Cross Hill Quarry grassland damaged by mountain bikers

The Lancashire Wildlife Trust (LWT) said wildflower grassland at Cross Hill Quarry nature reserve has been severely damaged after being repeatedly dug up to create jumps for mountain bikes.

The area, which is next to Brungerly Park, just outside of Clitheroe, was once a bustling quarry providing stone for local buildings and is now home to an array of wildlife.

Cross Hill Quarry grassland damaged by mountain bikers (Image: Kim Coverdale) Thanks to the wildflowers on the ground, wildlife can thrive. Now, the wildflower patch has suffered significant damage due to areas of the quarry floor being dug up to create mountain bike jumps, potentially threatening the future of this important habitat.

Kim Coverdale, East Lancashire reserves officer at The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside, said public access at the site may have to be restricted to allow the area to recover.

She said: “The quarry floor at Cross Hill Quarry is a rare surviving example of a species-rich limestone grassland, but over the past few months areas of it have twice been dug up to create bike jumps.

“This causes substantial damage to this important habitat, and we may now even have to restrict public access to the area to allow it to recover. Our staff and volunteers work extremely hard to care for and preserve the nature reserve, and both the damage and potentially having to stop people from being able to enjoy it up close is really disappointing.”

Cross Hill Quarry grassland damaged by mountain bikers (Image: Kim Coverdale)

The wildflower meadows are filled with orchids including common twayblade, bee and marsh orchids and common spotted orchids along with quaking grass and lady’s bedstraw. The wildlife supports numerous important pollinators such as hoverflies and bees. Cross Hill Quarry is well-known for its rich insect population.

Cross Hill Quarry’s diverse habitats also support birds such as willow warblers, blackcaps, nuthatches, blue tits and great tits. Kestrels can be spotted hovering over the open areas along with bats.

Cross Hill Quarry grassland damaged by mountain bikers (Image: Kim Coverdale)

Kim said: “A number of young people have been observed using the jumps and in the area with spades, and whilst we are quite sure they are not intentionally harming the wildflower habitat, the damage is now significant.

“Nationally, we have seen a 97 per cent decrease in our wildflower meadows since the 1930s so it really is important that we treasure and protect these beautiful habitats and protect the diversity

“Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is unlawful to uproot any wild plant without permission from the landowner or occupier, and whilst we have no desire to go to such lengths, we just appeal to people to love and care for our nature reserves, and to pass on this message to anyone who enjoys cycling in the area.”

It is not the first time the trust has issued an appeal to the public, urging them to look after the reserve. 

A statement was also released in July, complaining of bike jumps that had been created.

The trust said “countless other important species” could have been lost as a result of the digging.

It said it wants people to enjoy the reserve but added that this needs to be done responsibly.