Who are the Gravel Pits Action Group?
The Gravel Pits Action Group, or GPAG for short, was formed in 2003 to manage the Darcy Lever Gravel Pits, an important wildlife site in Bolton. The group is entirely run by volunteers and works in partnership with the Bolton Council.
What are the Darcy Lever Gravel Pits?
The Gravel Pits as we know them, began life over 40 years ago when aggregates were extracted for use in constructing the A666 (St Peters Way), Bolton's connection to the motorway network. Now the Gravel Pits are 27-acres of majestic beauty and its ponds and woodlands are one of the best places in the region for wildlife.
Why is the site important for wildlife?
Because of its importance for wildlife, the site has been designated a Grade 1 Site of Biological Importance, and as such is a haven for many species of flora and fauna, each having found its own particular niche. The combination of different habitats gives the Gravel Pits a unique character that enables 18 species of dragonfly and all 5 UK species of amphibian, (including the famous great crested newt) to breed on the site. Many species of mammal are there too, including bats, foxes and even the beautiful roe deer. It is vitally important
Why is management work required?
The management theme in the Gravel Pits is “Welfare not Conservation”, and that is because the site is totally man-made. We have created the different glades, wooded areas, the 24 ponds and the footpaths, and given half a chance, Mother Nature would quickly try and turn it all back into dense woodland, if we let her. We would lose all of the habitats that are used by both people and wildlife. The ponds, which have become so important for dragonflies and amphibians, would quickly be overgrown by scrub, and then the ponds would dry out and finally disappear. So it’s vitally important that we stop this happening before the whole unique character of the Gravel Pits is lost, and much of its wildlife gone. GPAG work to a strict "Site Maintenance Plan" designed to maintain the site that has been created, and to increase the value of the Pits by encouraging more species to inhabit the site in the years to come. We will achieve this by putting the welfare of the whole site and all of its inhabitants first, rather than trying to conserve single species.
Where is the Darcy Lever Gravel Pits?
Darcy Lever Gravel Pits belongs to Bolton Council and is part of Moses Gate Country Park, found to the South-East of Bolton in Greater Manchester. The site is open to the public all year round and is a wonderful place to ride your horse, cycle, take your dog for a walk, or just somewhere to enjoy a peaceful time in the woods. To help find the site, please refer to our location page to view a site map.