A POPULAR Worcestershire nature reserve will temporarily close while vital repair work is carried out on an access track.
The Knapp and Papermill nature reserve, near Alfrick, will be shut from September 21 to October 23 as engineering work stabilises a bank beside the main track.
Worcestershire Wildlife Trust said a large crack appeared in the track three years ago, preventing vehicles from accessing the site and hampering conservation work.
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The trust has been unable to take tractors or livestock onto the reserve, affecting meadow management and wildflower habitat maintenance.
Rob Allen, reserves team leader, said: “It’s been immensely frustrating for our team that we’ve been unable to take tractors or livestock onto the meadows at The Knapp and Papermill for the past three years.
“Without regular hay cuts and grazing, we risk the huge numbers of wildflowers being outcompeted by more vigorous grasses.”
“We’ve also been unable to get new signage on site and have been unable to remove debris after flood events.
“The track sits high above the Leigh Brook so the engineering works will involve stone gabions, steel rods and stabilising membranes to ensure the security of the track, and the adjacent road, for many years to come.”
