Encroachment  of scrub and bramble over much of the estate has been long identified as one of  the biggest threats to the historic designed parkland. Whilst KWAG has sought  to help in small areas, it remains the Council’s duty to deal with the issue at  such a wide scale. Our July Working Party was one small element in addressing  the issue.

Our work focused on the far east end of the meadow overlooking Shirehampton Park. Here, just on the west side of the Iron Bridge, two Public Rights of Way (PROW) join. The one coming directly uphill from Shirehampton Roads being the focus of our attentions.

Our work focused on the far east end of the meadow overlooking Shirehampton Park. Here, just on the west side of the Iron Bridge, two Public Rights of Way (PROW) join. The one coming directly uphill from Shirehampton Roads being the focus of our attentions.

What’s called the “definitive map” that shows PROW indicates that this should travel in a direct line between the bottom of the bank to the steps behind the Echo, but successive years of sloppy mowing had allowed scrub to grow, progressively pushing the PROW off its legal alignment and threatening the open grassland. Worse, the path itself was threatened with being blocked by the growth.

Work focussed on removing this scrub, mostly elm regrowth, Old Man’s Beard, and sloe, and pushing the edges back to their historic extent. The turnout on the day was perfect to tackle the relatively modest area, and we exceeded expectations in how much we’d achieve.

A huge thank you to everyone who made it on a scorching hot day. The group managed to get the work done quickly enough to avoid the worst of the heat, and we were able to retire for a well earned early lunch.

The results speak for themselves. Although the track still meanders around the distorted route, it’s clear and the way opened out to allow the important meadowland more space to regenerate.