straw s bridge west hallam - erewash borough council · become increasingly popular among both...

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Straw’s Bridge

West Hallam

Management Plan

Erewash Borough Council

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Contact:


Merlin House

Merlin Way

Ilkeston

Derbyshire

DE7 4RA

Direct Line Tel: 0115 9072244 Ext 3887

Main Switch Board: 0115 9072244

Website: www.erewash.gov.uk

Email: [email protected]

Straw’s Bridge

West Hallam


Management Plan 2014 - 2018

http://www.erewash.gov.uk/

mailto:[email protected]

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Executive Summary 6

Chapter 1. Introduction, background & context 1.0 Introduction & background 7 2.0 Vision 8 3.0 Aims 8 4.0 Site name 9 5.0 Location & size 10 6.0 Site description 11 7.0 Land tenure 14 8.0 Legal factors 14 9.0 Local demographics 15 10.0 History 16 11.0 National Context 16 12.0 Local strategic context 21

Chapter 2. Where are we now? 13.0 Introduction 24 14.0 The Green Flag Award 24 15.0 A welcoming place 25 16.0 Healthy, safe and secure 26 17.0 Well maintained and clean 32 18.0 Sustainability 33 19.0 Conservation and heritage 35 20.0 Community involvement 38 21.0 Marketing 40 22.0 Management 41

Chapter 3. Where do we want to go? 23.0 Introduction 44 24.0 Aims and objectives 44 25.0 Conservation Management 50

Contents

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List of tables Table number Page Title

1 7 Legislation Framework

2 15 Population Data

3 29 Site Risk Assessment

4 41 Previous Expenditure

List of Appendices

Appendix 1

Management Compartment Plan

Appendix 2

Biodiversity Audit

Appendix 3

Friends Meetings Minutes

Appendix 4

Marketing Plan

Appendix 5

Green Space Strategy

www2.erewash.gov.uk/moderngov/documents/s3605/Appendix%201%20Agenda%2

0Item%2013%20Draft%20Green%20Space%20Strategy%2013_02_09.pdf

http://www2.erewash.gov.uk/moderngov/documents/s3605/Appendix%201%20Agenda%20Item%2013%20Draft%20Green%20Space%20Strategy%2013_02_09.pdf

http://www2.erewash.gov.uk/moderngov/documents/s3605/Appendix%201%20Agenda%20Item%2013%20Draft%20Green%20Space%20Strategy%2013_02_09.pdf

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The area which is now known as Straw's Bridge includes the site of the old West

Hallam Sewage Works. In the 1970's and 1980's open cast mining was carried out.

The company concerned got into financial difficulties and although they had pledged

to restore the site they were unable to do so.

In the 1990’s Erewash Borough Council took over the site and began restoration and

development of the site as a wildlife habitat and local amenity. Since then it has

become increasingly popular among both locals and visitors from further afield.

The Council, together with its partners, recognises its importance and value to the

local and wider community. It has recently undergone a programme of improvements

to make it an even more welcoming place to visit and we are committed to

continuously improving the services and facilities offered at the site.

This Management Plan seeks to set out a comprehensive plan for Straw’s Bridge. It

acknowledges previous studies and pulls together these and current issues and the

priorities arising from professional and community consultation. It is essential that

this plan remains a working document and the later sections detail the intentions for

the future management of the site and how this will be reviewed.

Councillor Mike Wallis

Lead Member for Culture and Leisure

Executive Summary

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Chapter 1 Introduction, background & context

1.1 Summary of the management plan

This management plan is to be used in conjunction with other corporate documents

to ensure the future development of Straw’s Bridge. It has come about due to

Erewash Borough Council’s commitment to improve Parks and Open Spaces and to

pursue Green Flag Status as a means of continuous improvement.

1.2 Format

The plan is set out in three distinct sections, which provide the following:

A general background history of the natural green space and how it fits into

the Council’s policy aims and objectives;

Where the natural green space is currently and an assessment of strengths

and weaknesses following the Green Flag judging criteria;

Management needs future objectives to improve the natural green space;

including a five year action plan starting in 2015 and ending in 2015.

1.3 Target audience and usage

Primarily the management plan is to be used by council officers and maintenance

staff to ensure continuous development and improvement and prevent deviation from

the consultation framework written into the plan. Secondly the plan is for the Friends

of Straw’s Bridge and the wider community, for information and for them to be aware

of key issues and development progress.

1.0 Introduction and background

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Our vision is to ensure Straw’s Bridge remains a haven for native flora and fauna,

growing both in number and diversity, and to provide a breathing place on the edge

of Ilkeston for local people and visitors.

The future development of the site has come about from Erewash Borough Council’s

Corporate Aims, Green Space and Street Scene Team objectives and consultation

with the friends group and the wider community. It follows the Green Flag judging

criteria as follows:

To provide a welcoming natural green space for members of the community

and visitors.

To provide a safe, healthy and secure natural green space for all users.

To achieve a consistently high standard of cleanliness and maintenance.

To promote and demonstrate environmental sustainability.

To protect and promote the heritage and conservation value.

To enable community participation and involvement.

To promote the natural green space by maximising marketing opportunities,

thus raising the profile.

To ensure effective management and corporate support.

2.0 Vision

3.0 Aims

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The site was named Straw’s Bridge after the bridge over the Nutbrook Canal which

is adjacent to the site and includes the site of the old West Hallam Sewage Works.

In the 1970's and 1980's open cast mining was carried out on the site. In 1992

Erewash Borough Council took over and began restoration and development of the

site as a wildlife habitat and local amenity.

4.0 Site name

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Straw’s Bridge is located on the A609 High Lane East, West Hallam, Ilkeston, Derbyshire, DE7 6HZ. The site holds three ponds and occupies 6.265 hectares. Grid Reference: SK 535324203

