Local mountain bikers have joined Malvern Hills Trust staff to clear vegetation from a popular bridleway.
On Saturday morning, volunteers gathered on the eastern slopes of the Worcestershire Beacon ready to improve access along a well-used path.
The sweeping contour path from the Wyche Road northwards towards St Ann's Well is a popular walking and cycling route however access was being impeded by overgrown vegetation. The wonderful work of the volunteers has improved sight-lines along sections of this bridleway and created more passing areas for visitors travelling along here.
Beck, Community and Conservation Officer said ‘We’d like to thank all the volunteers who gave up their Saturday morning to put something back into the Hills we know and love. In the winter sunshine, everyone got stuck into opening up access for visitors, whether they’re on foot or on wheels.’
Since 2018, local cyclists have offered their time and energy to improve access for fellow riders and other visitors to the Malverns. The Hills are a popular place to cycle with over 55km of bridleways crossing the landscape. Due to the sensitive habitats and species found here, and as is the case in the wider countryside, cyclists are welcome on bridleways. Signposted routes and maps and guides provide more information on where these bridleways are and where cycling is permitted. These can be downloaded from the Trust's website or hard copies can be collected from Malvern Tourist Information Centre.
Beck added "We all have an impact on the green spaces that we visit. We would like to encourage all visitors to help us care for this landscape whether that's by taking your litter home with you, keeping your dog on a lead near livestock or only riding on bridleways rather than creating your own cycle route. Together we can conserve and protect the rare habitats, wildlife and archaeology found here for future generations."
Volunteers play an important role in looking after the Malvern Hills and Commons with conservation tasks and activities throughout the year.