Walking the length of the Ruscombe Brook

On Saturday around 20 of us set off to walk the length of the brook from the Lawns opposite Tricorn House where the brook runs into the canal to the spring heads in the Ruscombe valley.

Photos 1 and 2 are the Lawns starting out and the Fire Officer explaining the precautions they take not to contaminate the brook.

The photos in this blog entry are a collection of shots along the way - we had a coffee at a house just by the roundabout near the beginning and also had various people tell stories along the way - we also met up along the way with the duty fire officer and several householders and land owners who gave us access to their gardens and the brook.

Photos 3, 4 and 5 tramping through jungle of Hamwell Leaze - crossing the brook and areas of very damp land.

It was a brilliant way to get to help folk understand this very varied watercourse - parts were inaccessible as they run through gardens and parts are culverted - we were also able to pick up on problem areas...

Photos 6 and 7: somebody washing car - soapy water goes direct into brook - and several places where garden clippings and grass cuttings are right close to the brook - heavy rain washes this into the brook and leads to blockages and poorer water quality.

Many places we stopped to discuss and learn more about everything from flow forms to road gullies.

Photos 8 and 9: Group looking at a possible blocked culvert leading to river on road at Puckshole and a talk about flowforms from Simon Charter at a site near Puckshole.

At the next RBAG meeting we will look more closely at what we have found - and also hope to organise some walks for members of the public - meanwhile I've written again in support of opening up the footpath access at the Fire Station - see part of letter below to the Town Council:

On Saturday over 20 of Ruscombe Brook Action Group members and others walked the length of Ruscombe Brook meeting various folk along the way including local landowners and the Fire service. We sadly wont be able to meet your deadline of 9th April for a route for the Walking Festival but do hope to organise a number of further walks.

One issue arose again: the access behind the fire station to Hamwell Leaze. I mentioned this to SDC and she said you are looking again at access and footpath issues - I would love it if this could be included.

While I am aware some residents further along have reservations about increased vandalism if the site was opened up, I consider that increased pedestrian traffic could in fact reduce crime. As I am sure you know Cainscross ward is the highest concentration of housing in the District and has the lowest number of green spaces. The site is on the edge of the Town and is very underused by local residents, many of whom I am surprised to learn, do not even know the space exists.

I would support a through route from the Fire Station under the arches through to Hamwell Leaze. This would also be a useful link for many who at the moment have a long route round. All the best - Philip

Cllr. Philip Booth,
Stroud District councillor for the Randwick, Ruscombe and Whiteshill ward,