Protecting the road infrastructure from flooding and wildfire and improving safety for road users
Moorland restoration on RSPB Rakes Moss (Crowden Moor)
Developing restoration plans for four further sites
Restoration works are underway on Crowden moor for a project bringing together National Highways, National Trust, United Utilities and the RSPB.
Restoration works are underway on Crowden moor for a project bringing together National Highways, National Trust, United Utilities and the RSPB.
The project will have positive effects, at a landscape scale, helping to protect the A628 and M62 road corridors from flooding events due to the natural flood management benefits of healthy peatland restoration, and reducing the risk of moorland fire.
The work at Crowden Moor includes 120 ha sphagnum planting and upto 6 ha heather cutting.
In parallel with delivering a package of peatland restoration at Crowden Moor, the Partnership will develop restoration plans for a further four localities and prepare for delivery post-March 2026 on Rishworth Moor.
Under the project we are also developing restoration plans for four further sites: Butterworth on the M62, Arnfield, Crowden (phase 2) and Peaknaze on the A628.
Monday 2 March 2026
Celebration of partnership working
Moors for the Future Partnership hosted a visit to Crowden Moor by National Highways, the Peak District National Park Authority, National Trust, United Utilities and RSPB to celebrate a partnership project which allows moorland restoration to take place on a landscape scale. Together they also planted some of the last of the 360,000 sphagnum plugs that National Highways have funded this winter.
Thursday 26 February 2026
National Highways team join volunteer sphagnum planting
Moors for the Future Partnership welcomed a team from National Highways to Snailsden Moor for a day of volunteer sphagnum planting. The hardy group braved the 30mph gusting winds and piercing rain and gained first-hand experience of moorland restoration work. The restoration site overlooks the continuous flow of traffic along the A628, demonstrating how closely these habitats and major arteries interconnect. The group planted in the challenging conditions, an area covering 1.3Ha and placed 1,600 sphagnum plugs that will help to rewet the moor.