A POPULAR Quantock Hills car park has been temporarily closed for a second phase of renovation which started 18 months ago following surface slumping causing ruts and potholes which saw motorists instead of driving over and damaging sensitive habitats.

Work in Wilmot’s Pool, also known as Withyman’s Pool, car park is largely being funded by Friends of the Quantocks, which presented a £20,000 cheque to Quantock Landscape Partnership Scheme (QLPS).

A more durable and smoother, but still informal, surface is being installed together with a slight rearrangement of the parking layout to make best use of the space, with more bollards to stop the creeping spread of parking onto open common.

A view of Wilmot's Pool car park on the Quantock Hills.
A view of Wilmot's Pool car park on the Quantock Hills. PHOTO: FotQ. ( )

The Quantock Common car park is surrounded by lowland heathland designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because of the special plants and animals found there.

As with many informal car parks on the hills, Wilmot’s/Withyman’s Pool was not constructed but formed from many years of informal use, making them more susceptible to issues such as slumping and potholing, which can occur suddenly following bad weather.

The Friends is celebrating 75 years of campaigning and conservation projects this year and its latest investment is part of a £40,000 contribution to QLPS, a National Lottery Heritage Fund five-year programme of works and activities in and around the Quantocks.

The charity’s £20,000 was specifically for the cost of car park repairs and restoration, as well as wider landscape management projects.

Earlier funding helped to purchase an all-terrain Alpine tractor which can reach and maintain previously inaccessible areas of the hills.

Trustees chairman John Andrews said: “We are proud of our long track record in partnering and supporting the work of organisations helping to improve and preserve public access across the Quantocks.

“This latest investment will have long-term benefits for everybody who enjoys being out on the hills and it is a very fitting way to celebrate our 75th anniversary.”

Membership of the Friends of the Quantocks is open to anybody who loves and cares about the Quantock Hills and more information about the charity can be found on its website here.