FoPV Work Morning Roundup - Tuesday 20th May 2025

Hello Conservation Volunteers

We recently received a request from Ranger Matt to help remove an unapproved bike track in Trippet Wood, much larger in scale than anything else he had come across in the valley, causing a significant amount of damage due to excavation (at depth) of the ground.  Historically this section of Trippet wood was pasture land, but the Forestry Commission compartment within which this (and the entirety of Trippet wood resides) is designated as ancient woodland and is also within a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) which brings with it enhanced legal protection.

We met Matt at the top of Bingham Park where he gave us a full run down of what had been done and why it was necessary to remove it and prevent further damage to the woodland, explaining the council has a statutory duty (Section 40 Biodiversity Duty) for conservation and as such had put up "please cease and desist" notices in May 2024 but not only had these been ignored but the track had been extensively increased. Further signage had also been installed in early May 2025 warning the trails would be removed which is where FoPV were asked to help as there was far too much damage for the Rangers to undertake alone and it was impossible to get a small digger down without causing further damage.

Armed with mattocks, spades and the odd rake we walked down to the bottom of the track just above the PROW footpath, where we came across the first structure, a banking (berm) built up with large rocks and earth to allow bikers to go around a corner at high speed. Here we were given instructions on what we needed to do - we weren't aiming to restore the woodland, that wouldn't be achievable given the size of excavations and damage, but to pull the material onto the trail.

Next Matt walked us all up the actual track itself. This was a number of large structures on a massive scale all the way up the hillside incorporating pits dug for material, berms, ramps and jumps, and the destruction of the remnants of the old field boundaries to use the large stones in the construction. The devastation to the woodland is impossible to appreciate without actually seeing it and the photos do not convey the full extent of it. There was also evidence of trees having been chopped down to be used in the construction of the various structures.

As we got to one large structure Matt explained more about the damage to the trees by measuring the tree's diameter and calculating the Root Protection Area (RPA) which is a defined area around a tree where any activity could damage the tree root, through root damage or ground compaction.  The distance in this case was 19 feet and the excavation work was well within this distance - only a few feet away from the trunk. The lateral and fine roots, essential for nutrient and water absorption, could be seen sticking out having been cut through and this wasn't an isolated example.

The whole track had been cleared of ground cover and flora and is now just compacted bare earth which will exacerbate soil erosion where nothing will grow. Such depth of excavation will also prevent the seed bank from regenerating these areas. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil_seed_bank

Although hard work, with 15 volunteers including Councillor Barbara Masters, the work was completed as required.

A note from the Ranger Service

The Ranger Service and SCC Woodland Officers are keen for people to enjoy their local woodlands responsibly. Jon Dallow, the Woodland Officer for this area, supports many of Sheffield’s official MTB trails and works closely with groups like Ride Sheffield to promote safe and fun riding.

In this case, it’s unfortunate the digging happened in the wrong place with the wrong trail. Playing in the woods is good, unsanctioned trail building at this size and depth isn't. It's not fair to blame young people entirely - many social media influencers are setting the wrong example.

The good news? Sheffield has a thriving, welcoming MTB scene with plenty of chances to get involved in trail building and events. Jon recently attended the Bolehills opening jam and the Ranger Service has supported the Steel City Downhill event since the very start. Bolehills BMX and Ride Sheffield at Lady Cannings are always looking for people to be involved. Check out https://bolehills.com/ and https://ridesheffield.org.uk/ for more info.

Some legal information

• The Council has a statutory duty (Section 40 ‘Biodiversity Duty’) to the conservation of priority habitats. Biodiversity Duty was further strengthened under the Environment Act 2021, to the ends that the Council must take action to conserve habitat, as part of the Council’s statutory commitment to ‘nature recovery’.

• Trippet Wood and the Porter Valley itself is designated a LNR. LNRs have significant protection, as follows:

  • Legal designation: LNRs are protected by law.

  • Planning weight: LNRs carry more weight in the planning process, making it harder to build on or damage them.

  • Management duty: Local authorities are required to care for and manage LNRs as a legal duty. 

• By 'law' is referring to:

  • The Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981

  • Countryside & Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000

  • Natural Environment & Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006

Links

Official map of The Porter Valley LNR - https://naturalengland-defra.opendata.arcgis.com/datasets/b1d690ac6dd54c15bdd2d341b686ecd7/explore?location=53.363117%2C-1.523352%2C16.00

Sheffield's LNRs - https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/parks-sport-recreation/local-nature-reserves

...elsewhere.........a report from Jenny at Forge Dam pulling up more American avens.....

Three people met to tackle the "aliens" at Forge!

We started on the top of the bank of the dam.

Rowena worked really hard with a trowel on hands and knees. It was hard work as the soil is now very compacted from the drought conditions.

Jenny resorted to cutting off all flower stems. After an hour in the sun, the "sea of yellow" on the bank was buttercup only - for now!!

We went in search of Ann who was assessing just how bad the "invasion" was around the dam. We found her by the holly tree, and we looked up the bank. That too was a "sea of yellow" but not of buttercup!

We decided the best plan was to seek shade and a reviving cup of tea! After which Rowena and Jenny worked up the shaded path by the side of the playground for another half hour by which time it was midday.

Photos from Trippet Wood

Ranger Matt measuring the Root Protection Area (RPA) with both earthworks and large excavated pit circled within the RPA

Substantial ramp and jump with another large excavated pit circled

Earthworks showing some of the cut down trees being used in the berm

Smaller pit

Large excavated pit circled and a berm

More deep excavations

Part of the trail with chopped tree roots circled

Councillor Masters pulling material onto the trail

A large excavated area showing tree stumps in the background where trees have been cut down to be used for building. A recently cut down tree can be seen laying down top centre

Ranger Matt and volunteers pulling material onto the trail