Downs Watch
In 2003 Downs Watch raised a petition of 1000 signatures calling on Bristol City Council Downs Committee to stop clearing vegitation on the Downs. A moratorium was agreed while detailed management plans, looking forward were drafted. These plans confirmed our worse fears. The authorities want to fell hundreds of trees from the Gorgeside and the Downs and create a different landscape. Most of the woodland along the Avon Gorge and on the Downside will gradually be felled from Sea Walls to Peregrine Watch to create open grassland (See Map B). The wood called Fairyland is to become open grassland with scattered trees (See Map C). Areas of woodland between Bridge Valley Road and Observatory Hill will also be cleared. Indeed, the whole of Observatory Hill will be cleared.Areas of scrub and trees will be removed from the Downs.On Leigh Woods side what are described as 'large areas of grassland' are to be cut out of the woods above the old quarries and at Donkeys slide (See Map D).
These works will be done by degrees in the hope of lessening public opposition.
Our petition of 2003 revealed that the Council intended to create 'a new landscape of open grassland and isolated trees'. At the time we were acciused of being misleading. How accurate our prediction has turned out to have been!
Web Site for more information: http://www.bristoldownswatch.org.uk
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