MAJOR reinstatement work is being considered to halt the erosion of the banks of Petersfield Heath.

Specialist companies have been asked to take a look at how best to reinstate them, and it is thought likely the work could cost tens of thousands of pounds.

The 69 acre of heath and the 22 acre pond, is managed by Petersfield Town Council.

And involved in the day-to-day hands on work of maintaining the beauty spot are The Friends of Petersfield Heath (TFPH) volunteers.

But years of bank erosion is starting take a toll on the paths around the pond, says TFPH chairman Richard Warton, who is also a member of the heath working group.

He said: “The banks are eroding, with worst affected area is along the southern side along Sussex Road.

“A number of specialists firms have looked at the problem, and the South Downs National Park Authority is involved in the project.”

No firm decision has been taken on what measures would best halt the continuing erosion.

But among the recognised methods of halting erosion are gabions, metal wire cages filled with either stones or soil, or railway sleepers, as are used to safeguard the bank in front of the Plump Duck café on the heath.

Another method of stopping the bank soil washing away is to pin faggots -- bundles of tightly bound wood -- along the shoreline and then backfilling soil behind them.

It is also likely that some of the soil that has washed into the pond will cleared away by machine, creating a better depth of water along the shore line.

And reed beds along shore line could also help stabilise the banks; the volunteers have cleared one area of bank to create more and light and encourage the reed growth.

Mr Warton said: “Some willow trees have been cleared, which will let in more light.

“At the moment there isn’t an agreed figure for the work, but it’s likely to be costly, and a lot of getting it done will depend on the town council having the money available to do it.”

At their meeting on January 19, councillors agreed to keep the Heath Bank Stabilisation Project on the to-do list for the coming year -- but beginning the work is dependent on money being available, they said.