5.0 Location & size

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6.1 Background Straw’s Bridge is located on the boundary between the town of Ilkeston and the village of West Hallam. The site is used on a daily basis by visitors and residents who enjoy walking, exercising their dogs, feeding the wildlife. Straw’s Bridge also provides access to the popular Nutbrook Trail. The site is also used by local groups for natural history walks and events along with environmental volunteering. Strong links have also been made with the Friends of Straw’s Bridge. The site consists of three large ponds, woodland and scrub areas of grassland, including amenity, semi improved and marshy grassland. A Biodiversity Audit has recently been completed for the site. The ponds balance the surrounding surface water, acting as urban flood relief whilst supporting a diverse range of biodiversity. The woodland and scrub areas are planted in some areas but are semi-natural adjacent to the ponds and along the watercourse. The canopies are dominated by species indicative of damp conditions such as alder, goat and grey willow, frequent osier and occasional crack willow. Hawthorn is also abundant on the site along with silver birch, hazel, ash and blackthorn on the drier areas of the site. 6.2 Context within the green space network The attractive nature of this natural green space draws visitors from the wider community. It benefits from close proximity to both Ilkeston and West Hallam and is a popular location for recreational use. It has an important role in attracting new residents to the area and is an oasis of green on the fringe of an urban area. 6.3 Landscape zones The landscaping of the site encompasses many of the characteristics of a natural green space, consisting of woodland, scrub/woodland and under scrub, grassland and wetland habitats. Grassland communities are typically composed of rough grassland which includes ox-eye daisy and frequent ragged robin, bird’s foot-trefoil, common sorrel, common vetch, creeping cinquefoil, knapweed and cuckoo-flower. Grasses include abundant common couch; red fescue; frequent cock’s-foot and rough meadow-grass. This document comprises a management plan that describes and evaluates the site before identifying management objectives and operations for the next five years. The site possesses a diversity of habitats and vegetation communities. The main

6.0 Site description

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habitats present are wetlands comprised of ponds, young scrub and grassland communities. 6.3.1 The Ponds There are three large eutrophic ponds on the site, a large lake to the south-west of the site adjacent to the visitor parking (P1) and two slightly smaller lakes to the east with woodland and scrub at their perimeters (P2 and P3). The south-western pond (P1) has club rush and red canary grass at its margins, however, it is heavily grazed by water fowl. Planted coir rolls have been installed at the ponds margins; however these have not been entirely successful as they have also been grazed by wildfowl and appear to have minimal plant diversity. There are no floating /emergent vegetation which may be due to the high turbidity / disturbance levels from the high number of wildfowl and the anticipated high nutrient levels from their droppings. Other scattered marginal vegetation includes hard rush, great willow herb and common reed. The eastern ponds both have fringes of lesser pond-sedge and bulrush, the northernmost one (3) with common reed along the northern shore, but no floating or emergent vegetation. These ponds are not detrimentally affected by wildfowl; this may be due to the comparatively less accessible margins which deter some species, in particular swans and geese. 6.3.2 Swamp and marginal inundation vegetation Swamp and marginal inundation areas are adjacent to all three ponds. They consist of a range of species typical of damp environments, for example: abundant creeping bent; frequent bulrush; common reed; hard-rush; amphibious bistort; water mint and angelica. Other rushes include common spike-rush and jointed rush which are occasional. 6.3.3 Broad-leaved woodland scrub The woodland and scrub areas were planted in some areas but are semi-natural where adjacent to the ponds and along the watercourse. The canopies are dominated by species indicative of the damp conditions, such as alder, goat and grey willow, frequent osier and occasional crack willow. Hawthorn is abundant with frequent silver birch, hazel, ash and blackthorn in the drier woodland patches. The ground flora is dominated by common nettle, alongside abundant cow parsley and frequent rough meadow grass, bramble and hogweed

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6.3.4 Native species rich hedge The hedge lies on the south-western boundary of the site and is approximately 260m in length. It is dominated by hawthorn with frequent cherry, field maple and hazel. Other species include occasional geulder rose, pendunculate oak and honeysuckle, 6.3.5 Amenity grassland Small patches of amenity grassland are located near to the edges of the ponds and are dominated by perennial rye-grass with abundant annual meadow grass. Creeping buttercup and white clover are also abundant with common ragwort and common daisy frequent within the sward. Ox-eye daisy is occasional. 6.3.6 Neutral grassland Species poor and semi improved neutral grassland are recorded across the site, these grassland types are adjacent to and occasionally merge with one another, with the more species-rich areas lying primarily adjacent to the edge of Pond1. Species found within these grasslands include ox-eye daisy and frequent ragged robin, bird’s foot-trevoil, common sorrel, common vetch, creeping cinquefoil, knapweed and cuckoo-flower. Grasses include: abundant common couch; red fescue; frequent cock’s-foot and rough meadow grass.

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Straw’s Bridge is owned by Erewash Borough Council and maintained by the Green

Space and Street Scene Section. The Friends of Straw’s Bridge carry out litter picks

on the site, small scale tree and shrub management and help arrange and

coordinate various events on the site.

Derbyshire County Council as Highways Authority are responsible for their statutory

duties for the public rights of way which run through the site (Nutbrook Trail).

8.1 Legislation

Enforcement and education relating to the following legislation is carried out by

Neighbourhood Wardens and Green Space and Street staff in the area or the Police

where appropriate.

Legislation Relevance to green

space

Responsibility

organisation

The Dogs (Fouling of

Land) Act 1996

Dog fouling, fines and

disposal


Crime and Disorder Act Community Safety eg anti-

social behaviour

Police, Erewash Borough

Council and strategic

partners

Occupiers Liability Health and Safety of

visitors


Road Traffic Act Illegal access by motor

vehicles including motor

bikes and mini motos

Police

Environmental Act (1990) Litter, fly tipping and

abandoned vehicles


Clean Neighbourhood and

Environment Act 2005

Litter, fly tipping, dog

fouling


7.0 Land tenure

8.0 Legal Factors

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8.2 Public Rights of Way

The Nutbrook Trail runs through the centre of the site and is jointly managed

between Erewash Borough Council and Derbyshire County Council.

8.3 Covenants

There are no covenants on the site.

8.4 Designations

The site is designated as a natural green space within Erewash’s Green Space

Strategy.

9.1 Introduction

Straw’s Bridge is located on the A609 on the fringe of both West Hallam and

Ilkeston.

9.2 Population Data

Erewash has a population of 112,081; this figure is based on the 2011 census.

Straw’s Bridge is on the outskirts of both West Hallam and Ilkeston and falls in to the

West Hallam Parish, although the natural green space does serve the wider

community of Erewash.

Below is a breakdown for West Hallam Parish and the population at the time of the

2011 census.

Ward Male Population Female Population Total Population

West Hallam 2258 2428 4686

9.3 Employment Data

Employment data for West Hallam Parish shows figures which are in line with

national averages.

9.0 Local demographics

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9.4 Tourism

There are no official figures showing the number of visitors to Straw’s Bridge, the

area does offer visitors a place to reflect and enjoy the outdoors. Visitors can enjoy

woodland walks, local biodiversity and landscape.

