I uploaded a few photos of the greenway (Bedminster to Novers Hill)
onto flickr last night; they're not great even by my standards, which
is why I've not put them up before, but they're CC licenced (by-nc-sa)
so if anyone wants to make use of any of them, please go ahead.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/perlmonger/tags/malagogreenway/

--
Pete Jordan

I have just the following e-mail to the two Lib Dem councillors for Windmill
Hill. With a
slight alteration I have sent it to one of  the Bedminster councillors. With
further
alteration and additions I have sent it to Mark Bradshaw, appealing to him in
his capacity
as a Bedminster councillor as well as Cabinet member for transport.

"I am writing to you to express my total opposition to the plans by Bristol City
Council
and South West Partnership to build a Rapid Transit Bus Route along the course
of  the
River Malago and the associated footpaths, cycleways and green spaces.

I believe that Bristol has just been designated as UK's first "Cycle City" and
yet , recently,
there have been two plans to obliterate cycle paths with dedicated roads for
motor
traffic. One scheme (The Bristol and Bath Cycleway) has, I believe, been put in
abeyance
though it  seems that it has not yet been abandonned. The Malago scheme is still
very
much with us.

There are numerous reasons why this scheme must not be allowed to go ahead. The
destruction of recreational and open green space, the damage to wildlife, the
loss of a
river, the obliteration of existing cycle and footpath routes, noise, pollution
– the list
goes on.

How will these enormous vehicles negotiate Windmill Hill railway bridge? What
will that
do to vehicular access to Windmill Hill? Surely anny route for motor traffic
should take
space from existing motor traffic, not from local residents, pedestrians and
cyclists.

Who will this scheme benefit? Not residents of Bedminster and Windmill Hill, to
be sure.
It will only benefit non-residents of Bristol in other areas who will not be
paying the
price.

As councillor for Windmill Hill, I hope I can count on your active opposition to
this
ridiculous scheme.

Stephen Mason
Gwilliam St
Windmill Hill   "

• Philip Darnton (Chair of Cycling England);
• John Grimshaw (Cycling England Board member and founder of Sustrans);
• Lynn Sloman (Cycling England Board member and Director of Transport for Quality of Life);
• Tony Russell (leads Cycling England local authority advice team);
• Steve Garidis (Cycling England's Programme Manager)
• Martin Ellis (Cycling Team, Department for Transport)

• Blackpool
• Cambridge
• Chester
• Colchester
• Leighton/Linslade
• Shrewsbury
• Southend on Sea
• Southport with Ainsdale
• Stoke
• Woking
• York.

• South Gloucs Officials were involved in the announcement ceremony at Birmingham
• controls over the Councils' spend will remain as "locals" from the panel (John Grimshaw & Tony Russell) will remain very involved. 

I posted a blog on the Guardian website on Thursday, which was a response to the
news
about Bristol becoming a Cycle City. I raised the issue of BRT and the Malago
greenway. You
can see the blog at:

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/06/can_bristol_become_a_cycling_c.h\
tml

I'm also writing about something for the Bristol Magazine in August. And there's
a post on
my own blog:

howtoturnyourparentsgreen.blogspot.com

Cheers
James Russell (83 Quantock Road)

--- In malago@..., "Nixie James-Scott" <nixiejames@...>
wrote:
>
> Fantastic Steph! Thanks for that info – pity you can't join us there!


The BBC news website ran a report on this under "Features, views and
analysis", so it seemed fair to tag it with info on the planned
restriction of use of Malago areas by BRT :

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7463022.stm


I'm not sure if the comment will be displayed, but I've added this in
the "Add your comments " section at the bottom - evey little helps LOL

========================================================
Amazingly enough, only 2 weeks ago a campaign was mounted because the
bus company and regional quango planned to take over the Bristol to
Bath cycle path for so-called rapid transit buses.

That was defeated by the campaigners - but instead, the "new" plan is
to pave over large parts of the Malago stream for this, a route which
is also used regularly by cyclists keen to avoid traffic.

There's a new campaign to put a stop to the loss of amenity in the
Malago area too.

