We are working on a proposal with Durham AAP, Durham County Council and Framwellgate Moor Parish Council for The Carrs Nature Reserve in Pity Me. The site is 20 acres of ponds, meadow and countryside with a lot of wildlife.

The project involves putting in a new / renewed path around the outside of part of the site from Bishops Way round to the NWL entrance and then round to the wagonway and Meadows development – 650 metres in total. 

It will make it far easier for disabled people, those in wheelchairs etc and the elderly to access the site and include a couple of viewing points and seating.

We would also be scraping off two of the pond areas which have filled in / dried out and carrying out some undergrowth cutting where trees have seeded in the wrong places and are drying out the site, changing the habitat. 

This will provide ecology improvements and allow people to see more wildlife from the path.

We are working to tight timescales as we are keen to give people an alternative place to go for a walk, view wildlife, see family and friends after being stuck inside during lockdown.

Please email me at mark.wilkes@durham.gov.uk with your support and any comments, which will help in securing funding and getting the message out.

Particularly keen to hear from anyone who struggles at the moment to access the site for mobility reasons or knows someone who will benefit from the proposals.