Council’s seven year plan to plant 130k trees in borough
HALTON Borough Council has said it’s going to plant 130,000 trees across Runcorn and Widnes by 2030 in a bid to contribute to efforts to tackle the climate crisis and to boost wellbeing in the area.
The Big Halton Forest Project was launched at Runcorn Town Hall by council leader Cllr Mike Wharton and Cllr Phil Harris (climate change).
A council spokeswoman said Cllr Wharton made climate change one of his priorities as new leader and Cllr Harris helped to develop the project.
She said the scheme’s aims include producing a “greener Halton” and diverse forest by planting at least one tree per resident.
It will also explore how the towns’ waterfronts and river can be improved, but that aspect of the project is “at an early stage”.
The scheme has been developed in the belief that creating green space and woodland habitats has a “huge positive social impact” on wellbeing.
As part of the project, the council will aim to develop safe and welcoming spaces for families to spend time and better understand trees and woodlands and encourage others to do likewise.
The spokeswoman said residents across the borough will have the chance to participate in creating the “forest”, which will form one of the council’s main initiatives to encourage everyone to play a role in developing Halton’s greenery and “gain an understanding of how anyone can help fight climate change”.
The first major plantings will take place in the next planting season over autumn and winter, so anyone interested in contributing to the project has months to plan or seek their own funding, the spokeswoman said.
Following the project launch, Cllr Harris, said: “Everyone will have the opportunity to help create tree cover equivalent to a new forest, from a back garden to a school, housing estate or development site, there are many options.
“This eight-year task represents an exciting opportunity to increase tee cover across Halton, but it won’t happen overnight.
“A typical tree whip can take five years to develop so it can absorb carbon emissions which is why it was identified as an early priority for the council’s efforts to remove carbon from the air.
“Partnering with the council will provide a range of opportunities to promote company environmental targets and bring tangible benefits to local communities or even remember a loved one who has passed away.”
The council spokeswoman added: “In the years ahead, the project is planning to plant trees grown from existing Halton trees, which will improve their resistance to disease and ensure a local supplier is providing the trees reducing carbon emissions from transport.
“A tendering scheme will be commissioned in 2022 to identify a suitable tree supplier.
“In the months ahead discussions will also take place with private and public landowners so the spread of the forest can be increased beyond just publicly owned land.
“A council web page signposts sources of funding for anyone who would like to organise their own tree planting later in the year.
“The web page will be updated in the months ahead, to provide further advice and guidance.” ● Find out more online at halton.gov.uk/forest.