A Flood Resilient Path in Bowthorpe Southern Park

Some of you have already noticed the felling of Crack Willows in Bowthorpe Southern Park. This is to provide materials to make the path from the Bridge of Dreams to Bowthorpe residences more resilient to the flooding that occurs regularly in the Park. At present the path is being seriously eroded. The willow will be used as edging on both sides of the path to slow the water down and prevent it from washing away the path. The willow logs will be fixed and laid in shallow trenches on both sides of the path.

The flood water is causing the most damage around the culvert pipes. This will be reduced by installing stone gabion baskets filled with reject flints, again to slow the water down, and reduce erosion of the path. The path will then be resurfaced with type one aggregate. This might look a bit harsh at first, but weather and nature will result in it softening into the landscape.

The work is being carried out by the Norwich Fringe Project and will start on Monday 28th April 2025.

Bowthorpe path shortly after initial construction

Conservation Volunteers Programme April 2025

McCarthy Stone green space link to Strawberry field opens

New Strawberry Field/McCarthy Stone green space link. No stile!

Conservation Volunteers March Programme

Public access to McCarthy Stone Green landscaped area

Wheelchair access from Leander Court/Daisy Hill Court path. Photo: Hilary Hann

Temporary Closure of Marston Marsh Footpath

Landscaping in the Yare Valley

After much delay planting is now underway on the green space adjacent to the McCarthy Stone development on the Bluebell Road.  The landscaped area will have links to the Strawberry Field and to the Yare Valley Walk and will open up opportunities for new green circular walks.

The planting of trees and other environmental mitigations for achieving biodiversity net gain for the development were a condition of the planning approval. From the start of the development the Yare Valley Society has pressed for the completion of the landscaping of the green space and the other required ecological improvements. It has monitored its progress, and provided reports to the Norwich City Council Planning Department. A recent survey by YVS found that most of the environmental mitigations are now in place. Some, such as hedgehog gaps in the boundary fence, and boundary hedgerow infill planting, are still outstanding, and are being followed up.

At most points of entry to the green space there is fencing, and it is probably as well that general public access is restricted until the planted meadow areas have been given time to become established. People have been seen inside the area already. There are surfaced paths, and it is to be hoped they remain on the paths and treat the newly planted areas with respect. Moles already have access:

A mole explores its new environment

The Fringe Project at Eaton Common

Conservation Volunteers Programme February

Conservation Volunteers January Programme

All are welcome to come along and get active!