Ferry Meadows in Peterborough will implement a temporary ban on all barbecues and campfires from this Thursday, Nene Park Trust has announced. The measure is a direct response to the ongoing hot weather and exceptionally dry conditions, which have created a heightened risk of wildfires spreading rapidly across green spaces.
The Trust confirmed that the prohibition will remain in force across the entire Ferry Meadows site until further notice. Recent heatwaves have left grass and other vegetation parched, making them highly susceptible to ignition. A spokesperson for Nene Park Trust highlighted a small grass fire in the park just three weeks ago, which necessitated an emergency services response, underscoring the immediate danger.
Duncan Bridges, Director of Landscape and Conservation at Nene Park Trust, emphasised the severity of the situation. He noted the increasing number of wildfires occurring nationwide, including in green areas close to Peterborough, such as Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. Bridges also pointed to a recent declaration by Natural England, which has designated parts of the UK, including the Midlands, as being at an 'exceptional' risk of wildfire.
To enforce the new regulations, barbecue stands within Ferry Meadows will be covered. Additionally, the Trust plans to install extra signage throughout the park and increase evening security patrols. Nene Park Trust has previously encountered numerous incidents linked to barbecues, including instances where bin stores caught fire due to the improper disposal of hot ash in general waste bins.
Major wildfire incidents have been reported in various parts of the UK recently, with firefighters battling blazes in locations such as Conwy, North Wales, and Glossop, Derbyshire, just this week. Wildfires also impacted areas including Hampshire, Durham, West Sussex, East Sussex, Devon, and Somerset over the past weekend, illustrating the widespread nature of the current threat.