South Gloucestershire Council

Published: 20/07/2012

The council is supporting World Environment Day which this year encourages people to take part in events such as neighbourhood clean ups, as one of many ways to celebrate this global day for positive action on behalf of the environment.

Thanks to a council environmental grant, public rights of way officers have provided equipment and training for the Southwold Ramblers group to improve an existing path which runs through the heart of Ridge Wood local nature reserve.

The land in Yate is owned by Hanson quarry and the woodland is managed by the council. The path runs along the ridge to the eastern edge of the nature reserve and the working groups have been putting stone chippings donated by Hanson along this enhanced walkway.

Nicola Chidley, senior public rights of way officer, said: “This is a great example of partnership working between the council, the ramblers and Hanson to make improvements to the local environment which everyone can enjoy. Once the routes are completed the idea is that the volunteers become wardens who look after the paths across South Gloucestershire as well as encouraging people to start using them more often to explore the great outdoors.”

Tony Harris from the Southwold Ramblers group lead the working party set up to improve the pathway. He said: “As a group, we assist with the Rambler Association’s aims of monitoring our local network of rights of ways, ensuring they are way marked, clear of overgrowth and other obstructions in order to keep them in use for all. This work is carried out in co-operation with the local authorities and we are delighted to be helping out at Ridge Wood.”

This particular project is funded by a £2,500 environment grant as well as grant money from Ramblers Holidays, and Natural England.

As well as the group at Ridge Wood, volunteers from Kingswood rambler group have carried out a work party in Siston, Kingswood.

More information about World Environment Day at http://www.unep.org/wed/challenge/