Bridgnorth quarry dog ban sees helpers back on site
Dogs will be banned from a nature reserve, on a trial basis, all summer to stop volunteers walking away from a preservation project.
The agreement to bar dogs from the former quarry site in Eardington, near Bridgnorth, until the end of August, has been reached after discussions between the Friends group which manages the site and landowers Shropshire Council.
It is now hoped working parties will gather on the land over several days throughout the summer to clear vegetation, fell trees and build nest boxes.
It comes after a dozen enthusiasts refused to work on the site while dogs were allowed to run free on the land, causing a volunteer working day to be cancelled at short notice last month.
Officials at Shirehall had initially overturned a ban which had been imposed by the Friends of Eardington Nature Reserve at the request of volunteers.
Shropshire Council took over the former quarry last year from owners Lafarge UK on a 99-year lease and the friends group was set up to manage the land as a nature reserve and wildlife haven.
James Gittens, chairman of the friends group, said the ban had allowed work to carry on on the site.
He said: "We're glad common sense has prevailed and we now have a dog ban in place with the help of Shropshire Council.
"It will stay in force until the end of August when it will be reviewed.
"All the volunteers who had threatened to leave because of this have now come back and everything's full steam ahead."
The future of the quarry and it's nature management had been in doubt when the council refused to back the friends request to ban dogs.
Volunteers claimed their hard work would count for nothing if dogs could roam free to disturb wildlife and destroy the rare species, which they were hoping to encourage in the area.
But all have now agreed to return to work on the former quarry for the good of the nature reserve.
More than 40 volunteers had attended the previous two working days, which included setting up nest boxes, felling trees and clearing away brambles.
Mr Gittens said: "So far we have cleared vegetation, planted hedges and completed some groundwork, but nothing too major just yet.
"We're regularly getting 30 volunteers and we hope that may increase during the warmer summer months."
The next volunteer working party will be held on April 12 and will run from 9.30am until 1pm.
Helpers are welcome to attend and lend a hand.
