Brook Street West (area over wooden bridge)

Over the last couple of years we have spent time trying to tidy up the area as it was overgrown and used for anti-social behaviour. We would like residents ideas on how they would like this area used and be more pleasant (remembering we have a limited budget).

Some ideas from residents were:

• Remove the railings and rejuvenate the riverbank and use it as a recreational area
• Flower beds, wild flowers, plants that attract bees
• A designated dog friendly area (but not exclusively) for dog walkers to meet
• Children wildlife – bug hotels, nesting boxes, hedgehog houses
• Information boards on wild birds/swans on the brook

• We contacted the residents that responded to the survey and invited them to a meeting on 19 June 2017 to discuss the ideas provided and any new ideas; due to the limited budget we decided on some ‘quick wins’.
• We managed to get some old tyres, paint & brushes donated to us from local businesses to help with our community project.
• On 25 September 2017 we had our first planting session – the area had been flailed in preparation. Local residents and conservation volunteers helped to plant some wild flowers into the ground; old painted tyres were also used as planters.
• In spring next year the area should be full of colourful flowers – a more welcoming area for residents. If the tyres/plants are ‘looked after’ by residents, we would like to build on this work next year and take forward more ideas provided in the survey.