The bridleway on the southern edge of the parish running this side of the A6097 follows the path of an old Roman way and is the only visible remnant in the parish of the important settlement of Margidunum.
The village has already started to improve parts of this bridleway by new planting of trees and repairing hedgerows. One section of the bridleway passes through a small ancient meadow that has become overgrown and needs clearing. This site is an important site for biodiversity in the village as it is one of the few unimproved meadows in the village.
Thanks to the persistence of members of the East Bridgford Wildlife and Biodiversity Group the bramble and scrub that has overgrown the ancient meadow that runs parallel to the A6097 on the west side of the village has been cleared. See Bridgford Street Meadow Clearance for more details.
Brambles and blackthorn/sloe scrub and nettles are now cleared. The bridleway is now unimpeded. The size of the field is apparent and the potential for re-establishment as meadow now obvious. Grass is limited to the previous track of the bridleway; already emerging plants seen (cow parsley & celandine).
Quantities of woody debris still cover the ground and need clearing otherwise this will impede flowering plant re-establishment and promote nutrient demanding species such as nettles, thistles and dock; the boundaries and gates need attention.
Evidence of rabbits, moles and horses hoof marks.
Much rubbish and debris from previous eras have been revealed especially along the boundary with the A6097 and this needs to be cleared.
| Objective | Action |
|---|---|
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Deter illegal use
tipping, itinerant travellers, etc
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Restore gates especially at Brunts Lane End
Field gate for farm machinery
Horse gate on bridleway
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Encourage re-growth of meadow species
no further than 30 species of plants were identified in this field and its hedges
|
Remove woody waste to sides of field, burn excess
if left this debris will make the soil too acid for native meadow plants and promote bramble, nettle and dock reinvasion
Contract for regular cutting to deter brambles, twice yearly in early years
|
|
Restore original route of bridle path along headland
to follow its original line on old Roman route to the Trent near to hedge and ditch close to A6097
Keep horse riding on relocated bridleway
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Fence off bridleway on southern A6097 side
Plain wire & post fence 3-4 metres in from headland
Absence of horses on remainder of field will enable quicker regeneration of meadow
|
|
Restore boundary hedges
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Priority to northern long side and both ends
Fill gaps with new whips especially at western end
Cut back and re-lay where appropriate
In the longer term reinstate hedge along A6097 boundary by laying remnant hedgerow species and enrichment planting with appropriate species
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Keep boundary ditches
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Clear ditches on long sides
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See Bridgford Street Meadow Background.
For more information please email info@eastbridgfordwildlife.org.uk.