Reuse and recycle at the Bluecoat this Valentine’s Day

Feb 10 2010 by Jade Wright, Birkenhead News

WIRRAL families are being encouraged to enjoy a free green workout on the Forestry Commission estate at the Bidston Moss community woodland in Birkenhead this February half term.

Experts believe that activities such as walking and cycling in clean green spaces can help people feel refreshed and energised.

With paths, trails, cycleways, boardwalks and a fishing lake, the Bidston Moss community woodland, off Wallasey Bridge Road near Birkenhead is an ideal place for all the family to enjoy free outdoor exercise together in a greener, cleaner community area.

The Bidston Moss community woodland is part of Newlands (New Economic Environments via Woodlands) - a partnership scheme involving the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and the Forestry Commission.Š

The £59 million NWDA-funded regeneration scheme is rejuvenating around 381 hectares of the Northwest’s derelict, underused and neglected land to stimulate economic growth and further opportunities for leisure and environmental improvements.

Tim Oliver from the Forestry Commission is the Newlands Project Manager.Š

“Community woodlands are great places for people to get out and active, especially during the school holidays.” says Tim.

They’re also a great free way to enjoy exercise in the outdoors.”

£2.7 million of NWDA funding is being provided for the 68-hectare Bidston Community Woodland via Newlands, to regenerate the area’s disused landfill sites.Š

A number of local partners, including Groundwork Merseyside, The Mersey Forest, Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority (MWDA) and Wirral Council are also involved in the project.

Newlands is transforming a significant part of Birkenhead’s derelict and underused land into an extensive public recreation space and community woodland.ŠŠ

Bidston Moss is situated to the west of the M53 motorway - forming one of the key gateway sites into the Liverpool - and is close to the NewHeartlands Housing Market Renewal area.

To complement the NWDA’s multi-million-pound funding, additional financial support has been secured from EU Objective One money via the Mersey Forest to help ensure the site’s environmental improvements are sustained.

This project has also been funded by Biffaward, a multi-million pound environment fund managed by the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts (RSWT), which utilises landfill tax credits donated by Biffa Waste Services.

Further information about Bidston Moss is available at www.forestry.gov.uk/newlandsŠ and www.forestry.gov.uk/northwestengland.