Pupils sign up to stop woodland fly-tipping

Jan 26 2009

A group of primary school pupils have joined the fight to protect one of Scotland's hidden natural treasures from the damage caused by fly-tipping.

Stonehouse and Newfield primary pupils have joined other members of the community who want to put an end to the fly-tipping that is endangering the wonderful wildlife in the area and causing a blight on the landscape.

The busy road bridge across the Cander Water, near Stonehouse, passes over the steep, wooded gorges of the Cander and Avon Waters which have remained largely unchanged for more than 6000 years. These protected woodlands are a direct link with the Caledonian Forest that once covered Scotland and contain many thousands of animal and plant species; many of them now threatened.

The ancient woodlands of the Clyde, Avon and Nethan Valleys are unique and irreplaceable wildlife habitats and together they form one of the largest and most important areas of ancient woodland in the whole of Scotland. They are significant not just locally but internationally. And Avondale is one of 11 sites in the Clyde Valley which are designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Scottish Natural Heritage which is responsible for Scotland's SSSIs has, over recent years, spent thousands of pounds removing fly-tipped rubbish from the area.

But, despite its unique heritage, the woodland continues to be damaged by fly-tipping, often thrown from the Cander Bridge.

So the two local schools have become involved in a project to raise awareness of this problem, with the help of South Lanarkshire Council's Ranger Service. The pupils helped design colourful panels for the bridge to encourage people to respect the woodland with the special message - 'Please don't fly tip Avondale Wood'.

Holly McGowan, 12, from Stonehouse Primary School, said: "We are all upset and very angry with the people who dump their rubbish over our woodland gorge. We felt we had to do something about it and I hope our message at the bridge will make these people stop throwing their rubbish away."

And Newfield Primary pupil Ryan Trodden, 12, added: "We felt bad because people from all over were dumping rubbish in our woods. When visitors come they will think it was us from the village and that would send out a bad message about us."

South Lanarkshire Council's Roads Service funded the project by paying the costs for the fabrication and installation of the signs and Scottish Natural Heritage has twice funded the removal of fly-tipping from beneath the Cander Bridge.

Councillor Hamish Stewart, the depute chair of the council's Community Resources Committee and Councillor John Murray, the depute chair of the Enterprise Resources Committee have added their support to the young pupils when they joined them in the promotion of their project. Councillor Stewart said: "This is a wonderful example of local children and members of the community coming together to help protect their environment and I would like to congratulate them all on their initiative.

"I would also like to remind everyone that, in South Lanarkshire, there is no need whatsoever for fly-tipping of domestic waste. The council provides a free special uplift for bulky domestic waste - all it takes is a phone call to the One-Call-Does-It-All number - 01698 717777.

"We would ask anyone who witnesses littering or fly-tipping to ring that number immediately and report the matter. It would also be helpful if a vehicle registration number could be reported."

The council also provides six waste and recycling centres across South Lanarkshire where anyone can dispose of their recycling and domestic waste.

South Lanarkshire Council would like to thank Stonehouse Heritage Group, Stonehouse Development Trust, Stonehouse Community Council, the pupils and staff of Newfield and Stonehouse Primary Schools and Scottish Natural Heritage for their assistance in the project.

For more information about Avondale SSSI or the Clyde Valley Woodlands, contact Rose Clarkson, Scottish Natural Heritage, on 01555 665928.