In Bristol, we probably need some sort of joined up plan instead of
one hand giving and another taking

========================================================

On Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 4:24 PM, stephanie wardle
<galateasspheres@...> wrote:
> Just so you all know, I am going to be filmed on my cycle commute home from
the city centre to Marksbury Road TODAY (weds 18th) for the BBC as part of
National Bike Week (or is it National Cycle Week....?) 'to see what cyclists are
up against' on their daily commute.
>
> I will be utilising the Windmill Hill and Marksbury Tip Malago routes, as I do
daily, so I will, of course, seize the opportunity to mention the threat to the
Malago! Whether, of course, they broadcast my comments remains to be seen.
>
> If any of you want to run up a quick placard or something, we should be
passing through Windmill Hill around 5.15-5.30 (I suspect my usual smooth 15 min
commute may be somewhat expanded due to cameras etc...) so feel free! You've got
about an hour... oh dear..
>

Caught you on the radio this am, providing some constructive criticism
about bristol's bike paths, in the context of the (successful) Cycling
City bid.

Perhaps they will "improve" them by taking them away:
http://bristolcars.blogspot.com/

--- In malago@..., "maggiehughes55" <maggiehughes55@...>
wrote:
>
> A concert sounds really good. I think we need to use the Meadow/Green
> as much as possible during the campaign.


Makes a lot of sense, because land regularly in use as a community
resource is going to be harder to plan for nominal change of use.

There was a concert over on the green last summer, as part of the
Eldon Terrace street party - it was busy over a 2 day period.

I saw some of the bands there (might have a little video to provide of
that) and I think there was a picnic or BBQ organised. Photos and
video could form some part of evidence of usage.

Just so you all know, I am going to be filmed on my cycle commute home from the
city centre to Marksbury Road TODAY (weds 18th) for the BBC as part of National
Bike Week (or is it National Cycle Week....?) 'to see what cyclists are up
against' on their daily commute.

I will be utilising the Windmill Hill and Marksbury Tip Malago routes, as I do
daily, so I will, of course, seize the opportunity to mention the threat to the
Malago! Whether, of course, they broadcast my comments remains to be seen.

If any of you want to run up a quick placard or something, we should be passing
through Windmill Hill around 5.15-5.30 (I suspect my usual smooth 15 min commute
may be somewhat expanded due to cameras etc...) so feel free! You've got about
an hour... oh dear..

Sorry about the short notice, but they've only just contacted me and asked if we
could do it, and they can only film today, as, and I quote, 'we have a very
tight window'. (ooer missus.)

non-partisan Steph

p.s Any views expressed by individuals located in my house are not necessarily
reflected by all members of that household. ;-)

S


       __________________________________________________________
Sent from Yahoo! Mail.
A Smarter Email http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/nowyoucan.html

A concert sounds really good. I think we need to use the Meadow/Green
as much as possible during the campaign. I would be prepared to
organise food for the concert, please get back to me when dates etc
are being debated.

Should we try to arrange some regular events there, especially now
with the longer days? Possibly something like Tai Chi or a jogging
club and something else for children.

I am able to come to the meeting arranged for Tuesday next week at
7.45pm

I am trying to contact an acquaintance of mine who is a journalist a
the BBC with a view to 'doing' our story/campaign; just on a personal
level at the moment.

Maggie

On Tue, Jun 17, 2008 at 11:15 AM, Kathja Aloni
<translatekathja@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Nixie,
>
>
>
> thanks for that. In your area you might have a chance as there are several
protected species found there, including bats. I am very worried about the area
from St. Johns Lane/Bedminster Road to Marksbury Road and then from there to
Parson Str./Lynton Road. The area is wide so there would be no space problems
for a bus route and I am not sure about any rare or protected species there -
except - SLOWWORMS...



Here is there report the Avon Wildlife Trust did for the railway path

http://www.railwaypath.org/node/86

they went through the records to locate things; there are things that
arent listed on there (glow worms), which need to be registered
somehow.

A list of species that will need to be licensed.

http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/conservation/wildlife-management-licensing/spec\
ies/default.htm

From Amanda King, 4 Cotswold Road, Windmill Hill

Wildlife management and licensing information.

http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/conservation/wildlife-management-licensing/habs\
regs.htm

From Amanda, 4 Cotswold Road, Windmill Hill.

