PAPER B

Purpose : For Information

Committee :    AFTON MARSH MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Date :              19 MARCH 2002

Title :              REPORT OF THE COUNTRYSIDE SECTION ON MANAGEMENT WORK ON AFTON MARSH LOCAL NATURE RESERVE

REPORT OF THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR CORPORATE AND ENVIRONMENT SERVICES

Since the last meeting of the Management Committee in November the main issue affecting the management of the Local Nature Reserve has been the high water levels in the North Marsh. Two meetings have taken place with representatives of English Nature and the Environment Agency and a way forward has been formulated. English Nature assert that the high water levels are not in themselves a conservation issue but the lack of public access is a concern to local residents and, of course, to the Management Committee. English Nature have stressed that a solution to the access problem should be allied to wildlife enhancement and that they would look favourably on a scheme which addresses both issues.

While the work downstream of Afton Road is likely to take place in the summer, the main thrust of the conservation management of the reserve has taken place adjacent to Blackbridge Road and on the South marsh to the north of the area cleared in the 2000 - 01 winter. The area has now been cleared as far as the river to the east and almost to the Willow tongue in the north. The work has been undertaken by our Countryside Rangers, Karl Dyson and Ellis Selway, assisted by a wide range of voluntary helpers. Dr Colin Pope visited the cleared area and has been satisfied with the progress this year and has complimented the Rangers on their work. The Elm clearance has continued with trees being removed adjacent to Blackbridge Road. The branches have been chipped and the chips taken to Golden Hill Park for use on the footpaths. In the future, time and budget provision will be necessary to remove affected Elm trees from the reserve because there is still a great deal of work to be completed. We do not normally continue to work on site after the start of the bird nesting season, but some work is still outstanding and this will be done in due course. There will be no more clearance work on a large scale, however, until later in the season.

The Voluntary Warden for Afton Marsh, Derrick Mannering, has been very helpful in reporting back the wishes of the local residents and also monitoring the condition of the marsh. The permissive paths in the North Marsh were left open voluntarily until after the New Year so that as many people as possible could see the condition of the reserve. The paths are now temporarily closed with a contact telephone number for interested parties to call if they need further information. To date most of the communication has been with Freshwater Parish Council and we understand their concerns.

Contact Point : R E Edney, Countryside Officer, ☎  823890

M J A FISHER

Strategic Director Corporate and Environment Services