There’s a special plea to Langdyke members to avoid the pipeline works now taking place on the Etton Maxey nature reserve – and in particular not to use the old car park hard standing area.
After a long delay the Anglian Water works have started on the reserve and as a result the paddock areas alongside the Maxey Road are not to be used for the duration of the work, likely go on until autumn 2027.
All three of the access gates through the AW fence will be locked. There will not be work taking place at all times, but please respect the exclusion.
Site warden David Cowcill said: “In addition we have protected birds nesting on the reserve. At one time there were four species in one day – but only one pair of one species has stayed to nest.
“That means that the track from the South Hide to the quarry yard, and along the quarry roadway to Central Bank is also out of bounds to pedestrians. It is remarkable how much general activity the birds are tolerating (carefully monitored by an ecologist from AW) but we should not add any extra disturbance risk.
He added: “To conclude – you can still access the reserve from the two pedestrian gates adjacent to Maxey Cut or the “new” car park; the path to South Hide is open; there is still a path (but a little rough and moist) alongside the AW fence to access North Hide and North Wood up to the quarry roadway – but you can’t walk all the way round until the birds have finished nesting.
“The “old car park” is not to be used as it is the main AW works entry point.
“In summary – we have a very successful year as a conservation site – but we have to live with consequences.”