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Eskdale & Liddesdale Advertiser • Owned by the Community : Published for the Community Thursday July 9, 2020 5
Access and diversity Bridge
IN BRIEF

go with production damage

SERIOUS damage to some of
the base buffer stones on the
suspension bridge has been
Comments are sought on the reshaped Newcastleton forest plan reported by councillor Ronnie
Tait to Dumfries and Galloway
Council.
The bridge was due to be
COPSHAW residents have and raptors are also planned. “The ongoing restructuring, repaired last summer but the
until July 26 to comment on The forest comprises 2,736 primarily through clearfell and work was delayed.
a new management plan for hectares. Sitka spruce covers restock, will continue to diversity Mr Tait said he had reported
Newcastleton forest. 59 per cent with the objective the forest structure. to an engineer that the stones
Forestry and Land Scotland of reducing that to 54 per cent “Tourism is a vital element of
has produced a new land man- in year 20. the area’s economy and the had been displaced by the flood-
ing so it was “quite serious”.
agement plan and submitted it Other conifers cover 14 per forest is an important asset for The engineer had come out
to Scottish Forestry for the final cent, rising to 18 per cent; native drawing walkers, mountain bik- to look at the bridge.
formal consultation period, dur- broadleaves would rise from six ers and horse riders. The 7Stanes Mr Tait also said that Amey
ing which it is on the Scottish per cent to eight per cent; other mountain bike route is of par- was carrying out repairs to some
Forestry Public Register. broadleaves would stay at two ticular importance.” stones on the northern side of
Its long-term vision is to com- hectares; and open ground fall He added: “Newcastleton is Skippers bridge.
pletely restructure the forest to from 22 per cent to 20 per cent. vulnerable to flooding from the
achieve a healthy and resilient Report author John Ogilvie, Liddel Water so the community ____________________
forest which contributes to long- planning forester, said: “In has a close interest in any
term economic, social and riparian areas, where native activities upstream which may
environmental benefits. broadleaves are established influence the flooding risk, Plan for old
The objectives include devel- through planting or previous including forest management.
oping resilience to climate natural regeneration, it is “It’s important that operations
change and optimise carbon expected that this will provide The Hidden Valley mountain bike route in Newcastleton forest. The are done as sensitively as pos- school
capture, increase the forest’s the seed source for further 7Stanes trails are of particular importance sible in line with forests and
structural diversity and optimise expansion of native woodland.” mire) habitat will be left for new roads but during the water guidelines to minimise PLANNING permission in prin-
the land’s productive potential. The focus of native woodland unplanted. plan period several roads will the risk of any negative down- ciple is being sought by Kirsty
Quality timber for construction, expansion will be along the Before operations sites will need a major upgrading.” stream impact.
having a welcoming and acces- main riparian corridors of be checked for protected and Mr Ogilvie said of the land- Send comments to southscot- McGhie of Morecambe,
sible environment for visitors, Kershope Burn and Tweeden important species, including scape: “The forest fits in well land.cons@forestry.gov.scot Lancashire, to demolish the flat-
protecting the historical and Burn, along with Priesthill Burn, badgers, red squirrels and rap- in the surrounding landscape The plan is at roofed classrooms at the former
archaeological heritage and Harden Burn and burns feeding tors. and most of it has a low profile https://forestryandland.gov.scot/ Glenzier primary school and
develop habitats for various into Boghall Burn. The forest has a substantial as seen from the village and what-we-do/planning/consulta- build a house.
species, including red squirrels Small-scale wetland (bog or road network with minimal need immediate area. tions/newcastleton

School’s out for summer Welcome to
www.eladvertiser.co.uk

the new website for the E & L Advertiser

At a time when we are continually being
reminded to stay at home, we have decided
now is the time to launch our new website
and hope that it helps everyone in Eskdale
and Liddesdale to keep in touch with what
is happening locally. In these troubled
times, self-isolating at home is a challenging
experience and the more rural our home,
the more difficult it can be to get to our
local shops and buy our everyday needs,
including our weekly copy of the E&L.

We had planned an all singing, all dancing website with subscriptions, interactions and a
full digital version of the E&L but that will come later once the coronavirus, COVID-19,
has been consigned to the history books....
Thirty Langholm nursery pupils are moving up to P1 after the summer break
Aye, the best laid schemes o' mice an' men gang aft a-gley !
THE Langholm and Canonbie Schools Cluster “The information from the government and
is preparing for a return to school on August 11. the national recovery group at the end of July In the meantime, we hope that you will get some enjoyment from this abbreviated
There is a degree of uncertainty about their will allow us to finalise our planning for the version which will become available early next week where you can access articles
return on that date and will be determined by return of our schools in August.
the national guidance from the Scottish govern- “The blended learning model, which we origi- from each week’s E&L as well as recent editions of the digital version of the E&L.
ment at the end of this month. nally communicated with you, will remain as
Dr Gillian Brydson, director of skills, education our contingency plan and is likely to be the Hopefully, this will enable you to keep up with what is happening in Eskdale and
and learning at Dumfries and Galloway Council, approach taken should the scientific evidence Liddesdale and we can all look forward to the launch of the completed version of
has written to parents. be such that a full return in August would be www.eladvertiser.co.uk later in the year.
She said: “I want to assure you our schools are unsafe or, after a return, the levels of the virus
well prepared. They have two plans: one for a increased or there are local spikes.” And once you’ve tried it, let us know what you think of it –
full return; and a contingency plan. We will con- Parents can view a copy of the education con- sharon@eladvertiser.co.uk
tinue to develop these plans over the summer. tingency plan at www.supportdg.dumgal.gov.uk.
“Owned by the Community............Published for the Community”