“IMPORTANT work” to protect a historic Weston-Super-Mare landmark will see some public footpaths closed.

Walkers will be unable to access certain routes around Weston Woods as work gets underway around Worlebury Camp Hillfort.

Worlebury Camp is an Iron Age hillfort that occupies 10 hectares of land on Worlebury Hill in Weston.
Designated as a scheduled monument since 1915, it is a nationally important archaeological site due to its rare coastal location, size and considerable defences.

Visitors to the walking and horseriding spot are being warned to expect restricted access and diversions to footpaths and bridleways next to the hillfort between September 22 and 26.

No one will be allowed to pass in either direction between 8am and 5pm when work is being carried out for health and safety reasons due to the nature of machinery involved.

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Worlebury Camp Hillfort is listed on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk register.

The work is being carried out by North Somerset Council’s (NSC) Heritage and Design team thanks to a £32,000 grant from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), facilitated by the Rural Payments Agency.

Councillor John Crockford-Hawley, NSC’s heritage champion and the ward member, said: “An element of the work taking place will be to remove logs and brash on the hillfort. Some of this is there partly due to previous management of the woodland, including essential Ash Dieback works.

“We hope to see more grassland on the hillfort and an increase in biodiversity as a result, with the ultimate goal being the removal of the hillfort from the Heritage at Risk register.

“The material will be stacked neatly elsewhere in the woods, outside the boundary of the scheduled monument, to create habitat piles. Some of the smaller material will be chipped and removed from site.

“Grass and bramble on the summit of the hillfort will be cut back, allowing a specialist geophysical survey of the monument to take place. The results of this survey will help to inform an updated management plan.

“Throughout next week, access to the hillfort will be prevented to ensure safety due to the machinery being used. However, the work will take place on weekdays meaning unrestricted access will be remain at weekends.

“There will be signs in place so people know where they can and can’t go, and I urge people visiting the woods to read and follow the signage.

“We don’t take Public Rights of Way closures lightly as we realise the inconvenience and disruption that it inevitably causes. I’m pleased that teams from across the council are working together – the council’s principal archaeologist, tree officers and the Public Rights of Way team – to limit disruption to the local environment, local residents and everyone who enjoys using the woods for recreation. Every effort is being made to carry out the works on time.”

For more information about Worlebury Camp Hillfort, including the management plan, visit www.n-somerset.gov.uk/hillfort. An interactive Public Rights of Way map is also available on the council’s website at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/prow.