A NEW LEASE OF LIFE FOR SPEKE GARSTON COASTAL PARK
Publish Date: 10.07.2006
A half a million pound project to transform disused land in South Liverpool into a nature reserve - equivalent to the area of six football pitches – has been completed. It coincides with a separate, but complementary, £1.25m scheme to redevelop a vandali
Speke Garston Coastal Park is one of the few existing pieces of natural shoreline in the Liverpool area, but the six hectare site overlooking the River Mersey has previously been underused and undervalued. Now the area’s image is being revitalised by new pathways, landscaping, seating, viewpoints for birdwatching and a car park.
The project has being jointly funded by Mersey Waterfront - which is supported by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) - and the European Interreg Artery Programme. It has been led on the ground by the Mersey Basin Campaign, with support from Peel Holdings (who own the land) and Liverpool City Council.
“Historically, this area has seen years of decline and neglect, and suffered serious issues with anti-social behaviour,“ says Sara Wilde, Chair of Mersey Waterfront. “However this scheme, together with the redevelopment of the Sailing Club, is a clear opportunity to create an outstanding public space. Renewal of this wasteland will not only encourage local people to take pride in the area, but will help create a better impression for potential investors in the nearby Liverpool International Business Park and Liverpool John Lennon Airport.”
Ian Taylor, Development Manager at the Mersey Basin Campaign, said; “This is one of the few parts of natural coastline in Liverpool and it was such an underused asset. Part of the site was an old airfield and it has just turned into a dumping ground.”
To ensure the improvements are sustainable, a management group incorporating land-owners Peel Holdings, the Mersey Basin Campaign and Liverpool City Council has been set up to maintain the site. The adjoining Estuary Business Park is also being integrated into the new reserve’s security, to help deal with potential problems such as vandalism and fly-tipping.
Paul Lakin, NWDA Area Manager for Merseyside, added: “The NWDA is pleased to have been able to provide funding to the Mersey Waterfront to help establish this important scheme. As well to providing an attractive, place for local people to use and enjoy, the nature reserve will benefit the area economically, by improving the image of the Liverpool City Region.”
