I recently received the following email from the environment and flood officer at Gloucester City Council:
‘I am writing to you to provide a quick update on the on-going City wide European Union funded Urban Greening works that are planned for your area. Gloucester City Council has secured funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to protect and enhance the environment. The project’s benefits include more diverse natural habitats, improved connectivity between green open spaces that boost our wellbeing and wildlife as well as flood management.
Part of the funding has been designated to create wildflower meadows across the city. In order to establish these meadows, the existing grass must be treated and prepared to accept the special seed mix.
In anticipation of meeting the timings for sowing this autumn, during September our Contractors will carry out ground preparation to several areas within the public open spaces at Tuffley Park and Milton Avenue. The purpose is to create open structure in the existing grass sward that will allow the wildlife seed to make contact with the soil and germinate. The process will help reduce competition from common grasses and weeds during the establishment of the meadow.
Preparation of the areas is to be done by herbicidal (Glyphosate) treatment and rotavating which will cause the area to look very bare until the seed is established. The proposals include for bulbs and a number of new trees to be planted.
During this time and given the potential for seasonal weather the bare earth may become unsightly and muddy under the normal wetting and drying. This is normal and will be made good during the works.
Once the meadow has been seeded and established it will be managed on a cut and collect basis. This involves cutting the meadows once in late summer and the arisings removed from the surface. Paths and the wider amenity areas are anticipated to be cut on the regular mowing regime.
I’ve attached basic plans showing the proposed new areas. These are not 100% set in stone and may be adjusted during the works. ‘
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There may well be a need for volunteers so do please get in touch with me if you would like to help. It is exciting to see the potential for these areas.
Do the council have to use THAT weedkiller it kills all living bugs there is no such thing as a bad bug depending on your view is there not something better for the soil?
Also perhaps a small Orchard ( with bug boxes bird boxes and bats boxes if any around ) would be better and more easily looked after nothing stopping planting of wild flowers in between.
Unless someone gets the local Children involved and young people then they won’t respect this area or the work being done …They need to feel they own it.
someone could form a camera club for the children they take photos of what they have done etc Cameras are cheap and many people have older ones lying around just need to possibly buy cards.
Just thinking forward!
Thanks Rose I will raise that with the officers in charge and get back to you.
All best
Seb
I am amazed that this has gone ahead without consulting any residents. You are talking about wildlife but you kill everything that already lives there. I just walked my dogs and they have now been exposed to Glyphosate. Not one sign! Shocking!
Hi Steve,
Thanks for the comments. There has been consultation such as letters through the door from the council and I’ve featured it in my leaflets and on social media, in my email etc. There is always more they could do but there is also an element of time-sensitivity because of the European funding.
I will raise again with officers the question about substances and the lack of signage. Unfortunately it will look worse before it looks better – but the ultimate result will I hope be a more biodiverse environment for all to enjoy. Best wishes Sebastian