A fair way to open up Battlemead Common

An article in last week’s Advertiser asked ‘Should Battlemead Common open up?’

We think it should.

Specifically we think the Causeway route over the East Field should be open for more than the two days a year suggested by the Royal Borough in its draft Management

Plan.

We understand that the ongoing management of Battlemead Common will need to strike a sensitive balance between the wildlife, access and water management issues. This is a difficult task, but we believe an achievable one.

We have recognised the wildlife issues throughout and were content to await the outcome of the over-wintering bird survey commissioned by the Royal Borough.

Although that survey did not show the presence of any rare or endangered species we accept that the Causeway Path should be closed for up to six months of the year in order to protect over-wintering birds.

At present wildfowl are mostly absent from this field as, over the last months, the wetlands flanking the causeway are either full of blanket weed or dry, plus the grass is too long for geese to feed or loll about on.

It is our firm view that the path should be fenced or hedged in order to prevent access to the remainder of the East Field – which is over half of the site – and that dogs, if allowed at all, should be properly controlled.

We feel this to be a fair and considered solution that would protect wildlife and allow increased biodiversity, subject to the adoption of appropriate management techniques by the Royal Borough.

Battlemead Common was purchased with some £1million of public money at the end of 2018 with the express intent of designating the whole area as Public Open Space and completing a missing link in the Millennium and Boundary Walks.

We fail to see that a single fenced path across the East Field, closed at appropriate times of the year, will have a detrimental effect on wildlife or the potential for biodiversity. What it will do is give people the opportunity to fully appreciate the wildlife and diversity at Battlemead as well as the splendid views of Cliveden.

We are pleased that the Royal Borough is now considering various representations and hope that a balanced view prevails that both safeguards wildlife and gives appropriate managed access.

STEVE GILLIONS East Berks Ramblers

ANN DARRACOTT Maidenhead Civic Society