Save Northumberland Country Parks

SAVE NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTRY PARKS
(Plessey Woods, Bolam Lake, Druridge Bay and Tyne Riverside Country Park)
Northumberland Country Parks are under threat from Northumberland County Council proposed budget cuts to be voted on at full Council meeting on 16th February 2005.

Friends of Northumberland Country Parks via public opposition aim to present petition signature to County Councillors demonstrating their need to oppose the proposed budget cuts of 50,000 in country park warden staff costs, reducing staff levels by 50\%. This will result in no full time cover in any of the Countys four country parks and will inevitably affect how the parks are managed and maintained. This will in turn have a direct impact on and the potential loss of protected wildlife and flora/fauna habitats, result in a less safe and secure environment for visitors with an increased risk of vandalism and park misuse. Innovative learning opportunities will also be lost without the staff who currently deliver excellent schools educational and activities programme which attracts over 8,500 visitors annually and generates an income of 17, 230 annually.
The opportunity to build upon the excellent facilities and increase revenue, rather than slash costs and run down public facilities, does not appear to have been considered by the County Council. Accepting that each park currently attracts over 100,000 visitors annually the potential impact on tourism to these facilities is clearly foreseeable in the absence of a full time member of staff at each park.
Key priorities for Northumberland Country Parks as detailed within Northumberlands 2010 Community Strategy, Northumberlands Cultural Strategy 2002/2008 and Blue Skies Northumberlands Tourisms Objectives and Implementation Plan 2003, gives a commitment to enhance standards of countryside management, improve access to the countryside for all and to prevent a decline in the diversity of wildlife habitats and species .
Lets make sure the County Council delivers on this commitment.
Safe our parks keep the countryside open for all.
We lobby your support to oppose the proposed cuts Register your opposition on line.

Friends of Northumberland Country Parks