Pigeon repairs take flight - BLRP
Lake District Still Waters Partnership
- Bassenthwaite Lake Restoration Programme
An eroded track above the Lake District’s last operating mineral mine has had a stitch in time to stem sediment flowing into Bassenthwaite Lake.Walkers on a popular route on Coledale hillside - beyond Force Crag Mine, near Keswick - had worn grass away, exposing soil to the elements.
Known as ‘pigeonholing’, the condition forms an ascending staircase of holes. Without repair, a gully forms and loose earth is washed into rivers and streams and ultimately into lakes, damaging water quality and wildlife.
Fine sediments can smother gravel breeding grounds for fish, including Ice Age relic, vendace.
Recent surveys at Bassenthwaite Lake reveal the species could now be extinct, leaving Derwentwater with the UK’s last remaining population.
Pigeonhole repair measures in Coledale have been carried out by Fix the Fells, A Heritage Lottery Fund supported project, covering the whole of the Lake District, using National Trust staff and volunteers.
The work was welcomed by Bassenthwaite Lake Restoration Programme (BLRP) and has been described as an ‘excellent example of partnership working’.
John Malley, of BLRP, said the repairs not only benefited access to the fells and water quality, but also to the health of rivers and lakes.
He added: “While repairs were relatively simple, their impact is significant. We need to catch these erosion spots before they develop into major scars. By filling holes with soil and small rocks, and adding a protective willow and net cloche, the track will soon be as good as new.
“Although you won’t see many of these repair methods in the Lake District, it is a very successful one, effectively treating and covering over the damage.”
BLRP is working towards returning water quality in Bassenthwaite to its clean, clear pre-war state.
Fix the Fells is spearheaded by the Lake District National Park, National Trust and Natural England. To date, 165 of the Lake District’s iconic upland routes have been repaired. Details are on Fix the Fells (opens in new window).
Bassenthwaite Lake Restoration Programme
This programme is part of the Still Waters Partnership, made up of the Lake District National Park Authority, Environment Agency, National Trust, United Utilities, Forestry Commission, Natural England, Cumbria Tourism and Cumbria County Council.
For further information visit Bassenthwaite Lake Restoration Programme website (opens in new window) or telephone John Pinder on 01768 215731
