New information board goes up at Reigate Heath (From Redhill And Reigate Life)

New information board goes up at Reigate Heath

4:43pm Monday 13th February 2012 in News

A new information board has been put up at Reigate Heath to tell visitors about its history, wildlife and national significance as an area of lowland heath habitat.

The illustrated board put up by Reigate and Banstead Borough Council and showing Flanchford Road, Bonnys Road, the A25 and the Greensand Way, explains Reigate Heath's richness and diversity, including detailing how many types of snake live there, where the Bronze Age burial mounds can be seen and what creature makes the small holes in the paths.

Reigate Heath is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), one of the most important wildlife designations nationally, and a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) because it is an important example of the lowland heath habitat, including the heather and acid grassland found there.

Because of its special designation, the council has a legal duty to protect and maintain the heath.

As it is a heathland rather than a woodland, tree felling needs to take place to encourage light back to the ground for plants to grow, to reduce the nutrient build-up and stop it from scrubbing over.

The site also has a number of Bronze Age burial mounds which are about 3,000 to 5000 years old, and which have been designated Scheduled Ancient Monuments.

In the Bronze Age, the heath was largely clear of trees and around this time, a cemetery was established there with the burial mounds, or tumuli, still visible today.

People can find out more information and view the new noticeboard by visiting the Reigate Heath page at the council's website: www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk