Disappointing news for local users of Anton Lakes Nature Reserve, situated just north of Andover town centre as Cllr Phil North announcing the closure of the car park from 9pm Sunday 22nd November for 5 days.
Cllr Phil North posted on Facebook, the closure comes “due to the essential felling of diseased ash trees around the parking area and entrance road to Anton Lakes”
He went on to say “The site will, of course, remain open for pedestrians, who will be asked to adhere to a designated route around the car park. Similarly the field to the rear of the car park will also be closed during this time to facilitate the works.” Adding “I know this will be inconvenient for those who park up and enjoy the nature reserve, which is why we’re avoiding any weekend closures but it’s also a good opportunity to visit some of the other great nature reserves and green spaces in and around Andover like Rooksbury Mill, Watermills Park, Ladies Walk and Charlton Lakes.”
The reserve is made up of a range of habitats following its use for gravel extraction. The River Anton rises from springs within the reserve, flowing down through a series of old watercress beds, providing a habitat for the locally rare long-stalked yellow sedge. The river then flows into the lakes, which are themselves home to a variety of birds including the beautiful great-crested grebe.
Other habitats include an area of chalk grassland providing an ideal habitat for a variety of butterfly species such as the marbled white and gatekeeper and an area of wet, fen meadow plays host to an impressive colony of southern marsh orchids. Although more difficult to find, otters and water voles also use the site. (source TVBC)
