Scrub clearance with very little sensitivity!

These notices appeared on December 5th 2008, beside Circular Road and above Walcombe Slade, just before the Peregrine Watch. We wondered whether it is was innocent as it sounds, or whether it is a prelude to more work "to reduce the scrub" all around the Gully and Walcombe Slade to enable fencing to be installed so that goats can be brought into the area! All part of the Bristol City Council plan for the Downs and Avon Gorge.

The work, when it started did not look good, the Downs Ranger and his helpers seemed to be hacking the trees around: felling a number of larger ash trees, and hacking the lower branches of the yew trees. Not what was described in the above notice. In particular we were very worried about what is arguably the oldest yew on the Downs, pictured below. So far it seems to have survived unmolested, maybe as a result of our plea to the Downs Ranger on its behalf?

"Clearing scrub" sounds very well, and no doubt might please some people, however, consider that this is one of the few wild places in Bristol. Within paces it is possible to escape from the deluge of car traffic that ruins the Downs and Avon Gorge. Look at the old yew tree which has been treated to the chain saw - (front and back views).

... and this is the mess they have made of this old yew tree ...

Circular Road is all too apparent