£13,000 grant for Gwithian Green replacement footbridge and boardwalk extension enabled access easier and safer to cross into the acid grassland with its area rich in wildlife and part of the butterfly transect walk.
The new bridge is wider and stronger because of the material used and will makes access safer long term, as will the two gates, one at the beginning and one at the end of the bridge. There is also now a recycled plastic slope which makes it easier for those with mobility issues to cross onto the grass path.
The boardwalk extension to the end of the main boardwalk was needed as this part of the grass path was often flooded by overflow from the stream following rainfall. The ground rises at the end of the extension and thus avoids being flooded. It took 8 volunteers 4 days to make this path and it has made a fantastic difference, remaining dry throughout the recent spell of wet weather. This is the main path around the Green and for visitors, dog walkers and local residents it is now safer and easier to navigate.
“We are local Gwithian residents and regularly walk our dog and children around the Green including a child with a disability. Raising the path to the stream has made a big difference since it is no longer waterlogged in Winter. The small extension to the boardwalk has also helped to improve the path by the side of the stream which was always very muddy. The bridge is now much safer to cross. It all looks very impressive.” Clair Hancock.
“My family has lived in Gwithian village since the early 1960’s and we have always taken an active interest in how the village green is looked after. The green is an area of land very close to our property and is used by the family regularly as an area to walk and enjoy. We have been delighted to see the improvements that have come as a result of the grant from Gwinear-Gwithian Sustainable Community Fund. The raising of the pathway and the new bridge have considerably improved access to the area and the new information board is an encouragement to others to come and look at all that has been achieved and what an important wild life sanctuary this is.” Dame Vikki Heywood DBE.