10.1 In the Beginning

The area which is now the Straw's Bridge Natural Green Space includes the site of

the old West Hallam Sewage

Works. In the 1970's and 1980's

open cast mining was carried out

on the site. The company who

carried out the open cast mining

got into financial difficulties and

although they had pledged to

restore the site they were unable to

do so.

Erewash Borough Council took

over the site in 1992 and began restoration and development of the site as a wildlife

habitat and local amenity. Since then it has become increasingly popular among both

locals and visitors from further afield.

10.2 Recent History

There is an active Friends Group who liaise closely with the Green Space and Street

Scene Team. Over the last two years there have been many improvements to the

site which include new signage, pond edge improvements, path repairs and seating.

In developing the Management Plan for Straw’s Bridge it is important to recognise

the current political and policy context Parks and Landscape Managers are operating

within. The national strategic contexts set out the framework and determine the aims

and objectives for future managements of parks and open spaces. A number of

current policy guidance notes and publications are relevant and are listed below:

10.0 History

11.00 National Context

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11.1 The Big Society

The three strands to The Big Society are:

Public Sector Reform

Fundamental Actions

A right to know – Transparency and Public accountability.

A right to challenge – so customers never again feel powerless to challenge the way

public services are deployed.

Turning Government on its head – so it works for communities not just for ministers.

Community Empowerment

Locally led innovation, allowing and supporting local communities to be empowered

to help themselves make improvements in areas important to them.

Philanthropic Action

Helping others to achieve their goals, by sharing information and best practice,

working together to support others to make improvements and changes they want.

11.2 A guide to producing parks and green space management plans

A guide produced by Cabe Space, which sets out a structure for writing Management

Plans to help future management of our Green Spaces.

11.3 Developing Accessible Play Space

A good practice guide published by former Governments, Communities and Local

Government Department from May 2006. It recognised that all children make life

development through the social and emotional skills of play. The introduction of the

Disabled Discrimination Act of 1995 led the guide to understand that each child can

be different and that a child’s life development through access to play is key. The

guide’s recommendation is to make the developer concentrate on making the

environment fit for the child.

11.4 Green Space Better Places

A report published by the Department for Transport Local Government and the Local

Regions to encourage better parks and public green spaces.

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The report shows how public green spaces have suffered a severe decline in the

past 20 years. The report was presented to the former government highlighting the

decline, displaying the needs by all sectors of society to work together achieving

better planning, design, managing and maintaining our green spaces. The

presentation was made in the hope of producing a national strategy for parks and

green spaces.

The former government’s response to the presentation was published in 2002 by the

Living Places: Cleaner, Safer and Greener documentation, including a 5 year

Strategic Framework for the improvement to public green spaces.

This ethos has been adopted by Erewash Borough Council and is driving Green

Space and Street Scene and the Planning Section into providing good quality,

accessible public open space, not only in parks but also the highways and town

centre.

11.5 Manifesto For Better Public Spaces

Launched in March 2004 by Cabe Space to create a national consensus and make

quality parks and public green spaces a political and financial priority. Research for

Cabe Space has shown that 85% of people believe that the quality of green spaces

have a direct impact on their lives. The manifesto show how community involvement

can be introduced in to local green spaces.

Erewash Borough Council have nine Friends Groups associated with Parks,

Cemeteries and Local Nature Reserves throughout the Borough, and have carried

out extensive consultation with the public and associations for the Green Space and

Play Strategy.

11.6 Park Life, Urban Parks and Social Renewal

A report by Comedia in association with Demos, based upon the largest survey of

park use ever undertaken within the UK. This report examines past management

and funding of parks, asking why so many of them seem to be so poorly cared for.

These studies have been produced to make a new vision for urban parks. The

reorganisation of the Green Space and Street Scene Section has meant the trend of

Parks to decline has been halted, the improvement process will take time but this is

a positive step forward for the Parks and Open spaces for Erewash.

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11.7 Parks and Green Spaces: Engaging the Community

Published by Green Space in 2002 as a guide for local authorities outlines the

reason for engaging local communities and encouraging community participation in

the management and development of parks and open spaces. The guide suggests

that:

Community engagement is not about reaching an end point is a dynamic process

requiring high and substantial levels of involvement;

It is important to establish the reason for engaging the community.

Community based activities ought to compliment the aims of the organisation.

Developing site management plans in partnership with the community helps ensure

ownership.

Linking community groups together as part of a wider supportive umbrella can add

more support to the local authority.

The Borough Council for many years and have used their connexions with the local

community to undertake consultation to ascertain the needs and requirements of the

local community on various issues relating to natural green space. This included a

planning exercise and workshops with local people to inform the improvements.

11.8 Parks and Squares Who Cares?

In response to the manifesto for Better Public Places, Cabe Space’s public

consultation asked what people think about parks and public open space. This gives

a real insight into how people want their local authorities to deliver the following

promises:

Management and maintenance

Community resource

Space for nature

Leisure and relaxation

Design quality and cultural heritage

Health and well being

Local economy

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The analysis made by Cabe shows there is a huge demand for high quality well

designed and maintained parks and public open spaces. People do not want to see

these as short term improvements but for them to become a year-round

commitment.

Erewash Borough Council are undertaking extensive consultation to inform the

Green Space Strategy, but ensuring key areas around important parks are targeting

to further inform the management plans for the individual green spaces concerned.

Policy Planning Guidance No 17 (PPG17) and Assessing Needs and Opportunities:

A companion guide to PPG17.

Originally published by the former Officer of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM, now

the “Communities and Local Government “from May 2006).

The policy planning guidance sets out the policies needed to take in to consideration

by regional planning bodies in the preparation of regional planning guidance and by

local planning authorities in the preparation of development plans.

The guide sets out the government objectives for green space and recreation and

views firmly in achieving the following:

Networks of high quality, accessible green spaces, which are economical and

environmentally sustainable and meet local needs.

An appropriate balance between new and the enhancement of existing green

space provision.

Deliver clarity to the developers in relation to the requirements and

expectations of the local planning authorities.

Local planning authorities are required to demonstrate that green space and

recreation meets the local demand based upon Accessibility, Quality, Multi

functionality, Primary Purpose and Quality.

11.9 Start with the Park

A Cabe Space publication produced in July 2005 as a good practice guide for the

creation and care of green spaces. The guide offers advice in creating sustainable

green spaces were people like living and want to stay, creating a happy and healthy

community in areas of housing growth and renewal.

11.10 The Value of Public Space

A Cabe publication aimed to provide the key facts of many ways to improve public

open space and enrich our lives. The guide provides the information needed to

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make a case for better quality green space, presenting evidence of the huge benefits

of investing in and caring for our public green space.

