Broken Ferndown nature reserve boardwalk to be removed

Dorset Council has announced that it will remove the boardwalk in Slop Bog after health and safety concerns with areas of walk broken. 

Despite Dorset Council stating it plans to replace it in the future, Slop Bog Guardians have stated if so, it must be replaced by a metal or plastic structure rather than wood. 

Slop Bog Guardians secretary Martin Warner said: "The problem is that it cannot be replaced again with wood and any new structure must be metal or recycled plastic. The cost of such a rebuild is in the region of £50k+ so a rather eye-watering amount.

"There are a lot of agencies involved in this, including Natural England who oversee the Reserve's SSSI status as to what will be allowed.

"So it will take time, and if funding is not achieved the section will remain closed and in time the boardwalk itself could be abandoned. 

"You can understand our concern with this as we believe the Council see it in its present state as a luxury that drags on their resources of both money and manpower. "

The boardwalk was first installed in 2006 funded by a lottery grant obtained by the guardians, and has provided 'a lovely opportunity for people to experience the unusual environment'.

At the early stages of exploring a national heathland grant, the guardians have shared aims to replace the boardwalk with the council showing support of plans.

A spokesperson for Dorset Council said: “Dorset Council’s Greenspace team have been out removing sections of the broken boardwalk that posed a health and safety risk, working with the volunteers from the Slop Bog Guardians.

"The focus of the current work is to make the existing boardwalk safe.

“We are keen to ensure the continued pedestrian access to Slop Bog, but need to make sure we do this in the most appropriate and cost-effective way, approved and supported by NE.

"We hope to provide a further update later this month when there should be a more definite plan for a way forwards for design and funding.”