A cohort of five MNTVers drove to Formby on a cool but surprisingly bright March morning to meet Nathan, our Ranger boss for the day. The job was filling in holes - a change from digging them! - in the woods just a five minute walk from the Countryside offices. This part of the woods is a SSSI and Nature England has given permission for a small Wild Bike Trail where bike (not motorbike!) enthusiasts can build jumps.
It’s a multi-use area and the rules for the trail are quite strict - digging holes is allowed but some were so deep tree roots were being undermined posing a danger to walkers as well as the trees. But at least the jumps being built were nearby so we ‘just’ had to put the soil back where it came from. Hopefully the trees will survive a few more years now. In other areas, walking paths were being built up to provide bike tracks. After more shovelling the surfaces were suitable for walking again.
During the day some of the bikers and their parents came over concerned their fun was being spoiled. It gave Nathan an opportunity to do some education and remind them the area is protected and is for mixed use of walkers as well as bikers.
Jean
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