**Road Closure Announcement**

From Monday November 11th East Riding of Yorkshire Council will be closing local roads in the area which will affect people travelling to the reserve.They have assured us that access to the reserve will not be restricted. Visitors to the reserve are advised to check travel arrangements before setting off.

The essential repairs will be happening on the C48 unnamed road between the North Lincolnshire border after Garthorpe village and continue through to Reedness side of Whitgift village and will be completed in phases.

Phase 1 begins Monday 11th November. The works will include improvements to local kerbing and carriageway resurfacing and patching works along Garthorpe Road, Hoggard Lane, and Townend Causeway. These works will continue for approximately 4 weeks. (24 hour road closure)

Phase 2 will see localised carriageway resurfacing and patching works along Ousefleet Road, Ousefleet for 2 weeks (before christmas). (Closed Monday – Friday 07.30am to 3.30pm)

Phase 3 localised carriageway resurfacing and patching works will be carried out along Ousefleet Road, Whitgift for 2 weeks (after christmas). (Closed Monday – Friday 07.30am to 3.30pm)

*please note that the completion dates are subject to change depending on weather and site conditions encountered.

For the duration of the works a temporary road closure will be in operation with a signed diversion via the A161, Eastoft, B1392 Luddington, Garthorpe Road, Luddington Road, Fockerby and Garthorpe. Due to the nature of the works this will be a 24 hour closure for the first 3 weeks, after which the road will be closed during working hours only, Monday to Friday. However the road will be reopended during the Christmas period. East Riding of Yorkshire Council would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience these works may cause.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council pro this website which provides information about all road closures in East Yorkshire.

http://one.network/

Bus routes/timetables will also be affected.

East Riding of Yorkshire have also provided us with information for people travelling by bus between Scunthorpe and Goole – please see revised timetables below.

Just to re-iterate the reserve will be open as usual (reception hide winter opening hours are in effect i.e. closed Monday – Friday) with full access to the trails and hides.

The reserve is currently open 7 days a weeks 9.00am to 5.00pm.

The birdlife at the reserve will not be affected by the road closures !!

The team here at Blacktoft Sands extend our apologies whilst roadworks take place. These are circumstances beyond our control but we looking forward to seeing you at the roost!

Roost News (as reported by Carl Cornish last evening) :-

15+ marsh harriers harriers coming in to roost from Singleton hide, 2 buzzards, peregrine, sparrowhawk, 2 kestrels and a barn owl. Also a few thousand starlings, calling water rails and singing Cettis Warbler.

Sightings this morning include Marsh Harrier, Goldeneye, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Fieldfare, Widgeon, Teal, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler and Shelduck.