There is new entrance for members to use when visiting the Etton Maxey Pits nature reserve.
Visitors can no longer get on to the reserve via the pedestrian gate into the concrete car park because of a new fence that runs north-south across the reserve- the result of pipeline works by Anglian Water.
Instead a new sign at the car park directs visitors to the new pedestrian entrance at the southern end of the reserve next to the Maxey Cut.
This is also being signposted from the new works entrance created by Anglian Water, ahead of the work to lay a new pipeline on the reserve parallel with the Maxey to Etton road.
A new fence has been erected to separate the pipeline work area from the reserve and visitors will not be able to get through it until the work is completed.
The reserve is still open for members to visit through the new gate and a path has been cut which visitors can follow to get around the fenced off area with access to both hides and the viewing areas. The contractors have been asked to cut steps down to the new gate to make access easier. Visitors using the gate until then are asked to take care.
David Cowcill, who heads the Eastern Reserves volunteering team, said: “We hope members can still enjoy visits to the reserve. Until the work is completed there is a need to use the new entrance because the old one leads straight into what is now Anglian Water’s work area and could be dangerous.
“Our volunteers have cut a path from the new entrance at the southern end to help visitors navigate their way around the new fence. This creates an area for Anglian Water to work in and also means our grazing animals will be kept safely.
“Access is still available to the hides and to other areas of the reserve and we hope people will still come along and enjoy the walks and the views.”
Etton Maxey reserve: what’s happening and when
The Belted Galloway cows – a popular sight with visitors – have recently returned to graze the reserve with the Langdyke sheep.
