News

Works on the Meadows - reports from the Greenspace Officer

August 2026

Cut and Collect - The annual cut and collect was been completed during the week commencing 26th August. A good and tidy job was done with all cuttings collected and removed. This year Barnfield, a section of the meadow below Elizabeth Crescent and a good section in the middle of the meadows was done.

April 2026

​Scrub Management -The remaining cut scrub was finally chipped in January.  The contractor was made aware of my concerns regarding the length of time this has taken to sort.  Hopefully we won’t have this issue in the future; having consulted with our Biodiversity officer, using a tracked chipper is acceptable (although not ideal), but given the options when it comes to the scrub cutting, it’s the most practical.

Riverside gates - The Riverside entrance gates and minor path repairs (opposite Deva Terrace) have now been completed.

Trees - A survey of the riverside trees has been arranged by our Tree team.

Some trees have been identified for removal. One willow by the Mound has split to the base. I have asked the contractors to leave a tall stump for deadwood but to remove the brash, so it doesn’t interfere visually with the avenue.

An oak on Barnfield has got a split full length of its main stem. Having discussed various options trying to save the tree, the final decision has been to remove it. Whatever work they try to do on it to reduce the hazard to the public, it will compromise what is already a tree that at some point is destined to fail.  It’s a shame but it happens. We can look at some point in the future to either replace it or leave the area to plant more wildflowers.

See Newsletter 243 Summer 2026 for an update.

January 2026

Sailing club - They were working in the autumn to coppice a proportion of trees opposite the club.  It was agreed that there will be no power tools (battery
or fuel) used – hand tools only. 

Scrub management - The work was completed on the main meadow in October.  Following Chester Zoo rejecting the trees (for use as brash), I will look at various options for next year that will make it easier and more efficient for the contractors to operate and so get more done in the allotted time.  One possibility is chipping in the location of the felling so we don’t end up with lots of scrub lying about.

On Elizabeth Crescent the works were also completed on restructuring the bramble (which is working really well). They have also taken out a small patch of mature gorse as it was encroaching into the grassed path way. Gorse coppices well but is slow to regenerate. It will be allowed to regenerate but will also allow us to keep a wider path.

Riverside gates - this has been reported and is sitting with the infrastructure officer for action.  The erosion to the path (opposite Deva Terrace) has also been noted and flagged for repair.

October 2025

Disabled access gate - Following a site meeting with the contractor funding should be being pursued, but it will take time. I will ensure that it doesn’t get overlooked.

Scrub Management - The work was completed on the main meadow in October.  Following Chester Zoo rejecting the trees (for use as brash), various options for next year will be looked at that will make it easier and more efficient for the contractors to operate and so get more done in the allotted time.  One possibility is chipping in the location of the felling so we don’t end up with lots of scrub lying about.

On Elizabeth Crescent the works were also completed on restructuring the bramble (which is working really well). They have also taken out a small patch of mature gorse as it was encroaching into the grassed pathway. Gorse coppices well but is slow to regenerate. It will be allowed to regenerate but will also allow us to keep a wider path.

Riverside gates – this has been reported and is sitting with the infrastructure officer for action.  The erosion to the path (opposite Deva Terrace) has also been noted and flagged for repair.

August 2025

The ‘cut and collect’ has now been completed. They've done a good job!

Disabled access gates – A follow up meeting between the Greenspace Officer, contractors and the Council asset officer took place. This is being costed up and then funding will need to be sought.  It appears that Radar gates are the best option rather than altering the existing gates.  It may be some time before the money is found, but I will update when more is known.

The riverside gate damage has also been reported to the Asset Officer for action.  Additionally there is some damage to the pathway adjacent to where people access for their dogs. This has also been reported and is with the Asset Officer for action.

April 2025

Severn Trent finished the works on site in April which required ad hoc path closures of the riverside path for public safety, whilst they brought in equipment.

Towards the end of the period pathwork repairs have been done. The Heras security fencing has been left up up to allow time for the grass to reinstate and bind the surface. These will be removed once it is felt that the surface has bound sufficiently to allow open access again.