TWO villages to the east of Salisbury have been officially connected for the first time thanks to a new off-road 1.2 mile route.

Residents of Firsdown and Pitton can now make use of a new permissive bridleway between the two villages along the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) Roundbarrow nature reserve.

The new route offers recreation opportunities for walkers, horse riders and pedal cyclists across the rolling countryside in Wiltshire and will give users “a front-row view to see landscape restoration in action”.

The new path was officially opened at an event on Friday, May 23 which was attended by various stakeholders including a local rambler group and parish council representatives – as well as the newly appointed Wiltshire Council cabinet member for environment, climate and waste, councillor Paul Sample JP.

The 120 hectares of farmland are owned by Wiltshire Council and have been let to the RSPB as a collaborative 15-year project to restore and create permanent chalk grassland on what was once an intensive dairy farm.

The change of use provided an opportunity to seek local opinions on enhancement initiatives.

Ideas at an engagement event in 2023 included off-road access and a community orchard, which has recently been planted in Pitton. The new bridleway will offer views across the landscape.

Walkers on the new bridleway at RSPB Roundbarrow Narrow Reserve Picture: Wiltshire Council

Wiltshire Council said it has ambitions for ground-nesting birds such as the rare Stone Curlew and Lapwing to thrive in the area in the future.

The recovering landscape will require seclusion, with no routine public access onto RSPB Roundbarrow nature reserve, but the 5m-wide bridleway will afford views over the positively changing landscape.

The new off-road access through the countryside provides opportunities to connect with nature, which can contribute to the physical and mental health and wellbeing of local communities.

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The restoration of the site forms part of a package of strategic mitigation measures that will allow housing developers in other locations to fulfil their obligations to reduce impacts on the sewerage systems and water quality within the River Test catchment.

This will help to benefit internationally protected habitats in the Solent estuary, which need additional protection from nutrient (particularly nitrogen) pollution.

Cllr Paul Sample JP said: “The opening of this bridleway provides a welcome addition to RSPB Roundbarrow nature reserve, one that will enable walkers, horse riders and cyclists to take in the beautiful landscapes in the area.

“The purpose of the Roundbarrow project is to support an exemplar chalk grassland to establish and we want communities to be right at the heart of it.

“This bridleway will give residents and visitors a front-row view to see landscape restoration in action and will encourage people to get out and about to enjoy nature and all its benefits.

“We look forward to welcoming people to this very picturesque part of the county and for them to enjoy the resurgence of wildlife in the adjacent fields.”

The new bridleway will link directly to the existing Roman Road known as Monarch’s Way, south of Firsdown.

It will pass by the archaeological site known as ‘Piccadilly Clump’ along the western boundary of RSPB Roundbarrow, changing direction and skirting along the northern edge of the woodland, travelling east to Pitton.

It is bordered by stock-proof fencing with new gates installed near Firsdown and Pitton.

More information about RSPB Roundbarrow Nature Reserve can be found by clicking here.