Having read about it in the parish newsletter, I went to have a look for myself (a detour on my way to the polling station on July 4th) at an extraordinary, unbelievably arrogant act of despoilation.
We are very fortunate to live in a rural and fairly tranquil area which is in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The river Kennet and the Kennet and Avon Canal run through it. It is also something of a wildlife haven, especially with the water meadows nearby. We see many birds (including Reed Buntings, one of whom has been a regular visitor to the garden this year), dragonflies, fish, bats and water voles. There is even a horse-drawn barge. It is all rather idyllic.
The canal has a fascinating history. It runs from Reading to Bristol and has over 100 locks including a chain of 29 at Pewsey. It fell into disuse after the opening of the Great Western Railway but was restored, largely by volunteers, and fully reopened in 1990. I am especially fond of the bridges.
Just by the towpath are these houses for bees and other insects and nesting boxes.
Kintbury lock:
Just across the railway line, right by the entrance to the village, someone decided they needed somewhere to park their car and trailer.
Choosing a roadside patch of woodland, by a stream, he hacked away at trees, hedgerow and shrubs, during nesting season, with ruthlessness. The selfish disregard for others and nature would be bad enough if he owned the land, but he doesn’t. It belongs to Network Rail. It is also either within or right on the boundary of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The appalling individual claims to have thought that the land was not owned by anyone which he believed gave him the right do whatever he liked. He also claims to have submitted a planning application to West Berkshire Council, but they never received it and told him he would have to submit another. He claims to have done that too but decided he couldn’t be bothered to wait for a response, obliterated the area and laid down the hard surface he wanted. Why clear so much land for such a small vehicle? The parish council is in contact with WBC, Network Rail, Natural England and the police. I hope they throw the book at him. Even if he is forced to remove his vehicles and the hard surface, the damage is done. Destruction is easy and quick, restoration takes time.
On my way home I was delighted to say this beautifully designed protest poster.
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