This management plan sits alongside the wider strategic context of other Erewash

Borough Council Policies and Documents currently in place. The Council’s aim is to

achieve the objectives of the strategic framework set out within the following Policies

and documents that are appropriate for Straw’s Bridge.

12.1 Erewash Borough Council Values

The Council has a vision of:

To put Erewash on the map – A First class borough in which people have pride and

where they choose to live, work and play and is focusing its ambitions of:

Making Erewash a good place for all to live life to the full

Making Erewash cleaner, greener and safer

Working towards a brighter future

To deliver excellent services

We have identified the following priorities under these four ambitions, the delivery of

which will have significant community outcomes.

To increase access to services and benefits

To promote health for all

To increase participation in culture and leisure activities

To keep the Borough Clean

To support the provision and maintenance of high quality public spaces for all

To reduce Erewash’s impact on the use of natural resources

To reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, and the fear of crime and anti-

social behaviour

To support our local businesses, economy and employment

To increase the availability of suitable housing

12.0 Local Strategic Context

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To promote suitable new development while protecting the borough’s natural,

historic and built environment

To build vibrant communities where people get on well together and have

pride in their neighbourhood

To provide accessible services that meet the needs of our customers

To enable more people to feel listened to and involved

To deliver yet further efficiency and value for money services

12.2 Environmental Strategy

The management of Straw’s Bridge takes on board the research and initiatives

generated by the Borough Council’s Environmental Strategy. We recognise the

importance of parks and green open spaces; they were listed amongst the top three

‘likes’ of our residents. The strategy identified the importance of:

green spaces which are free of litter and dog fouling;

the planting of more trees;

protecting and valuing local heritage;

working with young people to encourage them to use our green spaces more

and increase environmental awareness;

creating safe routes through parks to encourage walking and discourage car

use.

12.3 Green Space Strategy

This Green Space Strategy has been developed from the 2006 audit of the

Borough’s open space assets and the assessment of the community’s current and

future needs.

The Green Space Strategy for Erewash was adopted in March 2009. This was the

result of 18 months of consultation with the views, help and involvement of a cross

section of the community. The views of this cross section were from people who use

the green spaces and people who do not, people who are involved with

organisations, interest groups, allotment holders, ‘Friends of’ the parks and

cemeteries and people whose work gives them a role in, or responsibility for, the

green spaces.

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The vision of this strategy is ‘Erewash aims to provide a diverse network of

attractive, welcoming green spaces that are well managed and maintained, attract a

broader spectrum of the population and serve to enhance the quality of life for those

who live, work and play in the Borough.’

The main reason for the original development of urban parks in Britain was to

provide clean, expansive outdoor space to promote the health and well-being of

urban population.

The use of linear parks and greenways for cycling, running and walking is well

established, as is the use of parks for personal exercise. The linking of green spaces

to provide pedestrian and cycle routes between residential areas and community

facilities such as shops and schools can further encourage a more active lifestyle.

The origins and usage of Straw’s Bridge are in line with this thinking.

A major reason for people visiting green spaces relates to what might be described

as their ‘psychological’ benefits. They are somewhere to ‘get away from it all’, ‘be

quiet’, ‘unwind’, and ‘relax’. Green spaces are valued as peaceful areas where it is

possible to escape from surrounding buildings of the town or city, as well as from

traffic and other people, (especially parents and siblings) and to seek calm,

tranquillity and relaxation and to reduce stress by allowing people to unwind. The

health benefits of contact with nature, of proximity to or views of greenery and of the

presence of trees and woodland are well documented. A study in the Netherlands,

exploring the relationship between health and green space in the living environment,

concluded that people in a greener environment report fewer health complaints and

have a better perceived general health and mental health. (Green Space Strategy,

EBC).

12.4 Play Strategy

The objectives for this strategy are:

To offer children the opportunity to play in a stimulating, creative and

adventurous environment;

To provide, as far as possible, a safe, healthy, and secure play area

environment within easy reach from home;

To minimise disturbance caused to residents of the Borough by play area

users;

To ensure that future plans, designs and equipment are as cost effective as

possible in terms of repair, maintenance and new investment.

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This is a five year strategy aimed at improving all play areas throughout the Borough,

raising them to European standard and designed to be used by all age ranges by

incorporating a toddler zone, junior zone and a youth zone

Chapter 2

Where are we now?

Erewash Borough Council have made a commitment to improve parks and green

spaces throughout the Borough using the Green Flag criteria as a benchmark on

quality and sustainability , for each criteria section there is a summary and a table

identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

Keep Britain Tidy oversee the delivery of the Green Flag Award. The scheme has

been running for over 10 years and has become a recognised national standard for

publicly accessible parks and open spaces.

It is a quality award recognising well maintained green spaces and encourages high

standards to be achieved and sustained.

The eight judging criteria are as follows:

A Welcoming Place;

Healthy, Safe and Secure;

Well Maintained and Clean;

Sustainable;

Conservation and Heritage;

Community Involvement;

Marketing;

Management.

13.0 Introduction

14.0 The Green Flag award

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15.1 Welcome and Signage

There are notice boards at all three access

points welcoming visitors to the site along

with a detailed history of Straw’s Bridge and

other important information. Additional

interpretation boards have recently been

installed and in addition there are multi-

armed finger posts at three locations which

help visitors to find their way around the site.

There is also a community notice board at

the main entrance.

15.2 Good and Safe Access

The site has three main access points; only two of which allow access for

wheelchairs and pushchairs.

We consider the main entrance to be from the car park adjacent to the A609 Derby

Road.

The main route through the site is the bridleway. This allows access to the Nutbrook

Trail. No unauthorised vehicles are allowed.

Seating is provided at different locations to enable visitors to sit and rest and enjoy

the view.

There are no buildings on site.

Strengths Weaknesses

Good provision of notice boards and

interpretative panels at entranceways

Good signage to key points around the

park site

Community notice board keeps visitors

updated about the friends group and

local activities

The car park and pathways around the

site are made of compacted stone which

require maintenance on a regular basis

No information leaflet for the site

15.0 A Welcoming Place

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Good level access and pathways

Bollards to prevent vehicular access to

the site

Adequate car parking facilities

Good, open views across the site from

the roadway which present an attractive

and inviting frontage

Opportunities Threats

Install further interpretation

Further improve car park

Produce a leaflet

Vandalism of signage. Degradation over

time/ will need replacing in the future

High usage by people walking their dogs

giving potential for dog fouling

Anti-social behaviour including use of

mini-motor bikes, motor bikes

Erosion

Flooding

Erewash Borough Council has a legal responsibility and is committed to ensuring

employees and visitors who visit or work within parks and surrounding areas can do

so safely.

