Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Teesdale Mercury
  • News
  • Features
  • Test Drive
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Art & Leisure
  • Buy your paper
  • Buy our photos
  • Digital edition
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Features
  • Test Drive
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Art & Leisure
  • Buy your paper
  • Buy our photos
  • Digital edition
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Teesdale Mercury
No Result
View All Result
ADVERTISEMENT

Fears over ‘wildlife corridor’ habitat

by Martin Paul
July 20, 2021
in Country Life
Fears over ‘wildlife corridor’ habitat

WILDLIFE FEARS: Cameron Sharp worries that work to upgrade a railway path from The Hub in Barnard Castle to Dent Gate Lane to a bridleway is damaging habitat for rare bird species

A WARNING has been sounded that work to upgrade a railway path to bridleway in Barnard Castle is destroying valuable habitat for rare birds
Zoology graduate Cameron Sharp says the route between TCR Hub and Dent Gate Lane has the highest density of nesting birds listed as endangered by the RSPB in the dale, but this is at risk if further upgrading of the path takes place.
In April, county officers installed a ramp and widened access to the footpath, removing a tree which provided nesting for blue tits.
But officers say they have no plans for further work on the route.
Mr Sharp, who graduated from Bangor University this year, has been monitoring the route for about four years.
He said: “Although many listed bird species can be found in Teesdale, the high density of listed, and most importantly confirmed breeding species, across a relatively small area along that particular section of the old railway line is significant to warrant concerns over the potential increase in disturbance caused by major development.
“That particular section of the railway acts as a wildlife corridor, which is otherwise surrounded on both sides by predominantly monoculture agricultural land which lacks the botanical diversity the migrant bird species need to breed and feed from.”
He said he was worried that increased numbers of people using the route will create disturbance for the birds.
Mr Sharp said: “The wildlife on the railway line can cope with regular disturbance from users at the current rate, but combine the disruption of the path development with the potential for an increase in use, and it could potentially drive away nesting birds for good.”
However, officers say the work they carried out in April was simply to improve access, and no further work is planned.
The county’s access and rights of way team leader Mike Ogden said: “Public safety and protecting biodiversity are always key considerations when creating new footpaths and public bridleways.
“When an order was created to convert a section of the former railway route between the TCR Hub and Dent Gate Lane into a bridleway, we did originally receive an objection.
“However, this was withdrawn after we explained we were only formalising a route already used by the public and making it safer and more accessible by installing a ramp.
“With no remaining objections, work to establish the bridleway began as planned when coronavirus restrictions allowed and has since been completed.
“No further works are planned, and any vegetation clearance that does take place will be minimal and for maintenance purposes only. The site investigation vans seen at the location were not related to the creation of the public bridleway.
“Feedback from residents, visitors and wildlife experts is always appreciated. We welcome Mr Sharp’s offer to monitor the route and are happy to remain in touch with him on these matters.”

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Teesdale Flower Club returns with social night and mini-demonstrations

Next Post

Cotherstone committee committed to staging a fun weekend for all

ADVERTISEMENT
No Result
View All Result

Stay connected

Facebook Twitter
ADVERTISEMENT

Most popular

Take two: Teesdale and Beyond Part II is a display of watercolour and oil landscapes by Matt Scott at The Witham in Barnard Castle until May 17

Display adds up for maths man, Matt

May 23, 2025
NEW LOOK: Students Matthew Walker and Michael Rammage, Trades4Care officers Charlie Wright and Cameron Southworth and village hall members Elizabeth Cowell, Tereasa Wilcox, Jean Ambrose, Dreda Forster and Pippa Leach

Makeover for ‘grotty’ pink Cotherstone Village Hall walls

May 24, 2025
A miniature campervan from a past parade

Meet fun will be transport of delights

May 22, 2025
ROYAL HONOUR: Barnard Castle twins Alisha and Tia Bell at Windsor Castle to collect their Kings Scout Award, inset

Twins receive highest Scouting honour

May 26, 2025
G’DAY SPORT: Colin Glasper and John Emerson as Aussie characters Sir Les Patterson and Dame Edna Everage. Bottom left, Colin Glasper as Winston Churchill, are among some of the memorable moments of past Meets

Share your memories of the Meet

May 25, 2025
Cruel Intentions is ultimate 90s musical

Cruel Intentions is ultimate 90s musical

May 22, 2025
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

15C Harmire Enterprise Park
Barnard Castle
Co Durham
DL12 8BN

Email: [email protected]

Registered in England as Barrnon Media Limited. No: 12475190

VAT registration number: 343486488

Explore

  • Art & Leisure
  • Business
  • Country Life
  • Features
  • News
  • Sport
  • Test Drive
  • Digital edition

Useful links

  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Buy your paper
  • Photosales
  • Digital edition
  • About us

Follow us on

© Barrnon Media Limited 2025

Terms & Conditions / Privacy Policy / Cookie Policy

This website and its associated newspaper are members of the Independent Press Standards Organisation
No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Features
  • Test Drive
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Art & Leisure
  • Buy your paper
  • Buy our photos
  • Digital edition
  • Contact

© 2024