A project to relocate reptiles at a Walney beauty spot has caused concern among those who fear for the resident wildlife.
Gorse bushes on land next to where Biggar Bank Road meets Ocean Road, on Walney, are being cleared to make new habitats for slow-worms which were captured at the Barrow Waterfront development site.
Cumbria County Council has been cutting away the bushes on Barrow Borough Council owned-land at Tummer Hill to create a new home for the protected reptile species.
Residents who walk in the area were alarmed to see the site being cleared, fearing for nesting bird and others animals at the wildlife haven. The worry is they will not return when the vegetation and shelter is gone.
Islanders have complained to both the county council and the borough council about the work, which they knew nothing about until the diggers turned up.
The area was hit by a fire last month and the county council says this is why work was delayed for 10 days. But the work is to resume, with the county council saying ecologists have been consulted.
Walney resident Maureen Slater, one of those who got on the phone to the councils, said: "I was very concerned about the timing with the nesting birds. There are all sorts of birds and wildlife on there. All you can hear is bird song. It's such a lovely area that has been untouched for generations, where will the wildlife go?
No-one notified us it was happening. It's madness to put the slow worms there, we have two nature reserves on the island."
A Cumbria County Council spokesman said: “As part of the Barrow Waterfront Project the county council is committed to improving an area of outstanding habitat for species such as reptiles and birds. To do this we have been working on a site, owned by Barrow Borough Council at Biggar Bank, Walney. This conservation work has to be done at this time of year, when the reptiles are active, as they become dormant in winter making it an impossible task to protect and or move them.
"Part of this essential conservation work is to prepare this site and this involves the clearance of some gorse. It is essential that as part of this we manage any potential impact on nesting birds. To achieve this we have had a qualified ecologist on site at all times assessing any gorse that would need to be removed, ensuring it was safe to do so, and avoiding disturbing any nesting birds. This assessment work is ongoing as part of the project.
In addition to our planned works, unfortunately a fire was started by an unknown party or individual which was a criminal offence. This has caused some damage that we now need to rectify. We are disappointed by this act. We will remove the charred stumps and we will leave the area to colonise naturally to grassland. Our intention as part of this project is to leave the community with a lovely area of natural habitat which is good for a range of biodiversity including reptiles, birds and the invertebrates they feed on."
The council has said if any member of the community wants to know more about this project they can contact David Haughian, the project manager on 07824408675 or david.haughian@cumbria.gov.uk
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