Partnership working brings about Barr Beacon beauty spot access improvements

Date Published : 27 August 2008

A near £10,000 project, funded by The Barr Beacon Trust that owns Walsall’s famous Barr Beacon beauty spot, will see main vehicle access tracks across the nature reserve improved.

Working in partnership with Walsall Council’s Countryside Services, the trust has commissioned work to resurface part of the track, improve its drainage and update the site’s night-time traffic control systems.

The work is due to be carried out from September 8 - 19 2008 and is part of the trust’s commitment to preserve Barr Beacon – one of Walsall’s most valuable and well-loved green spaces.

The improvements will mean highly visible “dragons’ teeth-style” ramps will be installed at the site’s two vehicle exit points on Beacon Road (B 4154), to reinforce the site’s one way traffic flow system.

Motorists will be able to pass slowly and safely over the new ramps in the correct direction only.

The new measures will deter drivers who try to travel the wrong way as doing so will damage their vehicles.

The move is aimed at ensuring the site is not accessible to unauthorised vehicles during darkness.

Councillor Gary Clarke, vice-chairman of the Barr Beacon Trust, said: “We are pleased to be able to use our precious funds to carry out such important improvement work to this popular nature reserve, which will make it a more easily accessible, pleasant, safe and attractive place to visit.

“These new measures will ensure the security of this fragile nature reserve and its important heritage features such as the war memorial, at night time.

“Motorists should expect some unavoidable but minor disruption to access and parking while the work is taking place, but normal service will be resumed as soon as possible.

“The benefits of the work should be immediately clear to all users of the site following its completion.”

Barr Beacon is the highest point within the Walsall Borough, standing 228 metres above sea level and lying 5 kilometres (3 miles) east of Walsall town centre, therefore the site is a well known landmark and focal point throughout the West Midlands, providing fabulous views of the surrounding land. It is a sandstone ridge that in the 18th Century was covered in heathland and used for sheep grazing.

Walsall Countryside Services have been managing Barr Beacon Nature Reserve since 1995 and aims to maintain and enhance the wildlife value of the 27 hectare (67 acre) site, in particular through the care and creation of heathland, but also through managing the areas of scrub, broadleaf woodland, acidic grassland, gorse, bracken etc., to form a matrix of heathland habitats with neutral grassland wildflower meadows.