Some residents may know that the Ragged Grove Woodland is located behind the houses of the even numbers, in Holmwood Ave and borders onto Riddlesdown Open Space. There are three land owners of this woodland; Croydon Council, a private land owner and the John Whitgift Foundation (JWF).
Access to this woodland is from either Public Footpath 24 (beside 67 Mitchley Hill), and also Public Footpath 50 (0) between 46 & 48 Holmwood Ave. These Public Footpaths do not go through this woodland – they either stop short, or divert away and ‘permissive’ footpaths have been created over the decades through the woodland.
About 18 months ago, JWF fenced off the permissive paths through this woodland in their ownership, to try and stop the public from entering the woodland, because of the danger with ash die back. There is the risk of these trees falling onto the public. However the chest-pale fencing has been broken down, or moved aside, by the public in many places and the notices erected have been ignored.
The RRA are concerned as to what is happening here, with the public ignoring the signs and fencing across the paths, that Phil Thomas from the RRA, and Ward Cllr Lynne Hale recently met on site with the Chief Executive of the JWF, Roisha Hughes.
Roisha Hughes explained the situation to both the RRA and Ward Cllr, that they are currently, on the advice from an arboriculturist report, waiting to see what happens with the trees affected by ash die back. They do have a quote for undertaking some tree works, but are not proceeding with this at the moment due to the high cost, and they also need the necessary authorisations to carry out any tree work, and possibly felling. There is also a large oak tree which has lost some large limbs onto the permissive path, which needs work on it.
The JWF have asked that the public to please stay out of this woodland for the moment and to take the alternative paths/routes. These are from Public Footpath 50 (0) between 46 & 48 Holmwood Ave, to turn left immediately after the gardens and stay left until the open grass area rather than trying to go straight on.
If entering Public Footpath 24 (beside 67 Mitchley Hill) to stay right on the Public Footpath at the end of the garden of No.67 and not to turn left into Ragged Grove. They will be asking the Council soon, if they can put a sign-up on their land behind 67 Mitchley Hill to say the permissive path ahead is closed.
We hope residents/the public, keep clear of this woodland for the moment, for their own safety. The RRA will stay in contact with the JWF and Croydon Council about this.
