Broadclough

Broadclough
Broadclough  Broadclough shown within Lancashire
OS grid reference	SD86615 23941
District	Rossendale
Unitary authority	Lancashire
Region	North West
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	Bacup
Postcode district	OL13
Dialling code	01706
Police	Lancashire
Fire	Lancashire
Ambulance	North West
EU Parliament	North West England
UK Parliament	Rossendale and Darwen
List of places UK England Lancashire

Coordinates: 53°42′43″N 2°12′11″W / 53.712°N 2.203°W / 53.712; -2.203

Broadclough – historically Broad Clough (meaning "broad valley") – is a village located to the north of Bacup, previously having been a part of the old Borough of Bacup and now with Rossendale borough of Lancashire. It is part of the Rossendale and Darwen constituency, with Jake Berry having been the Member of Parliament since 2010. Like much of Bacup, Broadclough is rapidly becoming a commuter area for towns such as Burnley, Accrington, Preston, Blackburn, Rochdale (and further afield).

History

The village is significant in that there exists what has been argued to be the most important archaeological site in the East Lancs area, namely Broadclough Dykes. It has been claimed that in the 10th century, the Anglo-Saxons battled against Gaels and Norsemen at Broadclough,^[1][2] with some arguing this was the setting for the site of, or an encampment of an army before the Battle of Brunanburh. Although the Dykes near Dykes House Farm have been studied, there are other earthworks, specifically those near Lanes Head Farm, Bacup Old Road and Plantation View in neighbouring Weir, which have yet to be investigated.^[3] Others have suggested these are of Roman rather than Saxon origin.^[4]

Broadclough Hall at Lower Broadclough was the seat of the Whittaker family, one of the most important families in the Forest of Rossendale, who held the position of Greave of the Forest as a quasi-hereditary title from around 1515. Originally built around 1600,^[5] the present building was built in 1816, being the third hall to be built on the site.^[6]

Whilst many of Broadclough's buildings where built by the Whittakers of Broadclough Hall, a family by the name of Lord grew to become a significant property owner and there are a number of listed buildings within Broadclough that are associated with them, as well as a number of place names (including Lord's Court and Lord's Barn).^[7]

Higher Broadclough (at Broadclough Farm and Step Row) was originally the furthest point of the road that is now A671 before it turned 90 degrees and headed up through the farm yard, past the notable Step Row and up the road that is now Bacup Old Road. Parliament enacted the Rochdale to Burnley Turnpike Trust in 1755, which extended the main road through the village to Weir, making Burnley much more accessible to road traffic.^[8]

After over a hundred years of trading and having lost its licence in 1959, in 1971, Broadclough's only pub, The Roebuck (opposite Lord's Court), was demolished as part of the Bacup slum clearance, allowing Burnley Road to be straightened.^[9]

The section of Burnely Road that runs through Broadclough has become an accident blackspot,^[10][11][12] with Simon Dalley of Broadclough Farm commenting: "Speeding is a real problem on this road. Because we’re so close to the moors, when people are coming down the hill from Weir, they drive like they’re still in open countryside, doing 60 mph" whilst Councillor Jimmy Eaton said: "It’s not that long ago that a lady was killed not so far away from where this accident took place, and that wasn’t the first. There have been many accidents along that stretch in recent times and I'm very concerned that there will be another fatality if something isn’t done." The County Councillor has gone on to spearhead residents' calls for the creation of a bypass with the suggestion of utilising elements of the old highway Bacup Old Road.^[13]

There have been several attempts to further develop Broadclough; however, to date these have been refused on several grounds of which the main concerns have been the impact on the open countryside and moorlands and of Burnley Road, on which there has been a large number of accidents. The land on the boundary of Weir, adjacent to Broadclough Farm and Northern Primary School, has had several attempts at development including a 61-home plan^[14] as well as an 80-bed residential care unit^[15] which was refused locally and had an appeal dismissed by the planning inspectorate.^[16]

In June 2014 the police announced they would be monitoring the A671 between Weir and Bacup (which passes through Broadclough) as it has become an accident blackspot with a high number of accidents which have resulted in serious injury and even deaths.^[17]

Industry

There was around 50 farms owned by the Whittaker family in the Broadclough area in the 17th century however the industrial history of the area rapidly progressed with Broadclough becoming one of the first areas to industrialized, firstly through water mills off the River Irwell (notably those off Dog Pitts Lane, opposite Broadclough Farm/ behind Lord's Court). These early mills were quickly replaced by steam powered spinning mills including the early 19th century Broadclough Mill.^[18][19]

There was also a colliery in the village known as Broadclough Colliery Coal Mine, it was operational by 1894 employing 3 men underground however was disued by 1931.^[20]

Broadclough Residents Group is currently in the process of developing a plan to plant trees on former industrial or built areas of the hamlet to preserve an understanding of the area's industrial past.

See also

• List of mills in Lancashire
• Battle of Brunanburh
• List of United Kingdom locations: Bro-Bron

Neighbouring towns, villages and places

	Crawshawbooth	Weir	Cliviger
	Haslingden		Todmorden
	Broadclough
	Stacksteads	Bacup	Shawforth

References