It only takes a few people to use a passing area before the vegetation is destroyed and becomes unrecoverable.
“Ensuring everyone’s safety is our top priority and we’re asking everyone to adhere to government guidelines around social distancing. Our top advice for walkers when encountering others is to walk single file. If you need to step aside to let others pass at a safe distance, please stop, wait and then return to the path before continuing your walk.”
The National Trust says some sections of Dunwich Heath may need to be rotavated and graded with tractors to make them level if vegetation does not recover
Mr James said the area was particularly sensitive as it was home to nesting skylarks, numbers of which have declined in recent years. Rangers have installed additional signage and fencing to prevent further disturbance.
He added: “The soil on Dunwich Heath is low nutrient sandy soil, which is perfect for the acidic grasses and heath to thrive, but it’s easily damaged and takes a long time to recover. It only takes a few people to use a passing area before the vegetation is destroyed and becomes unrecoverable.
Cley Mill, on the north Norfolk coast
- Credit: Chris Bishop
“Our top advice for walkers when encountering others is to walk single file. If you need to step aside to let others pass at a safe distance, please stop, wait and then return to the path before continuing your walk.”
Mr James said the area was particularly sensitive as it was home to nesting skylarks, numbers of which have declined in recent years. Rangers have installed additional signage and fencing to prevent further disturbance.
He added: “The soil on Dunwich Heath is low nutrient sandy soil, which is perfect for the acidic grasses and heath to thrive, but it’s easily damaged and takes a long time to recover. It only takes a few people to use a passing area before the vegetation is destroyed and becomes unrecoverable.
Cley Mill, on the north Norfolk coast
- Credit: Chris Bishop
“Our top advice for walkers when encountering others is to walk single file. If you need to step aside to let others pass at a safe distance, please stop, wait and then return to the path before continuing your walk.”