The Meadows Enhancement and Improvement scheme
The Pitch
Problem statement
ABCA is a community group in Appley Bridge one of its main aims in the constitution is to mange for the people of Appley bridge and surrounding area a 9.1 acre site between the Leeds Liverpool canal and the River Douglas. The area which was a former industrial factory and dumping ground has been renovated for recreational and community use including allotments, community orchard ,wild flower meadow and provision of disabled paths and areas especially for wheelchair use. We volunteers work with Fir Tree Fisheries CIC , a special needs school in Appley Bridge .With them we want to extend the paths and areas for more interesting areas for wildlife including our new hedgehog conservation area
Solution
Our goal is to extend paths further particularly for wheelchairs and pushchairs. We will prepare and lay special stone paths leading to views over the Douglas valley. Always having in mind safety considerations regarding disabled persons. We want to build into this area places for our younger population to investigate our local wildlife ,trees and flowers by producing signs and literature explaining the history of the area ,including its former use as a linoleum factory. We already have projects with local schools who visit regularly. We intend to extend our hedgehog conservation area with the assistance from Chorley Hedgehog trust
Why are we best placed to deliver?
We as a small group of volunteers have worked on these projects for the past 6 years .The feedback on the way the area now looks is tremendous. We are in a position to work with local groups like Fir tree Fisheries to help them encourage and guide their students on land management and community skills. We work with them through Ofsted to give special emphasis on keeping all areas useful for our Appley Bridge community. We have laid these sorts of paths before and are confident we can continue to improve the area for public use. We try to improve communication skills and help to enable future employment .We have good links with local business who in the past have lent us heavy equipment.
Focus Areas
Delivery plan
Budget breakdown
| various quality stone for base and good quality stone for surface | £300 |
| safety equipment to make safe areas for wheelchair uses ,safety rails | £100 |
| extra equipment shovels, gloves, high viz | £100 |
Beneficiaries
200 people
Expected impact
using social media we will further improve our profile and invite Families ,friends and particularly those with disabilities to visit and enjoy the Meadows. We will invite groups to hold events on the Meadows and with better footpath accessibility have them appreciate the beautiful habitat. We intend with a local company to produce pamphlets describing the main species of birds and animals in the area. We hope for their feedback to measure the success of the project as it progresses.
Track record
WE have undertaken constructing a pathway suitable for wheelchairs before it has proved very successful even with heavyweight motorised units. We have had great help from local companies in Appley Bridge with equipment such as whackers and rollers and will again ask for their help. The signage is in place already to direct to the old path we will extend.