30 November 2009
Woolston to get new ecology park
Plans to undertake reclamation works to a section of the
derelict Woolston New Cut canal and for the creation of an urban
ecology park on adjacent land were recently given the green light
by the council’s executive board.
The proposals will reclaim a 400m stretch of the canal, owned by
Peel Ports, and include access improvements to the adjoining
council-owned site.
The use of green compost and other recycled materials features
heavily in the scheme, which will not only improve existing
wildlife habitats but create new ones too.
The works, due to begin in the new year, are part of a £1.25m
project funded by the Northwest Regional Development Agency’s
REVIVE initiative, together with monies from the Waste Resources
Action Programme (WRAP), the Government agency set up to promote
recycling.
Partners in the project include the council, Peel Ports, REVIVE,
the Environment Agency and Liverpool John Moores University, all of
whom have been working together for some years investigating an
environmentally friendly means of improving the canal.
Celtic Technologies Ltd have now been appointed as the main
contractor for proposed reclamation works which are expected to
begin in early December and take around six months to
complete.
Cllr. Bob Barr, executive board member for planning,
regeneration and housing thanked the partners and stressed the
importance of securing an effective form of treatment for such
sites, saying: “A lot of work has been carried out over a long
period by the partners to improve these sites. We are very
grateful to REVIVE and WRAP for the funding that will allow this to
happen. There are many sites like this throughout the northwest
which are the legacy of the regions industrial history. If treated
they can provide attractive green spaces and wildlife habitats
which are important for local residents, visitors and
schools.”
Richard Tracey, Head of Environmental Quality, Northwest
Regional Development Agency (NWDA) said:
“Woolston New Cut will benefit from the traditional advantages
associated with land regeneration, as well as the use of compost
and recycled materials to ensure the site remains sustainable for
today’s communities, providing green infrastructure on brownfield
land within the Cheshire and Warrington sub-region.”
To keep up to date on the project, visit www.warrington.gov.uk
Ends
Issued by: Katy Block, press officer
Date: November 2009
Release: Immediate