Green spaces given high value in survey

WITH fewer vehicles on the roads, schools closed and more people cycling and walking for their daily exercise, lockdown has presented a unique opportunity for residents to rediscover the natural beauty of Bridgend county borough.

And as part of a Public Services Board (PSB) project last year looking into the value of green spaces, hundreds of people took part in a survey to explain how their use of open and green spaces had changed during lockdown.

In total 585 people responded to the survey with almost all (97 percent) saying they had appreciated green space more during the lockdown, 93 percent saying green space had helped their mental health, 81 percent saying they were more aware of wildlife and 95 percent saying they would use green space more in future.

Huw Jakeway, Chief Fire Officer of South Wales Fire and Rescue Service and Chair of the PSB Assets Sub Board which organised the survey, said: “We wanted to look at whether open and green spaces were being used differently during the lockdown and what we could learn from this to improve wellbeing in the future.

“The responses show that there has been a significant change in attitudes and that green space has had a positive impact on wellbeing and also has the potential to improve wellbeing in the future.

“We’d like to thank all those who took the time to take part in the survey.”

Bridgend County Borough Council’s cabinet member for communities Richard Young said: “We were delighted that more people want to get involved in conservation activities with over 240 people requesting further information on volunteering around activities such as litter picking and tree planting.”