September 2019

A successful scheme designed to prevent accidents involving deer by keeping them away from the road is being expanded.

The pilot scheme, which is in place along the A513 near Shugborough, is activated by car headlights and use sounds and lights to stop animals from approaching. In its first year of usage, it saw a 60% decrease in night-time deer collisions with vehicles.

Now, the scheme is being expanded to run along a stretch of the Penkridge Bank Road, near to the Birches Valley Forest centre. Cannock Chase AONB and Staffordshire County Council have funded the scheme, which will be in place from 1 October.

Added to this, the British Deer Society Midlands has helped fund 100 deer safety signs, warning drivers that between October and December deer crossings along the Chase become more frequent, increasing the chance of collision.

Councillor Frances Beatty, Chair of Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) said:

“The herds of deer that roam the Chase are a much-loved emblem that people enjoy seeing as part of their experience of the AONB. The installation of further deterrents to reduce conflicts between deer and road users is very welcome, and is a great example of partnership working within the AONB.”

The views around Marquis Drive Visitor Centre and at Shugborough Estate on Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty are getting better!

During this autumn and winter approximately 3.5 kilometres of overhead electricity lines from White House to Moors Gorse are being removed and placed underground as part of an ongoing £2.3 million initiative by Western Power Distribution (WPD) to enhance protected landscapes.

WPD Wayleave Specialist Donna Bayliss explains:

“This work is being funded through a regulatory-backed initiative to enhance protected landscapes by removing electrical infrastructure like overhead lines. We work closely with representatives from National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty to identify suitable sites for consideration. This has been really helpful to pinpoint high priority schemes and enable the limited funds to be spent as effectively as possible.”

The overhead line runs alongside Marquis Drive and across Forestry England’s estate towards Sheepwash Farm.  WPD has obtained all the necessary approvals for working in this sensitive area. Work started on 16 September 2019 and is due to last approximately 16 weeks. The work will be arranged to minimise disruption; however, traffic lights will be necessary for a few weeks, and visitors to the area are asked to take care around the contractor’s working areas and make allowances for any inconvenience.

This is one of two sites in the Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty which will be transformed during 2019/2020. A scheme proposed jointly by the AONB and the National Trust, will also see overhead lines at Shugborough Estate removed to restore the historic character of this iconic Grade I listed park.

Councillor Frances Beatty, Chair of the Cannock Chase AONB Partnership added:

“We are delighted to have secured the funding from Western Power Distribution for these improvements to the landscape.  The work both at White House to Sheepwash Farm and at Shugborough will improve the visual amenity in iconic parts of the AONB, in terms of public benefit, the schemes will also deliver on a large scale as being two of the most visited sites in Cannock Chase.”

Cannock Chase has had a Fixed Point Photography project since 2005 – one of the longest running in any AONB in the UK.

By taking images twice a year from the same viewpoint, and repeating the exercise year on year, it becomes possible, over time, to detect landscape changes and understand the reasons why.

The project is still run by its founder, Steve Welch, who co-ordinates the volunteer photographers.  On 2 September 2019 a refresher workshop was held at Beaudesert Farm for around 20 of our enthusiastic volunteers.  With their fantastic support, the project looks set to continue monitoring landscape change on Cannock Chase for years to come.