PRESS RELEASE
Today's Date: 20/04/2012 | Media Contact: Mike Bray, The Mersey Forest
Tel: 01925 859611 / 07770 735755 | mike.bray@merseyforest.org.uk
Billinge benefits from Landscape Fund
People in Billinge can enjoy welly-free walks and greener school grounds thanks to a trio
of environmental projects in the village.
A new section of upgraded bridleway running over 250 metres from Billinge towards Carr
Mill Dam has proved hugely popular with walkers and cyclists alike, thanks to funding
secured by Billinge Chapel End Parish Council.
Councillor Dennis McDonnell, Chair of the Parish Council said: “This section of path has
always been difficult to navigate especially during the wet winter months. The upgraded
path has made a big difference and a lot more people are using it, from ramblers to
people using it as a route to the pub.
“The path also provides an alternative route to Carr Mill Primary School and helps to
avoid the main Carr Mill road if travelling on foot, bicycle or even horse.”
A large chunk of the money came from United Utilities via the St Helens Landscape
Fund – a scheme to invest in communities affected by the construction of the West East
Link Pipeline, which carries water 34 miles from Prescot Reservoir to Woodgate Hill
Reservoir in Bury. An equivalent investment in the bridleway improvements was also
made by St Helens Borough Council.
Part of the work, which also includes a new bridleway access control and hedgerow
planting, has been carried out by St Helens Chamber of Commerce.
Meanwhile, local schools are also becoming greener. The St Helens Landscape Fund,
managed by The Mersey Forest on behalf of St Helens Borough Council, has
contributed to additional tree planting at the nearby Nugent House School and a further
project to improve the school grounds at Chapel End Primary School has recently been
awarded funding.
Brian Tollitt from United Utilities said: “The West East Link is a vital piece of engineering
to allow us to move water around the North West to the areas that need it. Such major
construction brought with it disruption and we recognised the impact on local
communities. It’s great to give something back and help people in Billinge and the St
Helens area enjoy the local landscape.”
ENDS
Media contact: Mike Bray, tel. 01925 859 611 / 07770 735 755
Notes to editors:
St.Helens Landscape Fund
This Section 106 fund allows people to apply for funding for landscape enhancement
and community infrastructure projects in the area of St.Helens marked on this map. The
fund is available as a result of the new West East Link Pipeline being provided by United
Utilities.
www.sthelenslandscapefund.co.uk
The Mersey Forest
The Mersey Forest is a growing network of woodlands and green spaces spread across
Cheshire and Merseyside, which has been creating 'woodlands on your doorstep' for 20
years.
The Forest is one of the leading environmental regeneration initiatives in the North West.
Through community and partnership working, we have planted more than 8 million trees
- equivalent to five new trees for every person living within the Forest area.
The Forest helps our towns and cities adapt to climate change and has won the Brian
Redhead Award for Environmental Sustainability, creates woodlands that 20% of local
people visit at least once a week, and by improving the image of our towns and cities
sets the scene for growth within the region's £98 billion economy.
We achieve all of this and more through our partnership of local authorities, landowners,
the Forestry Commission, Natural England and businesses including United Utilities.
www.merseyforest.org.uk