All relevant employees are trained accordingly to carry out specific duties within

parks, there is a lone working policy which staff and volunteers must adhere to and

volunteers are trained and supervised when carrying out volunteering activities such

as litter picks or marshalling on event days.

Where relevant the following assessments and procedures are used when

volunteers or operatives carry out duties or organise events on parks.

Risk Assessments

COSHH Assessments

16.0 Healthy, safe and secure

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Safe Working Procedures

Safe chemical storage, application and disposal PA 1-6 (where chemicals are

used)

Specific training and certification – e.g. chainsaw use, playground inspections.

Recognised First Aiders

A regular inspection regime

16.1 Equipment and Facilities

There is a detailed maintenance regime in place to ensure standards within the site

are consistent.

Erewash Borough Council operates an out of hours service for emergencies, which

can be accessed through the main switchboard. There is also ‘Prideline’ – a 24hr

hotline that allows residents to report environmental crime in their local area.

16.2 Personal Safety

Improvements have been made to the entrances improving access and visibility in

order to make people feel safer when visiting. Removal and thinning of overgrown

thickets to open up dense areas is an ongoing project.

The Neighbourhood Wardens are managed by the Community Services Directorate

and liaise with the Community Safety Team and Police, to tackle anti-social

behaviour and low level crime. They regularly patrol the site and the surrounding

areas and will attend any problems as soon as they are reported.

In total there are 12 Wardens in Erewash recruited from a range of backgrounds

including the Police, Local Government and the Armed Forces. Whatever their

background the Wardens have a common aim of improving our environment. The

Neighbourhood Wardens are easily recognisable when out and about in Erewash,

wearing a blue and black uniform displaying the Neighbourhood Warden logo and

driving a clearly marked van.

The Wardens key areas of work include:

Environmental enforcement (including litter, fly tipping, fly posting and graffiti);

Management and operation of Erewash Public Car Parks;

Investigation and removal of abandoned vehicles;

Dog welfare and enforcement including collection of stray dogs;

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Refuse and cleanliness inspections;

Anti-social behaviour (ASB);

Town centre patrols;

Inspection of nuisance vehicles (Including the use of a highway to repair or

sell vehicles as part of a business only);

Advising members of the public about additional council services.

Wardens work with the public to:

Identify the fly tippers;

Reduce litter;

Reduce anti- social behaviour;

Reduce dog fouling;

Report crimes;

Gather evidence on anti- social behaviour cases to help us take the

appropriate action.

The Wardens continually strive to make Erewash a cleaner and more pleasant place

to live and work and they have:

Issued fixed penalty notices for depositing litter, dog fouling and abandoned

vehicles;

Investigated dog fouling hotspots and fly tipping cases;

Taken prosecutions to court and made further referrals for prosecution and

sent out warning letters;

Dealt with cases of vandalism, graffiti and fly posting;

Collected stray dogs;

Worked alongside Derbyshire Police to patrol areas with recognised anti-

social behaviour.

Erewash Borough Council operates a Comments, Compliments and Complaints

service. The public are able to access this either online, by phone or at the town

halls. The data from these is analysed monthly by the Green Space and Street

29

Scene team and any issues dealt with. ASB is discussed at each friends meeting.

Many of the friends live locally and visit the site daily. Any issues that are raised at

the friends meeting are referred to either the Neighbourhood Wardens or the Police.

However, there have not been any reports of incidents at recent Friend’s meetings.

There is a site risk assessment in place for visitors:

Item Hazard Seriousness of

potential injury

Likelihood of

injury occurring

Control

measures

Paths

Slipping and

tripping

Low Medium Paths

monitored for

erosion and

generally

kept in good

order.

Trees

1. Falling

Branches

2. Falling from

branches

3. Low Branches

1. Medium

2. Medium

3. Medium

1. Medium

2. Medium

3. Medium

Trees are

inspected

regularly and

maintenance

or felling

carried out as

necessary

Dogs

1. Attack from a

dog

2. Contact with

dog mess

1. Medium

2. Medium

1. Medium

2. Medium

Dog safety is

promoted

through the

community

warden

scheme and

guidance is

given on the

information

signage.

General

Public

Safety

1. Visitors

becoming ill or

suffering a minor

injury

1. Medium

1. Low

Good access

to the site

from the

main road. A

well used

site.

30

2. Anti-social

behaviour and

crime

2. Medium 2. Low Alcohol

banned on

site. Police

monitored.

Events

Public Liability

Issues

Medium Low Events are

monitored

closely

through a

strict

application

process.

Ponds 1.Drowning

2. Slipping

3. Cuts

1. High

2. Medium

3. Low

1. Low

2. Medium

3. Low

The banks of

the pond are

well shored.

Paths well

maintained.

16.3 Dog Fouling

Under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act the Council has the power to

issue Fixed Penalty Notices to anyone whose dog is found to be fouling the land.

Enforcement of this law is carried out by Neighbourhood Wardens, who visit the site

on a regular basis. Multi- use bins are provided.

The park is used on a daily basis by members of the public to walk their dogs.

16.4 Provision and quality of facilities

All principle footpaths within the site have been surfaced. All furniture is robust and

sustainable.

Strengths Weakness

Risk Assessments carried out

Dog enforcement implemented

Well trained and qualified staff within the

department

No full time staff on site

No toilet facilities on site

31


Encourage more interaction with the

community

Enforcement by Neighbourhood

Wardens

Parts of the site are isolated

16.5 Promoting Well Being

There are organised walks to help people appreciate the site and its wildlife and

history, and the site is regularly used by people to walk their dogs.

The site is used by joggers, walkers, cyclists and horse riders who use the site in

general, and utilise the wider connecting

footpath links.

A very active Friends Group work with the

Council to organise regular activities on the

site promoting social integration, friendship

and promoting the natural green space and

providing environmental volunteering

opportunities.

Strengths Weakness

Well used by the local community

Organised walks and environmental

events

No full time staff on site

No guided walks

No toilet facilities


Encourage more interaction with the

community

Develop guided walks programme

Erosion of paths

32

17.1 Litter and waste management

The operational staff carry out litter management within the open space this includes

the emptying of litter bins and dog fouling bins. It is also the duty of the operations

section carry out any maintenance on the open space.

The Friends group also carry out regular litter picks.

