Take a look at future of the valley
RESIDENTS can find out the latest on plans to make Tawd Valley Park an even better place for people to enjoy.
A working group set up by West Lancashire Borough Council will outline progress being made at a presentation on Thursday, January 18 at West Lancashire College, Skelmersdale.
Members of the public with an interest in the area and how it might be developed are invited to attend.
The event will be held in the college’s main theatre, starting at 7pm and refreshments will be available from 6.30pm.
Presentations will include feedback on the detailed consultation held by Groundwork and West Lancs CVS over summer 2017 and the resultant masterplan for the Tawd Valley prepared by Groundwork, with proposed costings and works.
Council staff will then outline plans for the funding and phasing of the work which is anticipated to start in April 2018.
The council is working with a number of partners on the scheme: Groundwork, the Environment Agency, the River Douglas Catchment Partnership, SHARES and West Lancs CVS.
The plan includes: New cycle paths. New 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 project for Tawd Valley Park, so come along to this presentation to find out what is happening with Skelmersdale’s Jewel in the Crown.”
The council is eager to work closely with the community on this ambitious project and is looking for a Friends of the Tawd Valley to be set up.
This group would act independently of the council, and provide input into the project at all levels – from the initial planning to the final delivery phases.
For details on the draft proposals visit www.westlancs.gov.uk/tvpp, where people can also give their views on the Masterplan and how the Tawd Valley can be developed.
Comments must be received by the council by midday on Monday, January 15.
To sign up to get involved with the Friends group, visit: www.wlcvs. org/tawd/