Why areas of Ashton Court are being closed off with rope fences

Bristol’s Ashton Court Estate is a popular destination with families and walkers especially as the weather heats up - but if you’ve visited recently, you may notice that some areas of the much-loved country park have been fenced off.

Sections of The Plateau located near the Clifton Lodge car park have been closed by Bristol City Council’s Parks and Green Spaces service, with visitors urged to stay out of these areas and keep their dogs on a short lead.

It forms part of a project to protect endangered wildlife, namely breeding skylarks, which make their nests among the grass at Ashton Court during the spring.

Increased visitor numbers as well as numbers of dogs roaming off the lead are believed to have contributed to a decline in their population over the last 40 years.

So, after the success of a previous temporary conservation zone protecting skylark nests, it was decided that they would be put in place again this year.

Councillor Ellie King, cabinet member for Communities at Bristol City Council, said: “We recognise how important the use of Ashton Court Estate and the other parks and green spaces throughout Bristol have been for people to exercise and maintain their physical and mental health, and we support and encourage this to continue.

“The action we are taking at Ashton Court Estate is about striking a balance between maintaining these facilities and protecting the ecology within them to ensure the spaces can be used and enjoyed by all citizens well into the future.

“Everyone can play their part in safeguarding the wildlife at Ashton Court by not entering the roped-off temporary conservation areas, keeping their dog on a short lead in the area and sticking to the mown and surfaced paths."

The Plateau is also home to an important population of green-winged orchids, some of which are in danger of being damaged by the impact of walkers while they lie dormant underground.

Bristol City Council, which manages the site of ‘special scientific interest’, said the temporary conversation zones are expected to remain in place until the mid-summer.

For further information visit: www.bristol.gov.uk/museums-parks-sports-culture/ashton-court-estate