Help Cuttle Brook recover

‘Please do not walk on Cuttle Brook Nature Reserve unless you really have no alternative.’ That is the message from the Reserve’s Management Team as they ask everybody to help the much-loved greenspace recover from heavy winter use.
 
The combination of a wet winter and increased use by a locked-down population has overwhelmed the ability of the nature reserve to absorb the pounding of thousands of feet. There is now real concern that the damage to the area’s wildlife will become permanent unless visitors show some restraint. Regrowth is starting but these young shoots are particularly vulnerable to further trampling. If use isn’t reduced, there is a danger that the acres of mud will not recover. But with a bit of help from you, the nature reserve will recover, all it needs is a few weeks rest. So, please think before you add to the mud; ‘do I need to use Cuttle Brook or could I walk somewhere else?’
 
Details of town trails and various walks can be accessed by the Town Council website, where you can also download the Walking Guide if you prefer an ‘off road’ option.
 
If you really must use the reserve, please keep to the paths – muddy as they are. Don’t take detours as this just spreads the damage and will take longer for nature to recover.

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Date posted: Thursday 4 March 2021