Tree-planting project underway to make Wirral more green

Feb 27 2013 by Danielle Wynne, Birkenhead News

THE first tree has been planted as part of a project to improve transport links in Wirral.

The Wirral Green Streets project aims to make the transport routes to key employment areas more attractive, including the new Wirral Waters regeneration project which is predicted to create 20,000 new jobs in the area.

A Chinese Ginkgo tree was planted in Ilchester Park in Birkenhead by funders of the project.

The plans to plant 1,000 trees over the next three years were drawn up by The Mersey Forest and 300 will be put in place this year alone.

A consultation was held with residents on which species of tree they would like to see on streets including Laird Street, Duke Street and Hoylake Road.

Paul Nolan, director of the Mersey Forest, said: “Street trees provide many benefits, including helping urban areas adapt to projected climate change, as well as creating attractive routes for walking and cycling.

“The street trees we will plant as part of this project will improve the appearance and image of Birkenhead and Wallasey, providing a green gateway to the opportunities at Wirral Waters.

“We are already planning a community launch event, which will be held in the summer to celebrate the greening of the area.”

The project is in partnership with Peel Holdings and funded by Merseytravel through the Local Sustainable Transport Fund, Wirral Council and the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS), as well as the Forestry Commission’s Newlands Programme.