Conservation

Introduction

The way we live and work has reduced the native wildlife of our land
to such an extent that some species are near extinction.We need to
protect our wildlife, or risk losing it forever, and there are laws to
help us.Today, proposed development of land must take the presence of
wildlife into account. Wildlife legislation applies to certain
animals, plants and other living things (the species) and where they
live (the habitat). However, the laws are complicated and it can be
difficult for a developer to know how best to proceed.

Species protection

Some species - the European protected species (EPS) are protected by
European law as rewritten into domestic legislation1. Of particular
interest in our area are bats (all species), dormice and great crested
newts. Other species may have protection under British law. For
instance, while some reptiles and their habitats are fully protected
as EPS, other reptiles are simply protected from sale, injury or
killing2 (intentional or reckless3).

Habitat protection

The most important areas of different habitats are now protected by
law and Local Plan designations. However, it is recognised that we
should be doing more, so Dover District Council is working with
partners on the Kent Biodiversity Action Plan that identifies targets
for increasing habitats, generally. Land development can and will be
expected to help us achieve some of those targets.

EPS and wildlife crime

It is an offence to deliberately capture, kill, or disturb a wild
animal of an EPS, to take or destroy the eggs of such an animal, or to
damage or destroy a breeding site or resting place of such an animal.

Development and EPS

Planning authorities have a general duty towards EPS and we know that
development, whether it is a small house extension or a large
industrial estate, could adversely affect such an animal, its eggs,
and its breeding or resting site. As more is learnt about EPS and the
places they use, so developers need to consider whether they may be
using their sites and whether they could be affected by development.
If the local planning authority considers that information on EPS is
needed but none is provided, planning permission may be refused. There
are only a few EPS in our district. Others either do not occur here or
are on protected sites, such as nature reserves. Of those we must
consider, bats are the most frequently encountered, as they often use
buildings or trees for roosts.The remainder of this leaflet will refer
to bats, but the general principles would apply to other EPS that
might be encountered on development sites in the district.

Do bats prevent development?

Except in very rare circumstances, the presence of bats, or other EPS,
is unlikely to prevent development. Sadly, however, it appears that
2/3rds of reported crime in respect of bats occurs during building and
development work. We now know about some of the requirements of
different bat species and we may be able to build them `living spaces'
in developments. If bats already exist on a site, the effects of
development may be mitigated by designing in roosting and feeding
opportunities for them.

How to tell if bats use a site

This is difficult: surveys are the surest way of telling, either
through direct observation or by searching for evidence of bat
presence. Bat roosts are very important, particularly maternity and
hibernation roosts. These tend to be communal and disturbance to one
could cause local extinction of the species. Enough is known about
these roosts that the following structures should always be surveyed
if redevelopment of them is being considered:

• All barns and other timber framed buildings with exposed wooden
beams or under slate or Kent peg tile roofs.
• All tunnels, mines, ice-houses, military fortifications, air raid
shelters and similar subterranean structures.
• All bridges.
• All old trees with loose bark, or cavities, particularly in or near
hedgerows, woodland or water should be surveyed if pruning or felling
is planned.

However, it is important to remain alert in other circumstances. For
instance, pipistrelle bats often roost in modern buildings, even flat
roof extensions. If your work involves demolition of any substantial
structure, or breaking into roof voids in buildings, particularly
those near extensive areas of vegetation or water, do seek advice.

If you find bats, stop work immediately and contact
Batline - 08451 300228

Who surveys a site for bats?

The survey must be carried out by a competent person, preferably
licensed by English Nature as a roost visitor. The surveyor will be
aware of the law in respect of EPS and be able to provide you with the
information that can help you to decide whether to pursue your
project, or revise it. The Institute of Ecology and Environmental
Management holds lists of recognised EPS surveyors.

Bats are present - what now?

The bat presence may be insignificant, or it may have profound effect
on how your project moves forward.Your bat surveyor should indicate
whether you are likely to need a licence from the Department of
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to disturb the bats or a
roost.

