 web_0.jpg "Balsalm pulling on the Trans Pennine trail - Credit Claire Jackson")
Balsalm pulling on the Trans Pennine trail - Credit Claire Jackson
Cyclists on the Trans Pennine Trail and routes around York will see their cycle paths flourish with more beautiful wildflower species than ever before, thanks to careful improvement works by Sustrans and the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust has teamed up with Sustrans to create a new ‘Greenways’ web.jpg)
project which will help to improve wildlife on parts of our traffic free cycle paths around the city of York.
Currently we are focusing on two areas, route 65 Bishopthorpe to Riccall and route 66 the Foss Islands area. Both of these cycle paths already hold a wealth of wildlife & beautiful wild flowers but they could be even better with careful management.
Currently we are tackling the Himalayan Balsam on route 65 near Naburn Station and the River Ouse, where the balsam has spread from the river banks and is gradually creeping up onto the cycle paths. This will take a few years of hard work by hand pulling and in the really overgrown areas, strimming. Once the balsam has been knocked back it should allow our native species to flourish in its place. We have already started this difficult task and cleared a large section with the help of Sustrans and Network Rail volunteers; there will be plenty more days to come though!
Another essential part of the management is when to cut the verges and how often, the timing is important as we want the areas to re-seed successfully. Once cut it is important for the vegetation to be raked off, so not to smother the growing seedlings beneath. This task has already been carried out near Foss Islands and ideally we would like it to continue on as much of the cycle path as possible.
Contact
If you are interested in this project and would like to join in please contact Claire Jackson on 01904 659570 or email claire.jackson@ywt.org.uk or check out the new York Greenway Champions website.
This project is funded by the Big Lottery Fund, for more information visit www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
