Derby - Friar Gate Station, Wildlife Haven

Friar Gate Station, Derby was closed down during the `Beeching` cuts of the 1960s.

As people and trains moved out, wildlife moved in.

Various proposals have been made for development of the site, but not one has come to anything. While I`m not claiming that the area has existed in a hermetically-sealed bubble since that time - there are periodic complaints of fly-tipping, vandalism etc - you can readily see that nature has been gradually taking over for 50-60 years.

Technically, this is a brownfield site - it`s previous use was industrial. It`s a half-truth at best that brownfield sites automatically have no environmental merit, but in this case, when the last train to run along the tracks did so decades ago, the `brownfield` designation is in any case meaningless.

A number of rare/unusual species have been found there, and 23 species of butterfly have been recorded at the site.  

A Facebook group has been set up "to promote the site, hopefully helping to conserve at least some of it for wildlife, and as a recreational and educational asset to the community, to be a means of recording species" etc.

If you`re on FB, please visit their page `Old Friar Gate Station, Derby, Wildlife Haven`, It is a closed group but anyone can view the photos members have posted of wildlife seen at the station. If you like what you see, please might consider applying to join !

I joined recently and I`ve found the members friendly, down-to-earth and helpful.  Give it a go, it costs nothing and it`s well worthwhile !


****I had intended to post some photos provided by other members of the group here, but have had problems doing so. 

I`ll try again later, but if all else fails I`ll share a few to my FB page over the coming week. ****