When the opportunity to secure funding for work at Birnie Loch Local Nature Reserve arose, staff from Fife Council's Community Services (Countryside) saw a great chance to get a number of issues off the ground that had been just not possible previously.
Over the years the Reserve, a former gravel extraction site, has proven very popular, with annual visits estimated at between 70,000 and 100,000 per annum. The original car park was beginning to show signs of wear, and was riddled with potholes. In addition it was felt that some speed ramps at key points would add to the overall safety of the site. This would be a very positive step in improving the visitor experience and the first impression of the site for visitors. The safety of the area is particularly important for the many school, community and other groups using the site. There was also a decision to create a dedicated disabled parking bay.
The Birnie Loch Nature Reserve expanded in 1996 to include the previously quarried Gaddon Loch. A great deal of work had been done previously through working with the local community and particularly the Howe of Fife Rotary Club. The footpaths around Birnie had been resurfaced and a new bird hide was put in place to overlook Gaddon Loch, complementing the one already overlooking the water of Birnie. The grassland around Gaddon showed promising signs as a valuable habitat and if there was the opportunity to graze it, the benefits would be significant. The plan was to move a small number of sheep around key areas, so it was absolutely vital that the site be stock-proofed with electric fencing along stretches of its boundary.
The process began with planning meetings in January 2003, shortly after the Scottish Executive gave the project the go-ahead.
Under the terms of contract management regulations and the Council's competitive tendering process, there were already mechanisms in place to govern how the contract was to be let and which suppliers were deemed to be best value. The local Ranger, Tony Wilson, raised the project with the community through the Nature Reserve Advisory Group held in April 2003, attended by the Community Council, Fife Council, Scottish Natural Heritage and Council Officers. He also approached a number of the local schools to see if they would be interested in using the project as part of their work relating to planning or environmental studies. Unfortunately, as the work was being done towards the end of term, there were no takers, but once the sheep are grazing the grassland there will be future opportunities stemming from the project.
Meetings and discussion took place with the Facilities Service, who were to manage the fencing contract, Transportation Service who were undertaking the carpark resurfacing, and Planning Service (who advised that planning permission was not required) assisted with the preparation of carpark specifications. SEPA were approached to ensure that drainage measures were adequate and a system of swales was incorporated into the drainage plan.
Throughout this period the public was kept informed of the proposals through monthly newsletters and contact with Tony - both at the site and through the local press.
The drainage works were completed in early April by staff from within Community Services (Countryside) as this turned out to be the most cost efficient mechanism. The Access Operations Officer, Phil Clarke, who supervised much of the on-site work, drew up the plan and specifications and oversaw the work.
After the drainage work was complete the resurfacing of the carpark began in early May 2003 and was completed within just over a week. Tony made sure that the public was kept informed and patrolled the site to ensure that there were no obstructions to the work.
There were some ongoing difficulties over the completion of the fencing contract, but through extensive negotiation with Facilities Service, and their work as contract managers, this issue was resolved when the work was completed at the end of May/beginning of June. Throughout this process there was liaison with the Scottish Executive to keep them informed of the progress and issues.
All in all, the project had a very positive impact on the site and seems to have been well received by those using it. Initial contact was made concerning potential grazing of the site and after the grassland plants had finished flowering, sheep were to be present on site.
Contact
Mark Wootton
Head Ranger
Fife Ranger Services
Pitcairn Centre
Moidart Drive
Coul
Glenrothes
KY7 6NX
Telephone: 01592 7411212