Hedgehogs R Us Highway Project

Please read about the project here: Hedgehogs R Us Highway Project – Hedgehogs R Us

With Hedgehog numbers in decline and Hedgehog awareness on the rise, there has never been a better time to get involved in Hedgehog conservation.

A Hedgehog Highway is a 5 inch gap in a fence and is essential in the battle to prevent the extinction of our endangered spiky friends. This gap allows them access to forage for food and meet mates.

Hedgehog shaped fence surrounds raise awareness to the plight of Hedgehogs, create a talking point and encourage others to take part in the project. Fence surrounds are made from recycled plastic and can themselves be recycled.

I am asking for each area of the UK to use a small portion of their assigned funds to purchase a box of hedgehog highway surrounds and make them available for their residents.

Each box of 50 is £150 and includes: * 50 Hedgehog Highway surrounds & 50 information leaflets

*A display box & window sticker showing you are part of the project.

Ideas of how to benefit your community include:

*Donate the Highways and leaflets to your local school to educate in wildlife conservation

*Swap the Highways for a donation of Hedgehog food which can then be given to your local Hedgehog Rescue Centre

The project will be receiving a lot of publicity in the coming months via Social Media and I really hope that you choose to take part.

My dream is to make the whole of the UK one giant Hedgehog Highway and for that dream to come true, it needs EVERYONE to take part.

Money is donated to Hedgehog Conservation for every box sold too!

Please read about the project here: Hedgehogs R Us Highway Project – Hedgehogs R Us

Temporary Road Closure: ttro135587W(TD) – Knapp Road, North Curry

Please follow the link to view the above road closure; https://one.network/?tm=136961963 and the link for the Notice 2https://api-gb.one.network/downloads/tm/1111/03-notice-2_136961963_3693012_3db51ea5b3.pdf
The order becomes effective on 28th March 2024 and will remain in force for eighteen months.

The works are expected to commence on 3rd April 2024 and last for 8 hours (08:00 – 16:00) to enable Utility Services Ltd to replace a pole on behalf of Openreach. Closure will be in force between the hours of 08:00 – 16:00

The contractor has indicated that access for Emergency Services through the site is permitted on this occasion.

For any further information about this closure please contact Utility Services Ltd on 0191 303 9782, quoting reference: ttro135587W(TD) 

Please note that should you require to view a closure which is more than two weeks ahead, you will need to register for free with www.One.Network

Temporary Road Closure: ttro305547W(TD) – Newport Road, North Curry

Please follow the link to view the above road closure; https://one.network/?tm=136976187 and the link for the Notice 2https://api-gb.one.network/downloads/tm/1111/03-notice-2_136976187_3689247_847ed851fe.pdf
The order becomes effective on 21 March 2024 and will remain in force for eighteen months.

The works are expected to commence on 26th March 2024 and last for 2 days (08:00 – 16:00) to enable Utility Services Ltd to replace a pole on behalf of Openreach. 

The contractor has indicated that access for Emergency Services through the site is permitted on this occasion.

For any further information about this closure please contact Utility Services Ltd on 0191 303 9782, quoting reference: ttro305547W(TD)

Please note that should you require to view a closure which is more than two weeks ahead, you will need to register for free with www.One.Network

Planned Changes to Parish Office Hours

Week beginning Monday 4th March 2024

  • Tuesday 5th March: office open 1pm – 4pm
  • Wednesday 6th March: OFFICE CLOSED
  • Thursday 7th March: OFFICE CLOSED

All non-mentioned dates as normal. Emails will still be checked.

parishcouncil@northcurry.com

Curry Moor Flood Storage Area Improvement Work Update

We last wrote to you in November 2023 to update you on the progress of the improvement work that the Environment Agency is doing to the Curry Moor Flood Storage Area.

We have paused work on site over the winter because of seasonal flooding and ecological constraints. We are now preparing for the second phase of construction which will start in spring 2024.

Public drop-in event

We’d therefore like to invite you to a pre-construction public drop-in event where we will update you on the site progress, share our construction plans for the year and answer any questions that you may have.

Date: Friday, 8 March 2024
Time: 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Venue: Williams Hall, Dark Lane, Stoke St Gregory, Taunton, TA3 6EU

Keep up to date

If you have any questions or would like to sign up to receive scheme updates, please contact Sam Carter via email at cu rrymoorreservoir@environment-agency.gov.uk or by calling 03708 506 506.

Water mains replacement work, Meare Green and North Curry

We have had a slight change of plan in regard to this work.

Upon liaising with local businesses, we have concluded that our works past Broad Lane should be cancelled and rescheduled outside of the school holidays.

Attached is an updated plan showing our new proposal which will be split into 3 phases to allow for better access for residents.

