New bridleway opens to connect Firsdown and Pitton
It's part of the RSPB Roundbarrow nature reserve
Firsdown and Pitton are now officially been connected by a bridleway for the first time.
Wiltshire Council's officially opened the off-road route today (Friday 23rd May).
It can be used by walkers, horse riders and pedal cyclists, along the boundary of the now RSPB Roundbarrow nature reserve.
The 120 hectares of farmland is owned by Wiltshire Council and has been let to the charity in a 15-year project to restore and create permanent chalk grassland on what was once an intensive dairy farm.
Cllr Paul Sample JP, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Environment, Climate and Waste, said:
“The opening of this bridleway provides a welcome addition to RSPB Roundbarrow nature reserve, one that will enable walkers, horse riders and cyclists to take in the beautiful landscapes in the area. The purpose of the Roundbarrow project is to support an exemplar chalk grassland to establish and we want communities to be right at the heart of it.
"This bridleway will give residents and visitors a front row view to see landscape restoration in action and will encourage people to get out and about to enjoy nature and all its benefits.
“We look forward to welcoming people to this very picturesque part of the county and for them to enjoy the resurgence of wildlife in the adjacent fields.”
Patrick Cashman, RSPB Site Manager for the Wiltshire nature reserves, said: “We are delighted to be working with Wiltshire Council’s innovative pooling of regulatory requirements to achieve something meaningful at scale for wildlife at RSPB Roundbarrow nature reserve.
"This is a rare opportunity to create a new downland nature reserve from scratch. Users of the new permissive bridleway will be able to witness the changing view over the coming years from species-poor grasslands and crops towards a more colourful vista as a haven for the characteristic birds, bees, butterflies, and blooms of the Wiltshire Chalk develops.”
The new 2km bridleway will link directly to the existing Roman Road known as Monarch’s Way, south of Firsdown.
It passes by the archaeological site known as ‘Piccadilly Clump’ along the western boundary of RSPB Roundbarrow, changing direction and skirting along the northern edge of the woodland traveling east to Pitton.
It's bordered by stock-proof fencing with new gates installed near Firsdown and Pitton.