The old railway bridge on Nursery Lane

Spring flowers at the Well at Lower Sprotborough

RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY!

As I write, the canal at Lower Sprotborough is over-flowing its banks into the River Don again.  I think we've just about had enough rain here for now!

26.4.2012

FISH PASS & SMALL HYDRO SCHEME

I am afraid there is still no news on this.  There was a meeting of the Don Gorge Strategic Partnership on the 9th March 2012, when few representatives turned up and no worthwhile information was forthcoming. 

The only important information to come from the meeting was that the Partnership's Co-ordinator has been pulled from her role by DMBC and moved to another department.

We fear this does not bode well for the Partnership and wonder what will happen next.

ROAD WORKS ON THE HAIRPIN BEND

It was with some relief that the hairpin bend was reopened earlier than expected and I am sure many will be thankful that their journeys have been shortened as a result.  I was, however, surprised to hear that a number of people have actually telephoned the council to complain that the renovation of the road and footpath has spoiled the countryside feel of the road.  For those who have lived in Sprotborough for many years, I would suggest that such a 'feel' was lost about fifty years ago when all the new houses were built and roads created.  I well remember the Park and Melton Road gaining 'manicured' status in the 1960s when footpaths and kerbs were put in.  With the addition of hundreds of houses, it was inevitable that usage of the river bridges as a route to the A1(M) would increase and so it has.  It is therefore useless to complain that a worn-out road and footpath have been renewed as it is now a main thoroughfare.  Personally, I think they have done an excellent job, creating run-offs for the rain, banking up soil so that car parkers cannot ruin the verges and improving a footpath that was a danger to users.

ROAD WORKS AND CLOSURE OF SPROTBOROUGH BRIDGES

To have the bridges over the Don closed for eight weeks is not funny.   Apart from in Doncaster itself, they are the only way over the river and to get to Warmsworth or Edlington is miles and takes an age instead of the a mile or so and ten minutes.  There are three possible alternatives: via Mexborough and Conisbrough; through Doncaster; or north to the Barnsley turn-off of the A1(M) and then south to the Warmsworth turn-off.   

The plan seems to be to re-do the whole of the road, down to base level, inserting kerbstones and replacing the footpath and then re-building the road.  No doubt we'll all be pleased when it's been done, but eight weeks does seem a long time.   I am informed that although eight weeks has been stated, they do hope to complete in six if the weather doesn't hamper them.  This is where they've got to in the first week - inserting kerbstones on the left-hand side going up as far as the bend.  Let's hope the rest moves a bit quicker.

Liz

TO BE OR NOT TO BE - A FOLLOWER

PROMOTING, CONSERVING AND PROTECTING THE DON GORGE THROUGH EDUCATION AND ACTION

Members of the Don Gorge Community Group committee discussed the possibility of setting up an official Friends group at our meeting this week, but decided against it on the grounds that we lack the man or woman power to manage it.  We know from people we meet that many people are interested in what we are doing and support us, but at the same time it would be nice to know who they are and where they comes from, as well as what they might like to see or not see happen here.

We try to provide information through the Sprotbrough Arrow for those who are not online, but for those who are, why not become a regular FOLLOWER of this Blog?  We would welcome more comments about the blogs, both positive and negative if that is the case.  We would like suggestions, reports of sightings, whatever you feel able to offer.

The Don Gorge is your amenity.  It can be improved or it can be neglected.  Our group of conservation volunteers work hard every other Tuesday to maintain the woodland, the river bank and the surrounding area and we know it is appreciated, but it would be nice to be able to tell them that our Followers think so too.

We currently only have six listed - it would be nice to have 600 or (6000!) all participating in the dialogue about its future.

So, please give it your consideration. 

Liz

The snowdrops are lovely at the moment and you don't have to go miles to see them. 

The Well at Lower Sprotborough 

FISH PASS & SMALL HYDRO COMPANY UP-DATE

As there have been a few rumours going round about the fish pass, I thought I had better do an up-date.
So far, we have not heard any support for the island plan and therefore hope it will fail.

As far as we are aware, there has been no progress report since my last post.  No planning application has been put in for the island and the application for the access track on the south side, which was put in last May, has not been withdrawn. 

The next meeting of the Don Gorge Strategic Partnership is due to be held on 9 March when it is possible more information will be available.   I will keep you informed of any information that comes to hand.

Liz

Do we really want to lose the picnic area between the Falls and the canal?