MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE AFTON MARSH ADVISORY COMMITTEE HELD AT THE MEMORIAL HALL, FRESHWATER, ISLE OF WIGHT ON 19 MARCH 2002 COMMENCING AT 11AM 

 

Present : 

 

Mr C H Lillywhite - Isle of Wight Council

Mr R Appleby - Marsh Warden

Mr M Chatfield - Senior Countryside Officer

Mr C D Court - Western Yar EMP

Mr O J Dunne - Property Services

Mr B Edney - Countryside Officer

Mr P Ewbank - Wildlife Trust and IWNHAS

Mr D W Mannering - Marsh Warden

                                   Mr L E Rogerson - Freshwater Parish Council 

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8.        MINUTES

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 13 November 2002 be confirmed.

9.        REPORT OF THE COUNTRYSIDE SECTION

The Countryside Officer reported that 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.

 

The Chairman read out a letter from the Environment Agency outlining the way forward and plans for the work in July following a meeting with the Countryside Officer and hopefully this will alleviate the water levels in the north marsh.

Mr Court representing the Western Yar Management Committee reported that his Committee had raised concerns of the lack of waterflow at the Causeway.

 

10.      AFTON ROAD BRIDGE RECONSTRUCTION

 

The Countryside Officer reported that the Highways budget was not available to replace the whole bridge and a compromise concrete slab had been installed to improve the road condition.

 

RESOLVED

 

THAT the report be noted.

 

11.      UNAUTHORISED FENCE REMOVAL

 

Oliver Dunne Property Services Manager briefed the Committee on the position regarding the fence and access at Sandpipers. After consideration it was :-

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT the fence be restored on the original line and unauthorised access prevented. The Countryside Officer agreed to swear an affidavit.

 

12.      WESTERN YAR MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

 

Mr Court updated the Committee on the areas of concern that the Western Yar Management committee were looking at in particular dredging of the salt marsh which the Committee had engaged the services of Professor Pethick to strike a balance between the need for conservation of the saltmarsh and the need for deeper draft for larger boats using the estuary. There was also concern of the public use of Norton Spit which was detrimental to the area and the Committee would be installing wildlife boards to educate the public on the use of this Site of Scientific Interest. He also mentioned a study that was going to carried out by Solent European Marine which would be looking at important areas around the Solent from Hurst Castle to Chichester.

 

RESOLVED

 

THAT Mr Court be thanked for his report and be noted.

 

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT the next meeting be held on the 12 November 2002 at 11am and also a walk be arranged when the work on the North Marsh had been completed.

 

CHAIRMAN