Improvements at the Heart of the National Forest

As what seems like the longest Winter in living memory slowly turns in to Spring we have been out and about on our local network in the Heart of the National Forest.  Despite the recent poor weather there have still been some developments of note.

In direction of Measham Road

View back towards the swing bridge and furnace.

Firstly is the link from Moira Furnace to Measham Road in Moira.  This will form a link between NCN(63) and the National Forest Cycle Centre at Hicks Lodge once the housing development o on the other side of Measham Road is complete and a link is provided to Newfields Road and the current link to Hicks Lodge.

The link is constructed from tarmac and is a decent 3m width.  We are now awaiting construction of the new estate to finish before the cycle link is complete.  Once the link is complete we will sign the link from the NCN to and from Hicks Lodge.

A much lighter canopy over NCN 63

Meanwhile back on the Ashby Woulds Heritage Trail there has been quite a lot of work done by a volunteering group led by the local ranger from Leicestershire County Council.  On a section north from Donisthorpe Woodland Park to Moira some significant work has been done to cut back vegetation.  Most of this section has already had work done on the path by payback teams in recent years but this further work will help to avoid further build up of vegetation and keep the path surface mud free.

There is still a small section in Moira that requires attention near the Youth Hostel and we are intending to work on this section on 29th April.  We are inviting members of the public to join us.  For more details read this post.

A  much wider path now greets users at Measham

Further down the trail near Measham Library a payback team has made a start on the Measham to A42 section.  This section is very muddy in places but some vegetation work has improved it over the last couple of years and a sustained period of work on this section of the trail will lead to a much improved experience for most users.

Currently I'm sure that Mountain bikers enjoy the section but for those using the path as a leisure or commuter route it is difficult to pass during damper times.  Hopefully the whole trail will see a large improvement over the coming year.

Path Clearance Day on Ashby Wolds Heritage Trail

One of the many activities available to Sustrans Rangers is a workday.  This is where we get together to work on a section of our network.  Workdays can focus on litter picks, sign cleaning, graffiti removal, vegetation work or path widening.

In this area we are relatively lucky that we don't have some of the issues faced by our more urban colleagues so litter is not as much of a problem and graffiti less so.  We are also fortunate that there are several other groups nearby who focus on vegetation so our activity mainly focuses on path widening.

We are planning a day in Moira on NCN63 on the Ashby Wolds Heritage Trail.  This is part of a popular cycling and walking route and is also part of the Conkers Parkrun.  We are inviting members of the public to join with us so they can learn more about our work, enjoy a volunteering experience and hopefully help us improve a section of the trail.  Details are on the poster above.