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Gaz wrote:I've done a bit of research into Hobson's Way and why the NRA can't tarmac over it. Mercer told me (https://ukshootingnews.wordpress.com/20 ... eed-bumps/) that local enviro mentalists have some kind of fixation with worms on Polledoak Slade (the wood at the RHS of Century which Hobson's Way runs through) and so Surrey Heath borough council won't let the NRA properly metal the road on the basis that it might slow the worms' movement across it and result in lots of them getting squished. Apparently.

Polledoak Slade itself (covering the wood and Short Siberia) is a Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI). This is like a Site of Special Scientific Interest but is unofficial/designated by the local council - similar difference as between a Grade I listed building and a "locally listed" building. SNCI matters down that way are dealt with by Surrey Wildlife Trust. The SNCI documentation for Polledoak Slade held by Surrey Heath council does not record any species of interest, so this worm story may be a red herring. Either way the local council apparently won't hear of anything being done with Hobson's Way. The only reason the rest of the camp's roads were done is because it falls within Guildford Borough Council, who seem quite sensible about these matters.

I understand the NRA are considering whether to get a landscape architect (or some such function) in to muck about further with the back of Century. I don't know whether that's pandering to the enviro mentalist lobby and will result in restrictions on the use of the range or if it's part of the grand plan to tart the place up a bit.

Gaz wrote:I've done a bit of research into Hobson's Way and why the NRA can't tarmac over it. Mercer told me (https://ukshootingnews.wordpress.com/20 ... eed-bumps/) that local enviro mentalists have some kind of fixation with worms on Polledoak Slade (the wood at the RHS of Century which Hobson's Way runs through) and so Surrey Heath borough council won't let the NRA properly metal the road on the basis that it might slow the worms' movement across it and result in lots of them getting squished. Apparently.

Polledoak Slade itself (covering the wood and Short Siberia) is a Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI). This is like a Site of Special Scientific Interest but is unofficial/designated by the local council - similar difference as between a Grade I listed building and a "locally listed" building. SNCI matters down that way are dealt with by Surrey Wildlife Trust. The SNCI documentation for Polledoak Slade held by Surrey Heath council does not record any species of interest, so this worm story may be a red herring. Either way the local council apparently won't hear of anything being done with Hobson's Way. The only reason the rest of the camp's roads were done is because it falls within Guildford Borough Council, who seem quite sensible about these matters.

I understand the NRA are considering whether to get a landscape architect (or some such function) in to muck about further with the back of Century. I don't know whether that's pandering to the enviro mentalist lobby and will result in restrictions on the use of the range or if it's part of the grand plan to tart the place up a bit.

Airbrush wrote:

Gaz wrote:I've done a bit of research into Hobson's Way and why the NRA can't tarmac over it. Mercer told me (https://ukshootingnews.wordpress.com/20 ... eed-bumps/) that local enviro mentalists have some kind of fixation with worms on Polledoak Slade (the wood at the RHS of Century which Hobson's Way runs through) and so Surrey Heath borough council won't let the NRA properly metal the road on the basis that it might slow the worms' movement across it and result in lots of them getting squished. Apparently.

Polledoak Slade itself (covering the wood and Short Siberia) is a Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI). This is like a Site of Special Scientific Interest but is unofficial/designated by the local council - similar difference as between a Grade I listed building and a "locally listed" building. SNCI matters down that way are dealt with by Surrey Wildlife Trust. The SNCI documentation for Polledoak Slade held by Surrey Heath council does not record any species of interest, so this worm story may be a red herring. Either way the local council apparently won't hear of anything being done with Hobson's Way. The only reason the rest of the camp's roads were done is because it falls within Guildford Borough Council, who seem quite sensible about these matters.

I understand the NRA are considering whether to get a landscape architect (or some such function) in to muck about further with the back of Century. I don't know whether that's pandering to the enviro mentalist lobby and will result in restrictions on the use of the range or if it's part of the grand plan to tart the place up a bit.

That is ridiculous.

Dougan wrote:That's exactly what they mean Channel12, and Gaz knows it as he's been told before...

...maybe stirring up a can of 'worms' makes a better story for him...

Dougan wrote:I'm sure that there could be a sensible solution with the right type of surface (I've seen an adder stuck to a tarmac road before) and approach to building (there are other roads in Surrey with 'toad tunnels' built into them), but it would probably be expensive and protracted to get organised and approved...

...probably easier to just manage the pot-holes...

Gaz wrote:

Dougan wrote:That's exactly what they mean Channel12, and Gaz knows it as he's been told before...

...maybe stirring up a can of 'worms' makes a better story for him...

Or maybe I didn't write down the "slow" part because you told me on the range and I only remembered the "worms" bit (being a Lahndahner who wouldn't know a slow-worm from a regular worm), while I do have a written note of "worms" from interviewing the good Mr Mercer...

Cockup rather than conspiracy. You can take the tinfoil hat off now