A licence and obtaining one

A licence is simply a government permission to undertake what would
otherwise be an unlawful activity, and it is obtained from Defra.
Defra will not issue a licence unless certain criteria have been met
that ensure that the local bat population is not unduly threatened: it
will consult English Nature and, if your project requires planning
permission, the local planning authority. EPS legislation requires
strong planning policy evidence to support a licence request, or the
licence may not be granted. To go ahead with the project would then be
illegal. The local authority may also refuse planning permission under
its general duty toward protecting EPS. If you submit a survey with
your planning application it could save you time and money.

Further Information

English Nature (Kent Team) 01233 812525
The Government Agency with responsibility for wildlife in England
gives advice on protected species and habitats.

Defra 08459 335577
The Government Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
issues licences for disturbing European Protected Species.

The Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (IEEM) 01962 868626
A professional body listing consultant wildlife surveyors

The Kent Wildlife Trust 01622 662012
A voluntary organisation that designates land of County importance for
wildlife and lobbies on behalf of wildlife.

Bat Conservation Trust 08451 300228

Specialist Voluntary Groups
These record all aspects of the wildlife they specialise in and may be
able to offer advice.
Kent Bat Group 01227 275439
Kent Mammal Group 01795 890285
Kent Reptile and Amphibian Group 01621 742669

For general wildlife enquiries contact:
The Senior Ecologist, Dover District Council
Tel: 01304 872481
E-mail: conservation@...

The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981(WCA 1981) consolidates and
amends existing national legislation to implement the Convention on
the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern
Convention) and Council Directive 79/409/EEC on the Conservation of
Wild Birds (Birds Directive) in Great Britain1 . It is complimented by
the Wildlife and Countryside (Service of Notices) Act 1985, which
relates to notices served under the 1981 Act, and the Conservation
(Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 (as amended)2 , which
implement Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural
habitats and of wild fauna and flora (EC Habitats Directive). The Act
received royal assent on 30 October 1981 and was brought into force in
incremental steps. Amendments to the Act have occurred, the most
recent being the Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000 (in
England and Wales) and the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 (in
Scotland). There is also a statutory five-yearly review of Schedules 5
and 8 (protected wild animals and plant respectively), undertaken by
the country agencies and co-ordinated by the Joint Nature Conservation
Committee. Containing four Parts and 17 Schedules, the Act covers
protection of wildlife (birds, and some animals and plants), the
countryside, National Parks, and the designation of protected areas,
and public rights of way.

Wildlife
The Act makes it an offence (with exception to species listed in
Schedule 2) to intentionally kill, injure, or take any wild bird or
their eggs or nests. Special penalties are available for offences
related to birds listed on Schedule 1, for which there are additional
offences of disturbing these birds at their nests, or their dependent
young. The Secretary of State may also designate Areas of Special
Protection (subject to exceptions) to provide further protection to
birds. The Act also prohibits certain methods of killing, injuring, or
taking birds, restricts the sale and possession of captive bred birds,
and sets standards for keeping birds in captivity.

The Act makes it an offence (subject to exceptions) to intentionally
kill, injure, or take, possess, or trade in any wild animal listed in
Schedule 5, and prohibits interference with places used for shelter or
protection, or intentionally disturbing animals occupying such places.
The Act also prohibits certain methods of killing, injuring, or taking
wild animals.

The Act makes it an offence (subject to exceptions) to pick, uproot,
trade in, or possess (for the purposes of trade) any wild plant listed
in Schedule 8, and prohibits the unauthorised intentional uprooting of
such plants.

The Act contains measures for preventing the establishment of
non-native species which may be detrimental to native wildlife,
prohibiting the release of animals and planting of plants listed in
Schedule 9. It also provides a mechanism making any of the above
offences legal through the granting of licences by the appropriate
authorities.

Nature Conservation, Countryside and National Parks
The Act provides for the notification of Sites of Special Scientific
Interest (SSSI) – areas of special scientific interest by reason of
their flora, fauna, or geological or physiographical features – by the
country agencies. A notification must be served to the relevant local
planning authority, all land owners and occupiers, and the Secretary
of State, specifying the time period within which representations and
objections may be made. The country agencies must consider these
responses and may withdraw or confirm the notification, with or
without amendment. The Act also contains measures for the protection
and management of SSSIs. The Act provides for the making of Limestone
Pavement Orders, which prohibit the disturbance and removal of
limestone from such designated areas, and the designation of Marine
Nature Reserves, for which byelaws must be made to protect them.