Located in the car park is Node Recycling Bank which allows co mingle recycling.

17.2. Grounds maintenance and horticulture

Maintenance schedules are followed to ensure grass cutting is undertaken on a

regular basis as required with careful consideration given to specific areas where

growth is encouraged.

The Borough Council also strim the grass edges and also meadow mow the grassed

areas in late summer/autumn.

17.3 Infrastructure maintenance

Regular weekly inspections are carried out and any problems are then reported and

dealt with as soon as possible depending on parts or equipment.

17.4 Equipment maintenance

All benches and bins are generic providing the operational staff the opportunity for

quick and easy repairs.


Good standard of benches, picnic tables,

and multi-use bins

Good standard of grounds maintenance

Benches, picnic tables and bins are

generic

Regular inspection programme

Well trained operational staff

Vehicle access to the rear of the site is

poor for the maintenance team

Limited information on dog ownership

Limited variety of furniture

Limited staff training on customer care

Limited operational resources

17.0 Well maintained and clean

33


Additional furniture

Customer care training for operational

staff

Use of the Friends group to support the

maintenance programme

Promotion of positive dog ownership

Fly tipping at the main entrance

Vandalism

18.1 Environmental policies and resource conservation

The Borough Council developed an Environmental Strategy which was adopted in

April 2007. There is also an Environmental Partnership consisting of EBC,

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and Derbyshire County Council, linking with local

businesses, schools and other authorities such as the Police.

18.2 Pesticide and Herbicide use

Pesticide and Herbicide usage throughout the Borough is kept to a minimum. Where

pesticides and herbicides do have to be used, the Borough Council will not purchase

any product containing UK “red list” or EU “black list” chemicals.

Where it becomes necessary to use chemicals, care is taken not to allow the product

to enter watercourses, ponds, drains etc. The use of residual chemicals is kept to an

absolute minimum.

Any pesticides used are selected and used in accordance with the requirements of

the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Amendments Regulations 2004

(COSHH 2004), the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 acts and the Food and

Environment Protection Act (FEPA).

Herbicide is only used on hard standing areas, such as the path network.

18.3 Use of Peat

Peat based products will not be used for landscape works. Wherever possible all

tree planting on this site will use bare-rooted field grown nursery stock. If container

18.0 Sustainability

34

grown specimens have to be used then a peat free or reduced peat growing medium

would be preferred. Tree planting composts and other soil ameliorants will be peat

free.

At Erewash Borough Council glasshouses, annual bedding is grown in a

coir/loam/perlite mix. The Peatland Charter was adopted by the authority in 1997.

18.4 Waste minimisation

The meadow cut carried out on the site is selectively stacked in strategic locations to

encourage reptiles.

The Council has also adopted a recycling regime for green waste, by chipping and

mulching on site if possible: the waste is then reused on site as a mulch. Litter is

taken to the main depot for disposal.

18.5 Arboricultural and Woodland Management

Our Tree Officer looks after the Borough’s tree stock. Trees within Straw’s Bridge are

monitored on a regular basis. The long term aim is to have a site specific

arboricultural management plan to ensure replacement planting and a healthy tree

stock.


Development and commitment to the

Environmental Policy and partnership

Dedicated Tree Officer

No Peat used on site

No replacement programme for trees in

place


Guided woodland walks

Woodland/tree trail leaflet

Develop tree planting programme

Recreational pressure – increase in

walking, cycling

Fly tipping

35

19.1 Natural features, wildlife and flora

The site contains a mixture of habitats which provide a range of habitat niches for

wildlife, in particular the woodland and scrub are important for breeding birds and

foraging bats. The ponds provide limited habitat for birds but are used by foraging

Daubenton’s bats.

The neutral seeded grasslands provide the most function for terrestrial invertebrates

as they provide nectar sources with the presence of species such as knapweed,

ragwort, bird’s-foot trefoil and vetches.

Birds would also utilise these grassland areas to feed upon the invertebrates and

seeds provided by the diverse range of plants. These areas are currently mown

which provides a range of sward heights with different botanical interest. The varying

heights also provide a range of habitat niches for wildlife generally. The grasslands

also support voles which would provide prey items for species such as kestrel, barn

owl and tawny owl.

The extensive public access results in some limitations to the function of some

habitats, primarily due to disturbance, however, the two eastern ponds are relatively

disturbance free, and provide more valuable habitat than Pond 1 generally. Pond 1

is primarily a recreational pond with value to visitors to the site who enjoy feeding the

wildfowl.

19.2 Landscape Features

During the 1970's and 1980's open cast mining was carried out on the site. In 1992

the site was transferred to Erewash Borough Council.

A number of improvement works have taken place on the site up to 2014 and

include:

The bank erosion project around Pond 1

Path improvements around the entire site

Installation of coir mats or roles in Pond 1

Creation of the Nutbrook Trail which is part of the National Cycle Network

(Route 67)

New picnic area including an inclusive picnic bench with access paths

19.0 Conservation and Heritage

36

Tree Planting

Installation of nesting platform in Pond 1

Repeated installation of Barley Straw to combat Blue Green Algae in Pond 1

Installation of Bat Boxes

Re-stocking of Ponds 2 & 3

19.2.1 Heritage Features

Straw's Bridge was a bridge over the

Nutbrook Canal on the road from West

Hallam to Ilkeston. It was originally

known as Moor's Bridge. After the

opening of the canal an overseer's house

was built next to the canal on the right

hand side of the road heading towards

Ilkeston. In 1844 a man called Samuel

Straw was employed as overseer and he

moved into the house. From that time the

bridge came to be called Straw's Bridge.

19.2.2 Nature Conservation

The nature conservation features have been divided in to the primary or most

important features and secondary features of less ecological importance.

Primary features:-

Native species rich hedge

Eutrophic open water

Broad leaved woodland and scrub

Mature trees

The Nutbrook

Secondary features

Amenity grassland

Neutral grassland

Planted trees

37

Social Features

A public amenity

An educational resource

A project to build the capacity of the local community

Conservation Improvements 2014

Following the floods of 2000, 2007 and 2012, Straw’s Bridge and the balancing ponds were badly affected. Nesting sites have been damaged and fish stock depleted.

The Borough Council (EBC) met with Derbyshire County Council (DCC) and the Environment Agency (EA) to resolve the situation.

DCC completed a topographical survey of the site and agreed to increase the height of the flood banks and this work is due for completion in 2015. The EA have de-silted the river and creating greater storage capacity across the site. This enabled EBC to react faster in the flooding of summer 2013.

