WILLIAM ROAD site is reached via a hard-core track leading from between Nos 18 and 22 William Road. Double gates open from this track to a smaller area on the right and a larger area on the left. The central grass path on the left is soft, and too narrow for vehicles, and the council has put in barriers to prevent cars being driven onto this part of the site. The track is wide enough for cars to be brought up to the gates for unloading, but the council asks that they should not be parked at the side. The track leads onto the William Road recreation ground, also known as the “Co-op Field”, and council contractors need access to this.

There is a parking area for cars and unloading at the rear entrance to the site.

Facilities

There are only noticeboards on the William Road site near the gates.

WATER POINTS with tanks and taps are available on sites.

Soil and situation

The soil here is heavy clay. Before being set up as allotments, it was sheep pasture. Though fertile, it is inclined to lie very wet after rain, and not just in the winter. Most of William Road is sunny and open, though there are high hedges which affect some of the plots on William Road. Some plots are shaded in the morning, which is less of a problem; others lose the midday or afternoon sun. You need to visit the site on the ground to see which plots on William Road are most affected.

The site is generally quiet and there is quite a lot of wildlife. Both pigeons and foxes can cause problems. The foxes, though they do tend to dig things up, also keep down vermin.