ELY WILDSPACE

ELY WILDSPACE UNDER THREAT

The past 18 months have demonstrated how lucky we are to have Ely Wildspace on our doorstep. You might not have realised when strolling out on the circular walk along the river through the water meadow, up past the pits with the kingfishers and back through woodland that you are enjoying a nationally important protected area with significant parts designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Animals and flora of conservation importance range from the Bittern to a rare hoverfly Myolepta dubia, and the Green-winged orchid. Recently, you might have heard the song of a lone male Nightingale singing for a mate.

These pockets of habitat through the landscape are growing in significance as our climate changes – and as pressures increase from development and land conversion to other uses. Our wildlife crucially needs these sites now, and to survive into the future. Anything we can do as a community to enhance and extend natural habitat will benefit not only wildlife but also our own physical and mental wellbeing.

This precious area is now under threat of development once more, from Network Rail plans to close the Kiln Lane level crossing and to put in a flyover and footbridge through the middle of the meadow and into the woodland, irreversibly damaging this site (https://www.networkrail.co.uk/ ely). It is the view of Ely Wildspace that the level crossing should remains as it is. If you value this space, please respond to Network Rail objecting to all the Kiln Lane options by the 4th July.

Don’t fill in the online form as this forces you to choose an option for development.

Get involved by visiting elywildspace.org.uk or email lpcre@elywildspace.org.uk.