Hurst water meadow news

July 1998

Cattle grazing and hay cut

About a dozen cows are grazing in the meadow between the footpath and Buck Pool. Walkers are requested to avoid the electric fence and to keep their dogs under control. The hay in the rest of the meadow will be cut in early July.

Replacement of the Long Bridge

The Environment Agency plans to remove the old bridge in late August. The Hurst trustees will then have to finance and manage its replacement. Plans are well advanced for doing this. The new bridge will be similar to the old one in appearance, but will be a single span carried on four girders of low-maintenance Corton steel. The safe working load is estimated at 7.5 tonnes.

Temporary closure of the footpath

During work on the bridge, which will take about four weeks, the footpath between Manor Farm Road and the Hurst will have to be closed. The County Council will put up diversion notices. Access will still be available from the Overy end. A temporary footbridge was discussed, but it would have been too expensive.

Buck pool weir and sluice

The Highways Agency, which owns the land between the bypass and Buck Pool, plans to repair the extensive damage to the weir and sluice this autumn. There is no public right of access to this area, and it will be closed off during construction work. We have been assured that the flow of water down the River Thame will be maintained during construction work.

Fishing

The fishing season has now started. Fishermen using the western end of the meadow are advised to avoid the undercut bank by the millstream meander. Day permits for non-residents (£2.50) are available from the Post Office or the fishing bailiffs - Chuck Selwood, John and Richard Pratt and Tony Jones. Annual permits (£40 for non-residents: free for residents) are also available.

The trustees hope that you will enjoy using the meadow this summer.