A GROUP of protestors stood hand in hand in silent protest over the lack of information about an aluminium fence built in a conservation area.

They formed a human fence in protest at the fact that almost three months to the day, they claim Network Rail have still have not put right the “damage” at Den Lane, Uppermill.

Veteran campaigner, Cllr Derek Heffernan, Oldham’s former Mayor, said: “How many people can say this fence is suitable for a conservation area?”

New protestors joined the 15 minute protest and one lady said she “was infuriated at fact some idiots have built such a diabolical fence in such a beautiful place.”

She added: “I cannot believe how many trees they have chopped down just to put in the fence, which is thirty feet away from the track.”

As reported in last week’s Oldham Times, the protesters battling to have the fence removed have demanded to see a bat survey carried out by Network Rail in advance of the work.

Trees were cleared behind a stone wall at the bottom of an embankment next to the grade II-listed railway viaduct in Den Lane before the company erected the 400-yard-plus long fence.

The Friends of Saddleworth action group, which gathered a petition with nearly 470 signatures asking for the “unsightly” fence to be removed are now worried that since the work was completed in May bats known to inhabit cracks in viaduct walls have not been seen.