Petition To Save Mill Lane - Prevent Further Damage and Destruction Being Caused To Trees, Vegetation and Habitats Along Mill and Green Lanes in the village of Horsford Norfolk.

Horsford in particular but also neighbouring villages have seen their populations increase significantly in recent years which makes it even more important to ensure The Lanes Are Protected for Recreational Use and to protect the woodlands and farm land for wildlife which has been particularly hard hit not only by the rapid development but also the building of the Northern Distributer Road.

As a frequent user of Mill Lane in particular and also along Green Lane it has come to my attention that significant damage and destruction has been recently been  done to the trees, vegetation and habitats along this route. I am seriously alarmed by this and the speed at which it has been happening. It appears to be the intention to artificially widen the route to facilitate access for further housing development to the north of Mill Lane.

The lanes are ancient drovers lanes, hundreds of years old lined by beautiful ancient woodland and forest and are a joy to use for walking, dog walking, cycling, family excursions including those with prams, education and other outdoor recreational activities. During the pandemic the lanes have also been especially important for people who wish to exercise safely. They improve people’s quality of life and we need to ensure that they are protected for the health, mental health and well-being for the current and future generations.

The lanes with their wide verges are also a haven for wildlife from insects, to mammals and birds all of which live there and find that their habitat is reducing as the land is built upon. We need to protect it for the future of the planet and the increase in awareness of climate change only emphasises the importance of this issue.

Unfortunately they are also sadly used by some for more destructive pastimes such as 4x4 off-roading, motor cycling and quad bikes and there is thus the potential for serious safety issues when both motorised vehicles and people are using the same space. There is also the issue of damage to the actual road itself which as an unsurfaced drovers lane is not designed to take these vehicles or modern heavy tractors and farming equipment regularly.

I am starting this petition to raise awareness of the problem and to ask that the Horsford Parish Council, Broadland and South Norfolk District Council, Norfolk County Council, the Highways Department and Forestry England who all have a part to play in looking after this valuable amenity that we are lucky enough to have on our doorstep to:

1. Stop any further damage and destruction to trees, vegetation and habitats along these ancient lanes

2. Recognise the value of these lanes to the residents of Horsford and Newton St Faith as green space. Without them where will residents go?

3. Restrict access using bollards or the like allowing access to pedestrians and cyclists etc. Which has been done successfully elsewhere.

For the above reasons please please help by signing and sharing our petition. If you see this petition and think that this issue is nothing to do with you or the place where you live then think again because it is happening everywhere! Once the green space has gone it will be gone and will never come back! We need to protect it wherever we are so that future generations can enjoy the beauty of ancient wild space.