The Act prohibits the undertaking of agricultural or forestry
operations on land within National Parks which has been either moor or
heath for 20 years, without consent from the relevant planning
authority. Planning authorities are also required to make available to
the public up to date maps of moor and heath land within National
Parks, which are important for the conservation of natural beauty.

Public Rights of Way
The Act requires surveying authorities to maintain up to date
definitive maps and statements, for the purpose of clarifying public
rights of way. The Act also includes provisions for traffic
regulation, ploughing, appointing wardens, signposting, and
prohibiting the keeping of bulls on land crossed by public rights of way.

----- Original Message -----

From: Nixie James-Scott

To: malago@...

Sent: Monday, June 16, 2008 5:45 PM

Subject: [malago] Rare birdlife proof!

Hi all, I have found and copied the information about the sightings of
the extremely rare Firecrests earlier this year down by the Malago
Greenway behind Cotswold Road. This was on the Rare Bird Alert
website. I myself sat with a pair of them in the garden not more than
a metre away from me watching them dart about in our grape vine.
Others from the Kingfisher group have seen them too. I am going to put
a message on the RBA website to see if any of the birdwatchers who
came to see the Firecrests could send us any of their 'photos. They
also spotted Lesser Redpolls. We have an amazing plethora of birdlife
here including blackcaps, goldfinches, greenfinches, chaffinches, long
tailed tits, blue and great tits also coal tits. We have blackbirds,
wrens, occasional thrushes, house and hedge sparrows, wood pigeons,
collar doves, magpies and crows. Also Mallards and coots nesting on
the banks of the Malago. I'm sure to have missed some out. Then there
are the bats, pipistrelles I think, an amazing variety of moths and
butterflies. Holly Blues and a hawk moth a couple of years ago.
occasionally spotted Kingfishers too of course!

Just thought I'd mention the amazing range of wildlife which would be
made homeless if the area is paved over!

Please let us know of any other (animal!) wildlife you have seen in
the area, ah yes then the foxes...........

Nixie James-Scott

---

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG.
Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 270.3.0/1505 - Release Date: 16/06/2008 07:20

Hi all, I have found and copied the information about the sightings of
the extremely rare Firecrests earlier this year down by the Malago
Greenway behind Cotswold Road. This was on the Rare Bird Alert
website. I myself sat with a pair of them in the garden not more than
a metre away from me watching them dart about in our grape vine.
Others from the Kingfisher group have seen them too. I am going to put
a message on the RBA website to see if any of the birdwatchers who
came to see the Firecrests could send us any of their 'photos. They
also spotted Lesser Redpolls. We have an amazing plethora of birdlife
here including blackcaps, goldfinches, greenfinches, chaffinches, long
tailed tits, blue and great tits also coal tits. We have blackbirds,
wrens, occasional thrushes, house and hedge sparrows, wood pigeons,
collar doves, magpies and crows. Also Mallards and coots nesting on
the banks of the Malago. I'm sure to have missed some out. Then there
are the bats, pipistrelles I think, an amazing variety of moths and
butterflies. Holly Blues and a hawk moth a couple of years ago.
occasionally spotted Kingfishers too of course!

Just thought I'd mention the amazing range of wildlife which would be
made homeless if the area is paved over!

Please let us know of any other (animal!) wildlife you have seen in
the area, ah yes then the foxes...........

Nixie James-Scott

There will be a strategy planning meeting on Monday, 16 June, at 7.45
pm at Windmill Hill Community Centre, Vivan Street. We will share
information about the proposals for the Bus Rapid Transit ('BRT') route
from Hengrove to the City Centre. There are a number of BRT routes
proposed. The Hengrove route, if adopted, would follow the Malago
Greenway, which would involve diverting and paving over the Malago in
places, as well as some compulsory purchase of land and building across
our green spaces.

At the meeting we will be asking for volunteers to form a steering
group for the campaign and to take part in whatever activities we
decide to carry out.

If you are concerned about these proposals but unable to attend the
meeting, feel free to send your views, and we will make them known at
the meeting.