PROTESTERS fighting to get an aluminium fence removed from the side of historic railway viaduct in Uppermill have sent a “we’re not going away” message to Network Rail.

Nearly 470 residents in the area are continuing to push for a response from the railway company after writing directly to its chief executive Mark Carne.

The fence was put up on Den Lane two months ago by Northern Rail, it says, to prevent trespass on the Manchester to Huddersfield railway line, which runs through the Saddleworth village, for safety reasons.

Mr Carne has yet to reply to any correspondence, either electronic or post, since the “Friends of Saddleworth” protesters launched their petition in May.

They are repeating their message after receiving no further response from Network Rail since a site meeting with the company five weeks ago.

One of the group is former Oldham mayor Cllr Derek Hefferman. He said: “Mr Carne and Network Rail are being very arrogant.

“As someone who has been in public life for a very long time, I find it appalling that we have had not response.

“If I had behaved like that as a councillor, the group leader would have had me out. We're not going away. We will continue to campaign for the removal of this fence until it is no longer here.”

A spokesman for Network Rail said: “At our meeting with residents in Uppermill, we were asked by the community to consider a number options for the area.

“We reviewed all of them and sent our views back to the community representative and are currently awaiting feedback on which option they would like to explore.”