As a group, we are proposing Norwich City Council removes these hazardous wire fences at Kett’s cave, NR3 1NH. They are historic and serve no purpose in my opinion. I have been told by local residents they have been crushed down to the ground since at least the 70’s. We found a skeleton of a poor hedgehog that appeared to have got trapped and entangled in the wire. In the winter we saw footprints from the muntjac that had to navigate themselves around all these oddly placed fences boxing in nature.
This park is used regularly by local dog owners who worry that their dogs will run over the fences and get their paws stuck in the fences that are down to the ground.
In 2004 Danielle a local resident hurt herself on an old post, the metal fencing had been removed but the posts remained, that’s what she impaled her knee on. She successfully sued the council and received cosmetic surgery at their expense to reduce scar size. Sadly the council have only resolved just that small area of fencing.
In Summer 2020 a local Granddad hurt himself on the basketball fences. He was playing catch with his grandchild and ripped the top part of his finger off to the first knuckle. The council did come out and remove the problem.
I found out these stories from just a few casual chats while out litter picking.
Norwich City Council has told us that they simply don’t have the funds to remove these fences. Their solution was for us to set up as a constituted group with a bank account, then work with Norwich Fringe Project to get them removed. We have jumped through that hoop!
The next hoop is to host a council consultation. This is to make sure none of the wider community objects to us getting these removed as a group. I won’t write my personal views on having to jump through this hoop!! Hopefully, it won’t be massively time-consuming.
Getting these fences removed is going to need a lot of local people volunteering. If you are able to volunteer please comment or email us to get involved. Even light litter picking or making drinks on the day would be a massive help in getting our park safe. This needs to be done before March when the bird nesting session starts again.
Please feel free to comment directly on this blog post.
Blog by Liz
36 thoughts on “Dangerous broken wire fences at Kett’s cave- volunteers needed”
I am happy to help! Will depend on when it will be done as to how much use I can be as I’m recovering from an injury which has reduced my mobility but I’d love to be able to help and get something done!
I am in support of the fencing being removed. It serves no purpose and is only a barrier to the enjoyment of the area and habitat maintenance for wildlife.
Good on you all!
When the time comes I will try to muck in!
This eyesore definitely needs to be removed. I am afraid I am unable to offer to help as I am 83 years old with some mobility problems.
I support this – it will remove and eyesore and help wildlife corridors to be safe and emerge more easily.
I may be able to help although timings and dates depend on my availability
Fences should be removed. I definitely support this. They no longer serve any purpose. And are extremely dangerous to all wild life aswell as children and families, even household animals ie cats. Wildlife like hedgehogs should be able to roam freely.
I support the fences being removed and will help out if I am free in the day for sure.
Thanks
I support this, sadly I can’t help with the removal, but hope it all goes well.
Happy for the fences to be removed, they no longer serve a purpose and are harmful to wildlife.
Happy to get involved, those fences are dangerous to all users of the park, I hurt myself clearing rubbish from the bank. Will also bring cake!!
Very happy for fences to go. I visit and enjoy the space maybe 2x year. Havecfonated plantscto your sales. Bit too engaged with TSA and farmshare to volunteer too.
The fences should be removed if they serve no purpose. Happy to help if possible.
Bit ridiculous the council haven’t just removed them already tbh, they serve no purpose whatsoever. Should definitely be removed.
Taking down the fences is, apart from being a pressing health and safety issue, a necessary step towards unlocking the tremendous potential of the park. Once the fences are removed it will open up so much more space for people to enjoy and for wildlife to thrive.
My daughter and her friends play here, fencing definitely needs removing.
I’m a “very” local tradesman with tools, I’m happy to help but will probably only be available at the weekend, let me know when you have dates 👍
These fences serve no purpose whatsoever and are now just a hazard to people and wildlife so I fully support their removal.
I could spare some time to help, depending on when it was happening..
I live 5 minutes from Kett’s Cave and we go to the park everyday. We would love to see the fences to be removed. Depending on the day and time, I would be happy to help.
I am in support of the wire fences being removed. This will enhance the area and reduce the danger and risk to both the general public and wildlife. Local Resident. Marlborough Road.
Id like to see these fences removed simply to allow the collection of the litter trapped behind them and it’s a required step in opening up the orchard area.
I support these fences being removed. I’ve been left with permanent scarring on my left knee since my accident back in 2004 and I’m not the only person to have been injured by these posts, the others just didn’t pursue their legal claims like I did. The council would save money by removing these rather than waiting for the next awful accident!
To improve nature corridors and wildlife access to green spaces these fences and animal traps must go!
What’s the point in broken fencing being left lying about like that, it is senseless and needs to be cleared away before someone or something is seriously of fatally injured. They do not serve a purpose any longer, get them gone!
Definite remove the fencing. They are an eye sore, a hazard and dreadful for the local environment. Happy to help
I’m happy for the fencing to be removed. Subject to work commitments and caring responsibilities I may be able to help remove some of the fencing.
Fully support the removal of these ridiculous fences, to help the recovery of nature in the area and improve the aesthetics. Happy to help too (although a health condition may limit me somewhat)
These remains of fences are ugly, dangerous and should be removed.
I am happy for the fencing to be removed and really appreciate the work of these volunteers who often step in when council funds won’t stretch to tasks such as this. Not only are they an eyesight they are also dangerous to wildlife and two dogs who regularly get walked on the heath
the fences are a danger to children and animals who are just there to enjoy the open space , they should of been removed a long time ago.
I can’t believe that anyone has to prove that this needs tidying! If a group of volunteers have agreed to remove this and improve the area, the powers that be should bite your (working) hands off. I wish you the best of luck and thank you for giving your time….
I think the fences should be removed and I will be happy to help.
It’s just very short sighted to not take them down if they are broken and dangerous as you stand to be sued again and therefore costing alot more than if you just took it down yourself! Also health and safety is still a thing and children playing there imagine they trip and fall on the broken fence part of the fence could go straight through their heart killing them I don’t like being morbid but it’s the end result of broken fencing…. The council have a legal responsibility to do it themselves
I support the fences being taken down they are very dangerous and I’m surprised there is not more urgency from health and safety officials at the council.
They look bad, they’re dangerous and they need removing!
My husband and I can help! It would good to get rid of the fences, for the safety of wildlife and the kids!
That doesn’t looks safe at all! I agree it would be good to get rid of them!
Would be happy to help, let me know when you have dates. Thanks for all your perseverance!
I fully support the fences being removed, to save people and wildlife from further accidents and injuries. I am unable to help but wish you all the best on your journey to get these removed.