Map

Thurlbear woods forestry operations March – April 2024

Forestry England will soon start timber harvesting work at Thurlbear Woods, where we will be thinning trees.

We expect to start working around 15th March 2024 for approximately 6 – 8 weeks.

Much of Thurlbear is classified as a Plantation on Ancient Woodland Site (PAWS) which means that we are gradually managing it back to the way it would have been several hundred years ago. We will manage the forest to help native broadleaf species such as oak and birch to regenerate naturally.

We are thinning across a large area of the woodland. This means removing selective trees for timber products. This gives the remaining trees more light and space to grow to their full potential. It also lets more light onto the forest floor which helps the flora. This is part of our long-term sustainable management of Thurlbear. We are working at this time of year to also protect the soil composition.

The woodland to the south of the area leased by the Somerset wildlife trust will be closed, as well as the public rights of way (please see attached map). Access from the north and northeast of the woodland will be unaffected. Please follow all signs and instructions at all times. These are for your safety, whether or not you can see or hear us working. This will help us to finish working as quickly as possible.

Forestry work is very hazardous. A falling tree can weigh several tonnes and hit the ground at nearly 60mph. If a harvesting machine chainsaw snaps, it can fly through the forest like a bullet.

Before we start any forestry work, we conduct thorough ecological surveys to check for species such as birds, mammals, rodents, invertebrates, flora, and fungi. We consider these findings against complex factors including tree health, how the ground slopes, soil condition, and likely rainfall when planning work that will support our long-term management plan. Thurlbear has good bat and dormouse habitat. We are working in early spring to be least disruptive to breeding wildlife.

We understand that residents may not be familiar with sustainable forest management, and we are keen to explain how this planned work supports the long-term health and resilience of the forest. Our climate is changing, bringing new threats to our trees, and we need to build resilience within our forests. With this in mind, we are already planning how we will restock the area with a diverse range of tree species that will thrive in the climate conditions we expect in 2050 and beyond.

You can read our full forest plan for Thurlbear online at Blackdown Hills Forest Plan | Forestry England

Below is a map explaining where we will be working. In areas highlighted yellow, we will be conducting routine thinning to maintain the health and quality of the trees.

Map of Thurlbear Woods Operations Mar Apr 2024

Temporary Road Closure: ttro396230W(TD) – West Sedgemoor Road, North Curry

Please follow the link to view the above road closure; https://one.network/?tm=136890910 and the link for the Notice 2https://api-gb.one.network/downloads/tm/1111/03-notice-2_136890910_3682205_c7de618360.pdf
The order becomes effective on 07th March 2024 and will remain in force for eighteen months.

The works are expected to commence on 13th March 2024 and last for 8 hours (08:00 – 16:00) to enable Utility Services Ltd to replace a pole on behalf of Openreach. 

The contractor has indicated that access for Emergency Services through the site is permitted on this occasion.

For any further information about this closure please contact Utility Services Ltd on 0191 303 9782, quoting reference: ttro396230W(TD).

Please note that should you require to view a closure which is more than two weeks ahead, you will need to register for free with www.One.Network

Temporary Road Closure: ttro684372W(TD) -WW- Stoke Rd, Stoke St. Gregory

Please follow the link to view the above road closure; https://one.network/?tm=136821243 and the link for the Notice 2: https://api-gb.one.network/downloads/tm/1111/03-notice-2_136821243_3687166_2cf5f6c396.pdf
The order becomes effective on 07th March 2024 and will remain in force for eighteen months.

The works are expected to commence on 14th March 2024 and last for 177 days to enable Wessex Water to carry out phased works to replace metallic main. 

The contractor has indicated that access for Emergency Services through the site is not permitted on this occasion.

For any further information about this closure please contact Wessex Water on 0345 600 4600, quoting reference: ttro684372W(TD).

Please note that should you require to view a closure which is more than two weeks ahead, you will need to register for free with www.One.Network

Urgent Road Closure: – ttro465173W(TD) – Oxen Lane, North Curry

Please be aware that we have received a notification of a TTRN (urgent / emergency) road closure at Oxen Lane, North Curry  which  will commence on 8th February 202412th February 2024 (00:00 – 23:59) for a total of 5 days.

This will enable Wessex Water to repair mains leak. This closure will be in force 24 hours a day.

The contractor has indicated that access for Emergency Services through the site  is not permitted on this occasion.

For any further information about this closure please contact Wessex Water on 0345 600 4600, quoting reference: ttro465173W(TD)

Please visit one.network  https://one.network/?tm=137459384 where you will see the map of the affected area (in red), together with the supplied diversion route (in blue).

Please note: this diversion route could be subject to change on review.