Improvement to Driveway and Parking at rear of Visitor Centre, Bumble Hole Conservation Group, Dudley

This is a project to improve access and parking at the Bumble Hole Visitor Centre.

The project will allow better vehicular access, to improve and increase parking for volunteers and visitors to Bumble Hole Visitor Centre. Access for less able bodied and wheelchair users will be improved by not having to walk/wheel across mud during winter months. The area will still be ‘green’ due to seeding of grass grids for summer growth and planting beds for bulbs at rear of Visitor Centre.

The bottom part of the driveway leading to the Visitor Centre was resurfaced during works undertaken in 2023. However, the residual pathway was not resurfaced and is both potholed and uneven. The proposal is to have this area scraped and re-topped which will improve drainage. The undergrowth will be cut back to widen the driveway. The parking and turning circle at the rear of the centre becomes a mud bath in winter. The introduction of drive grids in this area will reduce this. Seeding of the location will keep it as a pleasant seating area for outdoor events, or for when the centre is in use and there is need to accommodate more visitors. The proposed improvements will enable easier erection of gazebos and event shelters. Access for elderly and disabled visitors will be improved as they will not have to traverse across mud to get to the Centre and toilet facilities. The Canal and River Trust hold regular ‘Let’s Fish’ events at Bumble Hole and the additional parking space will mean there is more room for everyone.