The Angling club have now restocked the ponds and hope that the improvement works will reduce the club’s losses.

The Friends have raised funds for nesting platforms and these have been installed on the main lake. This platform will help protect some of the wildfowl on site if the site floods in the future.


Range of habitats for wildlife

Interpretation panels

Biodiversity audit of 2014 offers a good insight into the ecological value and opportunities within the site

Limited opportunity for community engagement and education

Insufficient bird and bat boxes

Insufficient varieties of flora to encourage insects


Involve local schools in projects on the site

Install bat and bird boxes with the Friends group

Encourage bee and butterfly friendly species of plants

An excessive number of visiting public having a detrimental impact on the site

38

Invite bat specialist to speak at friends meeting

.

20.1 Community involvement and participation

The Friends of Straw's Bridge group was formed in 2010 as a direct result of a Green

Space initiative to engage the local community in a positive way. The group is made

up of local people who take an interest in promoting, developing and improving the

site for both visitors and wildlife. They hold regular meetings and organise activities

and events at Straw's Bridge throughout the year.

Meetings are held five or six times a year. An example of meeting minutes at

Appendix 3.

Several events are held on the site and are open to all members of the community.

Recent events as follows:

Litter picking

Install Barley Straw in Pond 1

Cutting back vegetation and scrub

Tree planting

Creating meadow area

Fund rising events

Installation of nesting platform

Installation coir matting

Wildlife photography event

Wildlife / Wildflower walks

Monitoring of the site

Information gathering and sharing

20.0 Community Involvement

39

Creation of website

Site specific educational “spotter sheets” for children downloadable from

website

20.2 Appropriate provision for the community

Straw’s Bridge provides the community with a tranquil place to walk and enjoy the

local countryside and to partake in formal and informal recreation providing

opportunities for social interaction. It allows people to follow their own particular

interests or hobbies such as walking, photography or bird watching.


Friends group already set up and

supported by the Council

Locally elected members on the Friends

Group

Many people use the open space

Meeting the expectations of the Friends

Group due to only having a small team to

facilitate this project

Limited external funding

Limited educational programme

Limited understanding of visitor

expectation


More consultation with the wider

community

Further funding through Friends Group

Build links with local schools

Develop a leaflet for the site

Conduct user/no user survey

Dissolution of Friends Group

Loss of external funding

40

21.1 Marketing and promotion

The natural green space is known to local residents and promoted mainly through

word of mouth. The Friends of Straw’s Bridge maintain their own website at

www.friendsofStrawsbridge.co.uk and is regularly updated along with their Facebook

page.

21.2 Marketing information

Regular consultation takes place with the Friends Group on the development of the

site. New interpretation boards were installed at all three main entrances in 2014.

Further consultation has taken place as part of the Green Space Strategy, which has

given the Council a clear way forward in respect of open space provision and quality.


Events organised through the Friends

and the Council

Many people use the open space

Marketing Plan

Method of informing public of events

Limited public information


Further consultation with wider

community

Visitor information leaflets

Organise environmental education

programme

Create more interpretation panels

Lack of central marketing support within

the Council

21.0 Marketing

http://www.friendsofstrawsbridge.co.uk/

41

21.2 Finance

Management and maintenance of Straw’s Bridge is undertaken by Erewash Borough

Council. There are no buildings or utilities on site.

Expenditure

Type

2011/12 2012/13 2013/14

Vandalism £0 £0 £0

Insurance £350 £360 £370

Grounds

Maintenance

£4,380 £4,980 £5,180

Sub Contract

Maintenance

£357 £480 £567

Total Expenditure £5,087 Expenditure £5,820 Expenditure £6,117

22.2 Capital Investment

2011/2012

£10,000 Borough Council works to improve paths

2012/13

£5,500 Borough Council works to install new bins and carry out erosion

prevention scheme

£500 Tree planting

2013/14

£4,940 Borough Council work for new signage

2014/15

£1,800 to Consultant Ecologists for Bio Diversity Audit

22.0 Management

42

22.3 Maintenance Plan

The maintenance schedule is held in a separate document, which has an easy to

follow maintenance plan.

22.4 Additional Support

The Friends Group hold meetings at least six times per annum, and do a lot of

behind the scenes research as well as events on site, on average between 6 and 10

people are involved, this amounts to approximately 500 hours contributed by the

Friends per annum.

500 hours per annum

Additional volunteers also support the Friends Group with 90 hours.

90 Hours per annum

Neighbourhood Wardens work throughout the Borough and spend approximately

104 hours at Straw’s Bridge on patrol and attending events to promote good

citizenship and dog ownership.

104 Hours per annum

22.5 Personnel

The implementation of the following structure from 2012 has enabled Erewash

Borough Council to carry out effective management of Straw’s Bridge.

All Staff based at Merlin House, Ilkeston

Head of Green Space and Street Scene

Responsible for the overall management of the site. Oversees the management plan

and manages site budgets.

Key Service Personnel Reporting to Head of Service:

Area Manager North

Oversees the grounds maintenance of the site. This comprises 3 full time members

of staff who maintain the grounds, on average 12 hours a week.

Pride Manager

Key Service Personnel Reporting to Pride Manager

Green Space and Street Scene Officer, part-time job share

43

Tree Officer

Annual Review of the Management Plan is undertaken in November by Head of

Service. A Green Space and Street Scene meeting takes place quarterly at Merlin

House and is attended by all operational staff. This is an opportunity for all staff to be

kept informed of current developments and projects and also any issues or

suggestions to be put forward. In addition Employment Development Review

meetings are used to measure performance of individual members of staff against

targets set in the Action Plan.


A dedicated team following the

management plans and pursuing

appropriate funding

Good community links

Strong management structure with well

trained staff

There has been a shift in priorities at

Erewash, which has enabled a

substantial commitment to improvements

to all parks and open spaces on a rolling

programme for the foreseeable future

Regular review of management plan

Limited links to the wider community

Limited external funding


Improve links with community groups to

target funding

Withdrawal of corporate support

Limited financial resources within the

Operational Services team

44

Chapter 3

Where do we want to go?

From recent consultation with the wider community and key corporate objectives for

parks and open spaces, the aims and objectives below have been formulated to be

achieved for the long term development of the site.

24.1 Introduction

This section sets out the intended actions and improvements required to improve

Straw’s Bridge over the next 5 years.

The action plan outlines achievable targets in a realistic time frame, which reflects

the contents of the management plan in line with the expectations of the community.

