Morgan Glen Larkhall

Morgan Glen - Larkhall
The Glen
Larkhall
Viaduct
Someone Who Knows
Universal Connections
Gallery

 

The Morgan Glen Improvement Project

 

  • Morgan Glen

Morgan Glen is a steep sided gorge (approx. 60m deep) which lies to the south of Larkhall on the river Avon. It includes habitats as diverse as semi-natural deciduous woodland, scrub, grassland and a small area of marsh.

Morgan Glen is located next to a Special area of Conservation, designated under the European Habitats Directive, and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). There have been some speculation that Morgan Glen may become a Local Nature Reserve

  • Project Background

The community of Larkhall have been using Morgan's Glen as an area to rest and play for many years. Recently, the Glen has become an area of abuse. Its is being used as a dumping ground for rubbish of all kinds, from old car wreckage to household furniture to trade and building waste.

Members of the Larkhall community decided that they will not stand for the abuse of this local site of natural beauty. A working group was established consisting of community members, local Police, and representatives of South Lanarkshire Council. This working group set about trying to alleviate the problems in the Glen.

  • Stage One - The Clean Up

The first stage was to remove the huge amounts of rubbish in the glen. Funding required to pay the specialist contractors that were required to remove the large amounts of heavy refuse from the depths of the glen. Funding was obtained from environmental agency, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and from Landfill Tax Credits from a local landfill operator William Patterson.

Specialist haulage equipment was brought to the top of the glen and the clean-up began. The entire clean-up operation took approximately 3 months, with frequent heavy rain hampering removal of waste due to the steepness of the slope into the glen.

  • Stage Two - The Footpath Survey

There are still remnants of an old footpath network within the glen dating from the 1950's. However, these footways are in a poor state of repair and are extremely dangerous. The famous "hunner steps" (hundered steps) are a long stretch of steps leading to the bottom of the glen. Although they are called the hunner steps the steps actually number ****. It is planned that these steps will be replaced and the new network design will be approved by the local community before implemented.

A local company was commissioned to survey the condition of the existing footpaths within the glen and to assess the potential for a new improved network of paths. The new network of footpaths will allow better access to the glen for all including wheelchair access.

  • Stage Three - Education

Once the clean-up is completed the next stage is to educate the local community about proper waste disposal and the illegality of fly-tipping. South Lanarkshire Council offers a free special uplift service for most large items of domestic waste. Therefore, there is no need to dump waste in the glen.

In fairness, the majority of the residents in Larkhall do appreciate the beauty and importance of the glen to Larkhall's heritage.

  • Stage Four - Enforcement

Starthclyde Police have been partners in this project from the very beginning and have an excellent track record of enforcing environment legislation, especially relating to fly-tipping.

Once the education process has begun it is hoped that the dumping will stop. Unfortunately, it is inevitable that the dumping will not stop completely. Strathclyde Police in partner with South Lanarkshire Council will enforce fly-tipping legislation and it is hope that a few high profile prosecutions will soon put a stop to illegal dumping in the area. Enforcement is not a last resort it is, unfortunately, a valuable part of the education process.

  • What happens next?

The community within Larkhall must take some responsibility for the up keep of the glen. In partnership with South Lanarkshire Council, Strathclyde Police it is planned that the local volunteers become guardians of the glen, reporting any dumping activity and ensuring the glen is respected at all times.

Partnership is the key to any community and the future of the glen lies firmly in the hand of the community of Larkhall to be cherished and protected for generations to come.

                                               

Morgan Glen - Larkhall | The Glen | Larkhall | Viaduct | Someone Who Knows | Universal Connections | Gallery

34402

Stuart & Kirsty
stumca@hotmail.com