Press Release
WOODLAND PATH UPGRADED THANKS TO ARMY OF HELPERS
27 October 2009
A team of twenty-five members of the Royal Engineers has been working voluntarily to improve pathways and bridges in Wamphray Glen near Moffat over the past fortnight, as part of a Military Aid to the Civil Community (MACC) task.
The area is part of the Applegirth estate and is owned by The Crown Estate. The work carried out has included replacing footbridge supports that have been reduced by the scouring effect of the Wamphray Water and also constructing a raised walkway to replace one that was lost in recent flooding.
The team also cleared laurel bushes and rhododendrons from an area of ancient semi-natural woodland to allow natural regeneration of the native broadleaves.
The taskforce is made up of twenty-five soldiers from 16 Geographic Support Squadron, Royal Engineers, based at Denison Barracks, Newbury. Capt Joanna Hardwick said: “Soldiers of 16 Geographic Support Squadron are specialist engineers and this task provided the squadron with an opportunity to test their construction skills on a real task with real constraints.”
Sapper Calum Noakes summed it up by adding: “We moved a lot of rocks!”
Mike Libera, The Crown Estate Forest Manager, said: “The footpath has been a popular attraction for locals and visitors to the area since it was originally created in 1988. However the facility has been in need of repairs and maintenance as features have suffered the effects of water erosion over time.
“We are very grateful to the Royal Engineers for the improvement works they have carried out, which should maintain public access through the glen for many years to come.”
The Wamphray Glen path is one of three waymarked paths on the Applegirth estate which have been developed by The Crown Estate to allow visitors and local people to explore and enjoy the countryside around Lockerbie and Moffat. Several of these trails help to make up the local core path network.
Further details of the walks paths and other facilities on the estate are available from:
The Crown Estate Forestry Office
Dryfeholm
Lockerbie
Dumfries
DG11 1SU
telephone 01576 203 153
Further Information
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