New ecology park

Woolston is soon set to get a 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.”   

To keep up to date on the project, visit www.warrington.gov.uk

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