Call for action to protect wildlife at Shawlands Woods in Great Cornard from illegal motorbike use
Authorities are set to discuss what can be done to stop groups digging up and destroying a nature reserve in Great Cornard.
Shawlands Woods, near to Hawthorn Road, is home to wildlife species, such as grass snakes and lizards, which are being threatened by groups holding gatherings and constructing bike ramps and jumps.
Rayner Byam, 42, of Hawthorn Road, said: “Since lockdown last year, it has become a meeting place for teenagers and adults who refuse to adhere to lockdown rules. I reported many parties that were going on in the woods last summer – they were happening at least three nights a week.
“In the past three months, there have been a number using the woods as a bike track. These people decided that they wanted to make their own track around the woods, so have been slowly digging up plants and trees and making new paths.
“In doing this, they have dug up plants in one area that were home to grass snakes and lizards, and bushes that had birds nesting in.”
She added: “I have spoken to several elderly people who walk there at dawn now as they are too scared to walk during the day, as they get abused by those creating this problem.”
The woodland is a protected site managed by Sudbury Common Lands Charity on behalf of Great Cornard Parish Council.
The groups have raised the issue with Suffolk Constabulary, which led to signs being put up to discourage motorbike use, which is now prohibited by a by-law. The signs, however, have been taken down, with no message outside the woods spelling out that cycling is not allowed.
Parish council manager Nadine Tamlyn said discussions could commence over the coming weeks to consider what could be done.
She said: “It is a protected site and we appreciate the concerns. We will assess the site, and work with Sudbury Common Lands and its wardens to assess what can be done.
“The area is checked on a weekly basis and we are grateful to residents for bringing issues like this to our attention.”
A Suffolk Police spokesman said: “We are aware of anti-social activity in the area of Shawlands Woods.
“Some signs were put up to discourage such behaviour and we are aware that criminal damage to the signs has taken place.
“We acknowledge that such anti-social behaviour can cause distress and worry for local residents and affect people’s quality of life. We will monitor the situation closely and look to continue patrols in the area.”
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