Moston Brook

A map showing most of the non-culverted parts of Moston Brook

The brook flows approximately 3.7 miles (6.0 km) from its source (the confluence of Bower Brook and Hole Bottom Brook) to its confluence with the River Irk. It forms part of the River Irwell drainage basin.[1]

The source of Moston Brook is now hidden. Its most upstream part is fully obscured in two culverts, the South Culvert and the North Culvert.[2] The South Culvert is what remains of one of the brook's upstream tributaries, Bower Brook, which flows from the Werneth area[3] and past a pumping station in South Chadderton.[2] Another tributary, Hole Bottom Brook, rises in north Hollinwood and runs to the Failsworth boundary near the Rochdale Canal, where a short section is still in daylight.[2][3][4] The North Culvert was connected in the 1990s in order to take run-off from a newly constructed part of the M60 motorway.[4] The confluence of Bower Brook and Hole Bottom Brook is considered the start of Moston Brook proper.[4]

The brook then flows southwest, forming the boundary between the City of Manchester and the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham,[5] both of which are metropolitan boroughs of Greater Manchester. It is partly culverted at Broadway Common due to landfilling activities.[4] The brook flows into Manchester at the southern boundary between Moston and Newton Heath, where it passes into another culvert which takes it underneath Moston Vale.[6] Here it is joined by the Dean Brook, which flows past the site of Moston Hall in Broadhurst Park and is also culverted south of Joyce Street. Up to the early nineteenth century, the section between Failsworth and the Dean Brook was known as Morris Brook.[7] The brook is briefly visible again in Collyhurst near Manchester Communication Academy,[2] before again entering culverts which take it most of the way to its confluence with the River Irk.[6]

The main part of the brook that is currently above ground is broken down into the following areas:[8]

• Wrigley Head – part of the brook near the Rochdale Canal.
• Hardman Fold – once a farm, brickworks and clay-pit, and later a landfill,[9] the area is now meadows, woodland and a waterside walk. Public footpath 79 also runs on the northern (Manchester) side of the valley.[10]
• Broadway – incorporating Lower Failsworth Memorial Land which, after World War I, was purchased by public subscription for the people of Failsworth.
• Moston Fairway – a rare urban nature reserve, run by the Lancashire Wildlife Trust. Part of it was, until 1981, the site of Moston Exchange railway sidings on the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway[11] Although it does not directly connect with the brook valley, it is close by and is considered part of the same amenity area.

There were once "white hills" beside the brook near Wrigley Head, here shown in 1970.

The area was largely rural but had been engaged in the washing, bleaching and dyeing of yarns since the 16th century, although Moston itself was mostly noted for silk weaving.[4][12] By 1848, Moston Mill Print Works had already sprung up next to the brook to make use of the running water, joined later by Spring Valley Dye Works in Failsworth. A mill pond, a mill race and a weir were constructed to feed the former, of which only the weir remains.[4] Monsall Hospital was constructed on the banks of the brook in 1871. In 1878, North Road football stadium and cricket ground was built nearby for the use of Newton Heath LYR works team, the team that would later become Manchester United F.C.[11][13]

There were "white hills" along the banks of the brook, formed from industrial waste.[4] The origin of the hills is unclear, though the hills are shown in photographs dated 1913.[14] Excavation of clay and sand pits alongside the brook fed brickworks on Hale Lane, Failsworth.[4] From around 1949, these pits were used as landfills, the last of which (Hardman Fold) was closed in the 1990s.[4] The brook was gradually culverted along much of its length, in some cases to make room for more landfill sites.[9] For example, the part of the brook that was near Monsall Hospital was culverted to make way for a landfill in the mid-1970s.[9] The hospital itself closed down in 1993 and was demolished soon after.[15] Moston Brook High School, which was built on the former site of the North Road sports pitches, was closed in August 2000.[16]

The remaining visible part of the brook between Failsworth and Moston was reprofiled and landscaped in the 1980s. Valley slopes were smoothed, paths and steps were incorporated, drainage channels were installed and stabilisation work was conducted.[4]

On the border between Moston and Failsworth, Moston Brook is a recreational resource for residents of both communities.[20] The project officer for the site is tasked with coordinating activities and encouraging the local communities to make use of the corridor.[21] For example, an annual Fun Day is held on Lower Failsworth Memorial Land, with activities such as falconry displays, bouncy castles, arts and crafts and model train rides.[8][24] Lancashire Wildlife Trust has organised volunteering sessions around Moston Brook and the project officer has conducted bat spotting tours with the local community.[21]

Entrances to the brook have been built along its route by Oldham and Manchester Councils.[25] These allow access to paths and cycleways which can be used for walks, rides and educational activities.[21]

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  Creating an insect house – Moston Brook Fun Day 2013
• 
  Moston Brook Fun Day 2013

• Boggart Hole Brook
• List of rivers of England

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Moston Brook.

• Moston Brook Green Corridor – Oldham Council
• Photos of the Moston Brook source – Substormflow
• Moston Brook Friends Group

53°30′24″N 2°10′48.5″W