Woodlands Avenue Wayleave sleeper bridge

The Superintendent of Epping Forest has advised that the wooden sleeper bridge at the rear of Woodlands Avenue - near Blake Hall Road - is not to be replaced now that it is nearing the end of its service life. Following a cost analysis, it is deemed to be of limited public benefit and will not be replaced following demolition.

I enjoy walking along the Woodlands Avenue wayleave, crossing the bridge and walking back through Reservoir Wood along a more central track, and it will still be possible to do the same stroll without using the bridge by walking just a bit further west. The slight disadvantage will be that this brings the user just a bit closer to the disturbance of Blake Hall Road, and the accompanying rubbish that accumulates on the slopes below the broken fence. It is not a big deal, but perhaps illustrates the management's lack of concern over access, ease of access and ambience in the Forest. Money, of course - but as long as the area around the Temple is kept tidy for visitors...

Reservoir Wood, adjacent to the stream, has already been considerably messed up by the inappropriate deposition of the spoil from the dredging of that stream with no attempt at landscaping - again an illustration of disregard for what the place looks like and feels like. Have you ever seen illustrations of what might be considered true "wildwood" looks like? Now, the idea of wildwood might sound ecologically sound, but as far as how it looks, how it feels and how accessible it is to human beings, I don't think it's very nice. Disturbingly, a lot of Wanstead Park is beginning to look like that! A far cry, perhaps, from the various landscapings that have taken place over the centuries to create the "parkland" that Wanstead Park - we are told - is supposed to represent?

Paul Ferris, June 16th 2010