£3 million investment in biodiversity

WARRINGTON Borough Council is investing in improving biodiversity thanks to a grant from the Heritage Lottery Carbon Landscape Fund.
More than £3 million has been allocated to support a range of biodiversity improvements.and more than £100,000 of projects in Warrington will be delivered by the council’s ranger service and will provide habitat and access improvements at:
* Risley Moss   – Bog restoration and access improvements.
* Rixton Clay Pits – Great Crested Newt habitat improvement  “Newtopia”.
* Paddington Meadows – Access, meadow and hedgerow improvements.
Risley Moss Visitor Centre has been identified as a key gateway into the carbon landscape and it is envisaged that this will host digital media to promote and support the carbon landscape project and provide an educational legacy beyond the five-year Heritage Lottery funded initiative.
The council has secured funding through the Landfill Tax Credit initiative administered by FCC Environment’s Wren grant scheme to deliver park and play area refurbishment at Alexandra Park, Stockton Heath and is working towards securing funding for Oakwood Avenue park refurbishment and Birchwood Forest Park skate and bike area. Community consultations to help secure funding are currently open for three further sites at Longbarn Park, Enfield Park and green space within Mee Brow, Culcheth.
Cllr Tony Higgins, lead member for leisure and community, said: “Parks and green open space are a high priority for Warrington, there has been unprecedented development of the borough’s green open space in recent years and this recent good news about funding will help deliver further improvements.
“Many communities now enjoy enhanced facilities that provide access to open space, bring communities together improving quality of life, health and wellbeing.”

Paddington Meadows pictured by Chris Digita

Risley Moss