Green Space and Street Scene will implement the plan, with support from the

Friends Group and other relevant partners, it is meant as a working document

subject to change and improvement.

The √ represents the year the activity will or has taken place. The amount indicated

in the financial box indicates the estimated budgets to carry out the activity / project

per √.

23.0 Introduction

24.0 Aims and objectives 2014-2018

45

Straw’s Bridge Action Plan 2014 -2018

Aim Description Estimated Cost Action Date / Year Progress

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Welcome Provide welcome signage and

fingerposts at the tree main

entranceways to the open space

£5,000 √ Achieved

Provide interpretation sign for the

wetland area

£950 √

Design information leaflets for the

site / tree trail / woodland trail

Friends Group

and EBC

√

Keep pathways free from weed

growth and in good condition

Operative Time √ √ √ √ √ On-going maintenance

Training for all staff on customer

care

√ √ √ √ Part of a 4 Year rolling

programme of training/

not site specific

Conduct user and non-user

surveys

Officer Time √

46

Healthy, Safe &

Secure

Promote the open space as a

healthy place to take healthy walks.

Friends Group/

EBC

√ √ √ √ √

Ensure that Neighbourhood

Wardens carry out regular patrols

within the site

Officer Time √ √ √ √ √ Maintenance

Undertake risk assessments Officer Time √ √ √ √ √

Update tree survey and initiate any

appropriate work

Officer time √

Well Maintained

and Clean

Replacement of benches and bins

where needed

£6,000 √ FG & EBC

Additional furniture £1500 √

Undertake regular site inspections

and cleansing


On-going maintenance of car park £500 √ √ √ √ √

Review the maintenance schedules

on a yearly basis


47

Promote positive dog ownership

through education

Officer Time √ Neighbourhood Dog

Wardens

Ensure full training to all operatives

in good horticultural practices, use

of machinery and specialist

knowledge

£35,000 √ √ √ √ √ Part of a 4 Year rolling

programme of training/

not site specific

Ensure that tree stock is kept in

good order

£500 √ √ √ √ √ From existing tree

budget

Sustainability Review waste disposal methods √ Maintenance- Policy

Ensure where possible recycled

products are used

√ √ √ √ √ Policy

Introduce new machinery to reduce

emissions and improve efficiency

£15,000 √ √ √ √ √ Not site specific

Conservation

and Heritage

Ensure that an audit of all tree

stock is carried out followed by tree

planting programme

Officer Time √ As part of the 3 yearly

tree inspection

programme

Produce and install bird nesting £200 √ √ Bat boxes installed in

48

and bat boxes with Friends Group partnership with Bat

Trust

Cleaning of nesting boxes N/A √ √ √ √

Community

Involvement

Encourage the active involvement

of the Community in the

management of the site

Officer Time √ √ √ √ √ On going

Apply for external funding Friends Group √ √ √ √ √ On going

Promote the ecological value of the

site through environmental

education

Officer Time √

Host events and activities Friends/Officer

time

√ √ √ √ √ On going

Consultation with the wider

community

Officer Time √ √ √ 2016-18

Marketing Update marketing plan Officer Time √

Ensure information about the site is Friends Group √ √ √ √ √

49

updated on the website

Management Review financial commitment Officer Time √ √ √ √ √ On going

Ensure investment in training and

resources is maintained yearly

Officer time √ √ √ √ √ Operational

Ensure management plan is

adhered to and updated

Officer Time √ √ √ √ Ongoing

Ensure extensive consultation is

carried out on a regular basis

Officer Time √ √ √ 2016-18

Full review of management plan in

2018

Officer Time 2018

50

25.1 and

The next section addresses specific management objectives for different habitat and species that are found at the site:

Maintain and extend species rich grassland patches;

Control spread of scrub in to grassland areas:

Maintain undisturbed nature of P2 and P3;

Retain areas of woodland and scrub as breeding bird habitat;

Maintain connectivity of habitats across the site.

The management compartments are identified in Appendix 1.

Feature Activity Com Season 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Pond 1 Plant reed beds P1 Winter/Spring √ √

Pond 1 Remove litter and

debris from edges

P1 Throughout

year

√ √ √ √ √

Pond 1 Monitor Wildlife P1 Throughout

year

√ √ √ √ √

Pond 2 Removal of scallops P2 Winter/Spring √ √

25.0 Conservation Management

51

of scrub


debris from edges

P2 Throughout

year

√ √ √ √ √

Pond 2 Monitor Wildlife P2 Throughout

year

√ √ √ √ √

Pond 3 Removal of scallops

of scrub

P3 Winter/Spring √ √


debris from edges

P3 Throughout

year

√ √ √ √ √

Pond 3 Removal of scallops

of scrub

P3 Winter/Spring √ √ √ √ √

Amenity Areas Cut to a height 3-4cm

Final cut/Remove

arisings

A April/June/

September

√ √ √ √ √

Meadow Areas Cut to varied height

4-8cm

SI April/Early

May

√ √ √ √ √

Final cut/Remove

arisings

SI September √ √ √ √ √

52

Mixed Woodland Mixed woodland

leave undisturbed for

wildlife

As per

legend

on

appendix

1

Broad Leaved Woodland Mixed woodland

leave undisturbed for

wildlife

As per

legend

on

appendix

1

Scrub Monitor/control if

encroaching on

grassland or banks of

ponds

As per

legend

on

appendix

1

Winter/Spring √ √ √ √ √

Hedgerows Trim on a two year

cycle

January/

February

√ √ √

Hedgerow in car park Trim once a year July √ √ √ √ √

Paths/Car Park Monitor state of

surface

Throughout

year

√ √ √ √ √

Paths Mow either side of Spring √ √ √ √ √

53

paths to keep clear of

vegetation

Summer

Species Birds Erect Nest Boxes Autumn √

Species Clean Nest boxes Winter √ √ √ √ √

Monitoring Undertake as

necessary

All seasons √ √ √ √ √

54

The Straw’s Bridge management plan will be regularly reviewed using the process below: Annual Review The review will be carried out by the Head of Green Space and

Street Scene and presented to the Friend’s Group for comments and ideas for the following years. Any aims, which were not completed, will be moved to subsequent years accordingly.

Revisions New strategies and policies may affect the management plan

during the course of the five years these will be incorporated into the action plan if relevant. Quarterly Green Space and Street Scene meetings will cascade any issues and consult staff regarding planned projects. Regular Friends meetings are held for means of reciprocal consultation. One personnel review is held per year to assess performance against targets set in the Action Plan.

26.0 Monitoring and evaluation

55

Appendix 1

Appendices