HALF-MILLION POUND PROJECT LAUNCHED TO SAVE WORLD-FAMOUS LIMESTONE PAVEMENT AREAS IN NORTH WEST

Work has already begun to conserve several pavement sites within a 1,000 hectare site over several locations around Morecambe Bay which are designated as candidate Special Areas of Conservation (cSAC). They are also home to a rare microscopic snail and some of the more unusual plant species in the UK.

The four-year Lowland Limestone Pavement Rehabilitation Project - which is formally launched next week (25 July) - has received a quarter of a million pounds from the European Union, which grants LIFE funding to projects which contribute significantly to the EC’s environmental policy.

And match funding has also come from a partnership made up of the Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Forestry Commission, English Nature, the Lake District National Park Authority and Cumbria Wildlife Trust.

Over the past century, limestone pavements in Britain have been broken up for a number of uses including rockeries, walling and gateposts or they’ve been cleared to improve pasture land.

Now, only about 2,600 hectares of limestone pavement remain, and most of these are in the north west of England with small pockets in Wales.

The Lowland Limestone area is particularly unusual as parts of it have woodland. Up to now, non-native trees and scrub have been removed from some of the pavement sites within the project area to help restore rare plant communities and herb-rich limestone grassland.

Longer term, the project will introduce traditional techniques such as coppicing to help re-establish the natural vegetation. A deer management programme will also be implemented to prevent destruction of the plant regrowth and safeguard the population of the narrow-mouthed whorl snail.

“This whole area of limestone pavement is one of the most botanically rich in the UK and is internationally recognised,” said Graeme Prest, North West England Forest district manager.

“Already the partners in the project have done quite a bit of work to help with its conservation, but the LIFE funding will help us to expand our activities to enhance these internationally important habitats.”


Press enquiries to Graeme Prest, North West England District Forest manager, on 01229 860373.

Notes to editors:

1. The limestone pavements in England and Wales were formed on Carboniferous limestone, laid down over 300 million years ago. The limestone was exposed during the ice-age some 10,000 years ago, creating the level and gently sloping platforms which can be seen today. The deep fissures (grikes) and channels in the pavements have been caused by weathering, acids in the rain and ground water which have eroded the bedrock.

2. Coppicing is the practice of cutting a broadleaf tree back to the stump, allowing it to send up new shoots from just above ground level.

3. The Forestry Commission is the largest provider of countryside recreation in Britain with responsibility for over one million hectares (2.4 million acres) of forest, woodlands and open countryside. The North West England Forest District covers the Lake District in Cumbria, the Forest of Bowland in Lancashire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Cheshire. The forests today are managed for conservation, wildlife, landscape and recreation as well as providing a valuable source of timber.

4. The Cumbria Wildlife Trust is a conservation charity established to protect the wildlife and wild places of Cumbria. It has four main areas of work: education - through walks, talks and open days; advice to local authorities, local industry and the public; nature reserves - the trust directly protects over 3,000 hectares on 41 reserves throughout Cumbria, and projects for threatened species to raise awareness among landowners and the public.

5. The purpose of the Lake District National Park Authority is to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the area and to promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the area by the public.

6. English Nature is the statutory adviser to government on nature conservation in England and promotes the conservation of England’s wildlife and natural features. Its work includes the selection, establishment and management of National Nature Reserves and Marine Nature Reserves; identification and notification of Sites of Special Scientific Interest; the provision of advice and information about nature conservation and the support and conduct of research relevant to these functions. English Nature is also responsible for designation and management of candidate Special Areas of Conservation and the implementation of the European Habitat Directive.

Liz Seale