MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE
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IMPROVEMENT WORKS AT WELLOW BROOK WALK I
mprovement works at Wellow Brook Walk were approved at a Full Council Meeting held in Midsomer Norton on September 7th 2020. Wellow Brook flows through Midsomer Norton beneath Thicket Mead bridge and on to the north of Wheeler's Hill. It then joins up with the River Somer and eventually the River Avon. The area of land in the town through which the brook flows is owned by the Duchy of Cornwall, who lease it to the Town Council, and who have been contacted to seek approval for the works. Improvement works are expected to begin once the full construction detail package of information has been completed. The aims of the works are to improve the appearance and arrangement of the area, while at the same time maintaining the ecology of this diverse area and its abundance of wildlife. In order to protect the local species, Darwin Ecology have been asked to advise on any mitigation procedures to safeguard any potentially protected species during the work and to provide a working management plan. Data available on the site has also been obtained from Bristol Environmental Records Centre, which will feed into this process. The Council has again consulted with Andy King at New Leaf Studios for the project, a chartered landscape architect based in the area. The Council have already worked extensively with Andy King on the Town Park. Works to be undertaken include: improving the main through path; replacing fencing and the kissing gate at the west entrance from Northmead Road; clearing vegetation to provide a view of the brook; removing existing dilapidated post and wire strand fencing; installing a new seat along the same lines as the seating on the riverside walk in the Town Park and installing a picnic bench to attract people to the area. The meadow area
will also receive attention and will be managed to maintain a balance of grassland and scrub and reduce the over dominance of coarse plants. The Himalayan Balsam in the area will also be brought under control. Mowing will be undertaken periodically to provide space for the public to use. The plan for the works also identifies two locations for new, improved interpretation signage. The design of these signs has not yet been agreed. However, it is envisaged that the signs will be similar to those in the Town Park. By improving this green space in the Town, it is hoped that the area will be an attractive, natural, and usable space for the residents of Midsomer Norton to enjoy. Councillors discussed concerns raised during consultation with B&NES about the use of motorbikes on the paths when fencing and kissing gates are replaced at the west entrance. Council members were keen to open the land at Wellow Brook Walk to ensure full disabled access. They agreed to monitor future use of the site and reevaluate if any problems arise.
