GREENER BOROUGH
@eastleighbc
17
Green Flag success Itchen Valley Country Park is among the best open spaces in the country – and that’s official.
Hiltingbury Lakes transformation The transformation will start this autumn Major improvements to Hiltingbury Lakes, the popular beauty spot in the north of the Borough, get under way in the autumn. Following consultation with local people, the Chandler’s Ford & Hiltingbury Local Area Committee approved £260,000 for a restoration project at the 17-acre woodland site that is a haven for wildlife. The funding includes contributions made by developers of local housing sites.
The works will help improve water flows through the lakes, as well as removing invasive non-native vegetation and improving footpaths and signage. Measures to discourage rats are also included.
The park is celebrating its 11th annual Green Flag award, which is a nationally recognised mark of quality: a Green Flag means visitors can expect a beautifully maintained park with excellent visitor facilities and high environmental standards.
Our country parks are hugely important to promoting biodiversity in the Borough and they give residents and visitors a chance to enjoy huge health and wellbeing benefits.” A new café, indoor play area and revamped outdoor play trail opened at the park last year and are proving very popular.
Chair of the Hedge End, West End & Botley Local Area Committee, Cllr Cynthia Garton, said: “The Green Flag reflects the skill and dedication of our team in maintaining Find out more at: this beautiful open space. eastleigh.gov.uk/ivcp
Local residents can find out more at the Hiltingbury Extrav community event on Sunday 22 September.
The new route has been constructed of self-binding hard gravel and includes two new bridges that have been built over the Monks Brook and adjacent flood plain, allowing use all year round. The funding was provided by the Eastleigh Local Area Committee (ELAC) from contributions made by developers of the North Stoneham housing development for improvements in the community.
New path for Lakeside walkers and cyclists Local people are now benefiting from the completion of a new 180-metre long shared path for pedestrians and cyclists between Ambassador Walk on the north side of Lakeside Country Park and Stoneham Lane. The walk/cycleway opened following the installation of safe crossings including a pedestrian refuge on Stoneham Lane.
Chair of ELAC, Cllr Paul Bicknell, said: “This great new route provides an important link from the new Stoneham Park development to Lakeside Country Park and beyond to Eastleigh town centre.
Picture above: Chair of ELAC, Cllr Paul Bicknell on the new walk/ cycleway.
FEEL 50 TALL FT
TREETOP cHALLENgE TREETOP ADVENTuRE
SOuTHAMPTON
Itchen Valley Country Park Just 10 minutes from Eastleigh Town Centre
BOOK AT
goApE.co.uk
#50feettall
Participation and supervision ratios apply please see our website.
