Calls for repairs to Hic Bibi path after rain washes part of it away

People walking on the trail over Hic Bibi brook, which is on the border of Standish and Coppull, have noticed the damage in recent days.

The issue has been reported to both Wigan and Chorley’s local authorities in the hope that it can be rectified.

Coun Debbie Parkinson, who represents Standish on Wigan Council, said: “I reported this last week - I got the new bridle path signs a couple of years ago and some overhanging trees cut.

“I know the council are working on reduced staff at the moment so work may be slow to be done.

“Some may be Chorley Council land but I’ll still report.”

Coun Parkinson encouraged people who had any picture of the damage to send them to her.

Resident Rick Alston, who first raised concerns about the path last year, said: “I took a photo of this last April when only half of it had collapsed, but nobody did anything about it.”

Another resident, Anne Hayton added: “I hope the path is restored. It’s a beautiful area and a very popular walk.”

Visitors can walk up the track to Hic Bibi nature reserve which is the site of a former brickworks.

The beauty spot contains a range of rare species including the great crested newt and grasshopper warbler.

In his History of Coppull book, author Hubert Welsh said that local tradition has it that the name Hic Bibi was given to the well of that name by Oliver Cromwell.

Meaning “drink here” in Latin, Hic Bibi well was one of three holy wells in the ‘Layland Hundred’.

As the land surrounding the well was monastic land, it is likely that the Latin name was given by the monks.

There would probably have been some notice by the well to inform travellers on the ancient highway that the water was fit to drink.

Email [email protected] if you have photos of the mess.

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