Groundwork
Merseyside

Through extensive consultation with local people, we discovered that the dense, dark woodland presented a barrier between housing areas, play facilities, schools, shops, a clinic and a community centre.

The limited routes available were largely unused, especially at night - in general the residents felt it wasn’t a safe place to travel through. Consequently, the site was neglected and uninviting.

The central objectives of this project were therefore to:

• Create safer, easier links between community facilities.
• Encourage a sense of ownership of the woodland landscape

Firstly, the owner of the site, Liverpool Housing Trust, approached Groundwork Mersey Valley and asked for advice about problems in Murdishaw related to the site. In response we helped to set up the project partners’ group.

After securing the funding and contracts for the project, Groundwork Mersey Valley and its partners organised and ran a series of community events to give local people a forum for discussion on the future of the woodland. Part of this process involved conducting a survey to find out general attitudes and opinions on the site.

Having established what local people broadly wanted we began the physical work onsite. Firstly, the woods were thinned and some of the trees removed. This made the area appear less threatening and dark.

Then, improvements were made to existing pathways and cycle routes were constructed. A brand new access path was built, lighting was installed and signage erected.

Local people are now using links through the woodland on a daily basis. A survey conducted shortly after completion of the project revealed that almost 80% of the participants judged the woods to feel safer than before the work.

LHT (Liverpool Housing Trust), Halton Borough Council, Halton Partnership Area Forum, United Utilities Landcare, Operation Gate-it, WREN Gift Aid

LHT (Liverpool Housing Trust), Murdishaw Community Forum, Halton Borough Council, Halton Partnership Area Forum