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Management We are currently developing our plans for this site which will include removal of birch scrub which have invaded the site, and significant bunding and ditch blocking works to try and raise the water table across the site, and encourage the re-establishment of the original mossland habitat. Location Cadishead Moss lies 7km south of Leigh and 14km west of Manchester. Turn off the A580(T) onto Higher Green Road, which is signposted as a no-through road, and go through Higher Green, Astley Green and Lower Green. After Lower Green, follow the road along, go across the railway line and at the T junction turn right, followed by left onto Astley Road. The next track on the right (twelve yards road) leads to the site. However access is restricted along this track and you will have to continue on foot to reach the site. There are no parking facilities currently available at this site. |
Access A permit is required for visiting the reserve. This can be obtained from the Trust office. The site has difficult access due to the numerous drains and deep ditches, and tussocky vegetation on the site, so care must be taken. Status This 8.4 ha site was bought by the Trust in 2009, and was a site of biological importance (SBI) before peat extraction commenced. We are currently attempting to get the site re-designated as an SBI. Funding for the purchase of the site was kindly provided by Natural England through its Wetland Vision scheme. |
Cadishead Moss
Nearest town: Leigh
Grid reference: SJ 699 953, Landranger 109, Explorer 276
Cadishead Moss is an 8.4 ha mossland site where there was active peat extraction until the Trust purchased the site in 2009 (including extraction rights). It is one of the few remaining fragments of the 25 square kilometre Chat Moss mossland complex, most of which has been lost due to being cut-over for peat or being drained for agriculture.
Currently the site is in poor condition due to the intensive drainage of the site to aid the extraction of the peat. However, when restored it will provide a fantastic wetland habitat, host to a wide range of often unique species, including the iconic Sphagnum’s and the positively sticky sundews. The site already has a healthy population of water voles, common lizards, frogs and toads, smooth newt, four spotted dragonflies, and cuckoos, and we are finding more and more species everyday. 
Mosslands are also a very significant carbon store, and when in good condition can actively store (sequester) thousands of tonnes of carbon each year*. In buying this site we have saved up to 20,000 tonnes of carbon from being released into the atmosphere, through preventing further peat extraction. In addition once restored the site should also be able to store an additional 15-20 tonnes of carbon per year!
*Depending on the size of the site
Click here to read more about our important work with mossland restoration
