Evolve: Neighbourhood Regeneration Through Partnership
News Stories
Green Streets Go Ahead
28 January 2008
A £400,000 Merseyside-wide project to plant trees in urban areas has launched its pilot phase in Bootle.
The Mersey Forest's Green Streets project uses tree planting to improve the quality of life in urban neighbourhoods. Local people are central to the project and will be involved in choosing and planting trees to line their streets.
In Bootle, over 100 trees will be planted along the front pavements of Bedford Road, Viola Street, Bianca Street, Orlando Street and Olivia Street. Tree planting is also being considered for Benedict Street and Beatrice Street, between Miranda Road and Hawthorn Road and on Wadham Road opposite the cricket pitch.
The tree planting complements the regeneration of these neighbourhoods as the area undergoes Housing Market Renewal; over £50m public and private investment will flow into these neighbourhoods over the next five years. Research shows that greener areas attract investment and create a sense of well-being for local people.
The long-term future of the trees planted will be guaranteed through maintenance by Sefton Council's Leisure Services Trees and Woodlands Team, and the support of Planning Section 106 cash, which helps to bring much needed greenery back to our streets and parks.
The Merseyside Green Streets project was officially launched on Monday, 21 January with the planting of an ornamental pear tree outside the Evolve Neighbourhood Centre on Bedford Road. Guest speakers at the launch included Pat McClosky, Chair of The Mersey Forest Partnership, Joe Benton MP, Alan Lunt, HMR Director for Sefton Council, Paul Nolan, Project Director for the Mersey Forest, Paul Kelly, HMR Public Realm Project Manager for NewHeartlands and Maria O'Brien, Evolve Neighbourhood Director.
Maria O'Brien, Evolve Neighbourhood Director, said: This project will help give this area a certain wow factor. When the planting is completed and these trees start to blossom it will look stunning. Evolve is working hard to improve the quality of life for local residents and the Green Streets project helps us to do just that.
Alan Lunt, HMR Director for Sefton Council, gave the project the thumbs-up. He told us: Improving public spaces is vital in creating more attractive communities and raising the quality of life for people living and working in them. The Green Streets project will have a positive long-term impact on the community and complement the physical regeneration taking place.
Alan added: An important element of this project is the input residents have in selecting the species of trees and the positioning. This ensures that environmental improvements such as this are decided upon by the very people that will be benefit from them on a daily basis.
The Mersey Forest Green Streets project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund, The North West Development Agency through the Forestry Commissions Newlands programme, Sefton Council, United Utilities and is supported by Evolve Neighbourhood Regeneration, Sefton Housing Market Renewal Team and Faiths4Change.
For further information on this story, please contact Evolve Neighbourhood Regeneration at info@evolve-nr.org.uk or telephone them on 0151 286 5555
