Thanks to Peter for sharing this latest news from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. Ed
Access on the popular Isle of Wight coastal path at Bouldnor has been substantially improved with the construction of a boardwalk by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.
With the co-operation of the Forestry Commission and grant-aid from the West Wight Landscape Partnership, the 50m boardwalk and other path improvements will provide an alternative route to the current right of way which is suffering due to erosion by the sea.
Locally sourced wood
The boardwalk, built from locally sourced wood by Matthews Timber Merchants, crosses an area of reedbeds just south of the beach and connects the Wildlife Trust’s reserve to the western end of Bouldnor Forest.
Jamie Marsh, the Wildlife Trust’s Reserves Officer said,
“We were approached by the IW Ramblers and local residents about the state of the path but we did not want to prevent access to the beach at Bouldnor. So we have created an alternative route through trees and reedbeds so that walkers have a choice, particularly at high tide when access is most difficult.”
A local resident, who walks her dog daily at Bouldnor was pleased with the results and said,
“The boardwalk means it is nice to have a choice, particularly in rough weather and in the light of the increasingly eroding cliff.”
If you would like to know more about the work of the Wildlife Trust and their reserve at Bouldnor please contact Jamie on 01983 760018 or e-mail [email protected]
