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Two ways to protect forest location, and one means of progress (8-5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

stepping stone

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'means of progress' is the definition.
'stepping stone' can be an answer for 'means' (stepping stone is a kind of means). I'm not sure about the 'of progress' bit.

'two ways to protect forest location and one' is the wordplay.
'two ways' becomes 'stst' (two abbreviations for 'street'. I am not sure about the 'two' bit.).
'to protect' is an insertion indicator (inserted letters are held or protected).
'forest location' becomes 'epping' (Epping Forest).
'and' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'stst' enclosing 'epping' is 'steppingst'.
'steppingst'+'one'='STEPPING-STONE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for stepping stone that I've seen before include "means of advancement" , "Part of stream crossing" , "This may help one to make progress" , "means to get better" , "Means to gradual progress" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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