FARMERS near Bridgwater have worked to re-open a drove which provides essential access to moorland, after it was rendered totally impassable after the winter floods.

With the help of Natural England and Defra, farmers secured funding to renovate Knapp Lane, at Curry Moor, to reestablish an access route into the area to use the land for haymaking, silaging and grazing.

As well as being a working farm, the area is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its internationally important numbers of overwintering wading birds, such as lapwing and snipe.

One farmer from the area, Richard Kearn, agreed to be the lead applicant for the collective application which resulted in a £74,700 grant to support the works.

Working with Natural England’s local adviser, Claire Stride, and the FRF team, the solution was for the farmers to submit an innovative ‘communal’ application to the Fund.

Mr Kearn said: “The drove repair was a significant project because the total length of the drove is about 2,262 metres and a regular stream of heavy lorry loads of stone was needed to repair the worst of the damage caused by the flooding.

“I would like to say thank-you to anyone inconvenienced during the works for their patience and also thank Claire Stride and Natural England for all their support.”

Farming Minister George Eustice said: “The local community has really got behind this project to get livestock back on Curry and Hay Moor where they will continue to support the management of one of our most valuable natural habitats.

“Our Farming Recovery Fund is helping hundreds of farmers across the country to repair damage caused by last year’s floods and get their businesses back on track.”