Have your say on council plan to transform popular parkland
PEOPLE can have their say on the latest stage of an exciting project to make Skelmersdale’s Tawd Valley Park an even better place to visit.
Local communities have already had one opportunity to have their say through an extensive consultation held in the summer of 2017, and their views have helped shape the current version of the masterplan.
Now the council and its partners in the scheme, Groundwork, the Environment Agency, the River Douglas Catchment Partnership, and West Lancs CVS, are inviting the community to give further comments on the updated document.
People have until January 12, 2018 to give their views.
The ambitious masterplan includes:
New cycle paths and wetland habitat areas.
Improvements to the amphitheatre to create an informal event space.
Creation of a heritage trail.
New picnic spaces close to the town centre.
Access and improvement work to footpaths and landscapes.
There is also potential for a new visitor centre, new play area and a BMX track as well as a fishing lake.
Cllr Yvonne Gagen, portfolio holder for leisure, said: “This is a really exciting time for Tawd Valley Park, which is a fantastic asset for the people of Skelmersdale.
“We are very grateful to everyone who has contributed to the masterplan so far, and we are keen to hear people’s views on the latest version.
“So please respond to the consultation.”
The outline masterplan, identifying both maintenance and refurbishment tasks as well as ambitious new ideas for the Tawd Valley Park, was approved by council cabinet in November.
The project will take a number of years to implement, but funds have already been secured to invest in Tawd Valley and the council and its partners hope to begin work from April next year.
The borough council is looking to establish and support a Friends of Tawd Valley Park and other regular volunteering groups to support the council’s rangers with planning the parks development, running events and activities and conservation works on site.
It is intended to hold a presentation to showcase the masterplan in the New Year, to include the results of the latest wide-ranging consultation.
People from the local community can find out more and sign up to become a volunteer or help form the Friends of Tawd Valley Park group.
Further details will be published soon.
To see the updated version of the Tawd Valley masterplan and give comments please visit the West Lancashire Borough Council website www. westlancs.gov.uk/ yourviews, from Tuesday, December 5, and click on ‘consultations underway’.