Environment
A Pragmatic Way Forward
A section of the main path into the glen from just after the road bridge to the wheel casing is going to be closed permanently.
Garff MHK Daphne Caine has said the rerouting of a section of Dhoon Glen’s footpath is the best solution for residents and the natural habitat.
DEFA has announced that a section of the main path into the glen from just after the road bridge to the wheel casing is going to be closed permanently.
Speaking to Gef, Mrs Caine said: ‘I’m grateful for DEFA’s engaging with local residents but the permanent closure is a blow to those of us who know and love Dhoon Glen. The closure is to part of the main path adjacent to the stream heading to the wheel casing (already fenced off) so rerouting it will be a big change – and nobody likes change!
‘However I’m confident that the solution being put forward by the department is the best one in the overall interests of our biosphere. I sympathise with the foresters weighing up the amount of trees that would need to be felled for access to continue complying with public safety concerns- plus expensive work to prevent slippage of the bank. This enables them to degrade naturally, which brings more benefit to nature, ecosystems.
‘I remember the glen’s paths were remodeled after serious flooding 15 years ago- when the whole glen was closed for over a year. This small amount of rerouting seems a pragmatic way forward, plotting a new route in to the wheel casing and enhancing the experience with information boards. And there are still another two paths up and down via coast or waterfall, which remain open – although will benefit from maintenance, which I hope will also be in the plan when it’s finalised.’
Re-opening would require extensive reinforcement works to banks above the path and felling an between 20 and 50 trees.
DEFA said: ‘Instead, the plan is to establish a new path, taking a zigzag down from the top path direct to the wheel casing, where information boards are to be installed. This has an added biodiversity gain from trees left in their natural habitat.’
Work will commence soon on erecting exclusion fencing, signage, path diversions and improvements.
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