Great View from A42

Penny Wilkinson and Simon Evans of The National Forest Company put the finishing touches to an information point in the newly refurbished lay-by on the A42 near Ashby De La Zouch.

Motorists can break their journey travelling north through The National Forest and enjoy the new vantage point overlooking maturing native woodland of oak, ash and birch. As well as finding out more about the development of the Forest, attractions to visit and where to find accommodation, there is the chance of spotting kestrel, woodpecker and other species of woodland birds and mammals in the nearby woodland.

No-one driving past the lay-by on the A42 could fail to notice the eyecatching 3.5 metre high poles branded The National Forest. The decking, street furniture and timber rails, made of oak grown in The National Forest, give the pull-in area a very distinctive feel, and the Forest context will be reinforced as the surrounding trees grow.

The work is part of a planned programme of environmental improvements in The National Forest, following a study by the Birmingham office of consultants Atkins on behalf of the Highways Agency. Other improvements have included National Forest branding and the installation of new street furniture in the lay-by on the northbound carriageway of the A38 at Alrewas and one hectare of new tree planting beside the M1 as it passes through the Forest in Leicestershire.

Simon Evans, Chief Officer, Land Use, of the National Forest Company, said: “We are delighted to be working with the Highways Agency and Atkins to achieve more Forest-related planting along prominent routes through the Forest. The partnership enables us to target key Forest gateways, raising the profile of the Forest both for visitors and those who live and work here, as well as all who travel along these major routes.”