By Joe Locker, Local Democracy Reporter
Broxtowe councillors have promised to help Attenborough Nature Reserve reopen a popular wildlife viewing platform which has been closed due to safety reasons.
The ‘Tower Hide’, from which visitors can watch wildlife at the reserve, was shut after an inspection found the staircase needed “urgent” repairs.
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, which runs the reserve, says it had planned to do the work next year until the inspection found it was more urgent than expected.
The costs of the work are not yet known.
A spokesperson for the trust said: “Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust has recently invested in significant repairs to the raised wildlife watching hide at Attenborough Nature Reserve – known as the Tower Hide – but a subsequent inspection has identified that repairs to the staircase, originally planned and budgeted for next year, are now urgent.
“To keep visitors safe, we have decided to close the hide whilst we work with contractors to establish the costs and schedule the work.
“We recognise that the closure is frustrating for visitors, but we’re sure people will appreciate that we have to put safety first.
“As a charity we rely upon the support of our members, donors and visitors. Donations to support habitat management and maintenance of facilities can do so via the donation point in the nature centre or our website.”
The nature reserve is supported by Broxtowe Borough Council, and local Labour councillors say they will do what they can to support the trust.
Councillors Helen Faccio, Tyler Marsh and Pauline Smith said in a joint statement: “It is unfortunate that the tower hide has had to be closed, but if it is deemed unsafe, there is no other option until repairs are carried out.
“We are in regular contact with the Wildlife Trust about various issues at the nature reserve and will do whatever we can to support them in making sure these repairs can be funded and carried out as soon as possible.”
The hide offers a 360 degree view of the surrounding landscape, from which birds including Bittern and Warblers.
