area still draws walkers, cyclists, and heritage enthusiasts, however years of decline has seen antisocial behaviour, fly-tipping and recreational drug use increase and blight the area.