Nea Meadows Nature Reserve Churned Up by Vandals, Councilman Condemns Act

Motorcyclists damaged Nea Meadows. The Highcliffe nature reserve was harmed. It happened earlier this month. Andy Martin, the council vice-chair, said they made “a right mess.” He is annoyed by the disrespect.

Dirtbikes caused the ground damage at Nea Meadows. This land is key and needs protection. He is angry that people ruined the ground, using dirtbikes or something similar.

The damage was in a small area, and will likely recover quickly. Martin stressed it was about principle. It is a nature place. Someone made circular tracks on the grass with a motorbike. Residents were upset too; they hate seeing damage to the reserve.

This isn’t the first issue there. People left mess in the woods in September 2024. Some kids built a makeshift den, using chairs from the bowling club.

Martin and Adam Sofianos, the council chairman, cleaned it up. They filled fifteen bags with trash. The trash included vapes, bottles, and crisp packets.

Litter blocked the Bure Brook stream. People put rocks in it to walk across. The council now wants regular patrols and will expand CCTV to the bowling club.

Police did not get reports for either event. Teenagers caused one issue. The schools were spoken to, but they didn’t report the issue then, agreeing it wouldn’t happen again.

Now, they will report similar issues as damage to the environment. Martin ended by discussing the local area, saying it is a special place. The council will always work to protect it.