The Old Buslink, Copse and Hedgerow

Welcome to the Old Buslink at the bottom of Parkside Drive, which runs between the gardens of houses on Fenwick Road and Conway Close.  This narrow lane, gateway to the open space beyond, is currently a foot and cyclepath, the haunt of cats, foxes and hedgehogs, playground for squirrels,  and popular food stop for birds. 

  

 

There are fruit trees here, apple, blackberry and golden plum as well as a most beautiful sumac which glows with colour in autumn.

 

 

But everything is about to change.  This lane will become a road for through traffic to the Woodside Link.  The foot/cycle path will be on the opposite side from where it is at present, which means that this sumac and the fruit trees will be removed.  The plans show that two trees on this side and all the trees on the other side are marked as being 'retained'. 

 

The copse adjacent to Fenwick Road was an impenetrable thicket surrounding the pylons, and giving shelter to many creatures including hedgehogs, foxes, deer, birds and, according to the official survey, slow worms.  When it was scheduled to be cleared in February 2015 I objected as hedgehogs would still be hibernating.  E-mails went back and forth and I thought there was agreement that it could be left until later in the season when hibernation and the bird nesting season was over when it is illegal to clear vegetation.  But it was cleared nonetheless, and as yet we don't know by whom...

 

 

 

The survey classed this area as 'hawthorn scrub' and I was informed by the Ecologist that "...most of the existing vegetation will be retained."  In fact, most of the existing vegetation has been cleared, leaving only a fringe around the edge and a few metres in the middle to hide the electricity box.  There were many fine trees here supporting lots of birdlife as evidenced by the intensity of the dawn chorus.  It was a good deal more than 'scrub'.

My enquiries elicited the explanation that the clearance is "...to enable a temporary site compound to be built."  The site compound may be temporary but the damage to the copse is permanent.  It will take decades for the trees and bushes to regrow.  Again I was told: "The landscaping details state that existing hawthorn and other vegetation is to be maintained with mown grass paths."  There's nothing left to maintain. 

 

The landscape plans, which were available to view at the Town Council in January, show this area as mostly "...wildflower grass areas or scrub, and open grassland," with a few thinly scattered individual trees.  The response to my enquiry was:

"The plans do not just show grassland but include areas of species rich wildflower grassland and scrub with amenity grass running through as paths and glades."  You cannot have glades without trees!    

The total clearance has meant the dawn chorus is much less intense.  Summer visitors have arrived, white throat, black cap, chiffchaff, but not the willow warbler.  This area will no longer be a rich wildlife habitat as it was before.  A great loss.  Was it really necessary to destroy so much...?

 

On a brighter note, the trees on the west side of the Parkside Link will be retained and "...As much existing hedge as possible will be retained, and a lost section to the south-east will be replanted until it merges with the planting on the embankment.  Temporary fencing will be installed until this hedge is established. An amenity grass area will be created alongside existing vegetation."

 

 

 

This mature hedge, over 12ft high, contains hawthorn, blackthorn, wayfaring tree and field maple, and these species will be replicated in the continuation of the hedge up to the embankment. 

 

Wayfaring Tree

The original plans had put a knee-high rail as the only barrier between the grassed play area and the road, which I felt was inadequate both as protection for cars from balls and dogs on the road, and for people and dogs in case of cars encroaching on the green space in the event of an accident.  Also, a knee-rail would allow anyone tall enough to step over and cross the road at any point along it to get to the foot path on the other side, hindering traffic flow and increasing risk of accidents.  Now pedestrians and cyclists will be able to cross only at the crossing - safer for everyone. 

 

Looking south down Parkside Drive from the 'gateway', this hedge actually blocks the view ahead to the Woodside Link.  I hope this will encourage drivers to keep to the 20mph speed limit through the houses.  The line of the road was to have gone right through this hedge, but now it will follow the curve to the left and at the bottom, where a short section will be lost, a new hedge will be planted up to the embankment for the bridge over the stream.

 

 

Saved for birds, for people, for dogs!