Group set up to protect the glow worms
“They could be a real attraction,” say Friends of the Earth.
The colony, said to be one of the largest in the country, and one of the few continuing to grow, lives along the old railway line.
It was threatened with extinction when plans were revealed to build the Northern relief road along the line. The county council planned to dig up the top layer of soil, containing the glow worm larvae and transport it to another site, but experts said they would not survive this treatment. Plans for the Northern relief road were shelved last year.
Now the Friends of the Earth want to enhance the old track, making it a proper foot and cycle path, and at the same time protect the plants and bushes that house the glow worms.
They say the most important thing is stop unsuitable lighting being installed as this disorientates the worms and stops them breeding.
It is the female of the species that emits a bright green glow in order to attract the males.
One she has mated she no longer glows.
The group organises regular weekly glow worm walks on summer evenings when the tiny insects are growing.
They are popular with visitors, and the group say could become a real tourist attraction if promoted properly.
News story date:March 17, 2000
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