Kirkby Case Study

CASE STUDY: KIRKBY Part of the Local Sustainable Transport Fund Promoting walking and cycling by making local routes greener and more attractive. ROUTES GREENED 4.2KM SO FAR LOCATION KNOWSLEY, MERSEYSIDE PROGRAMME LSTF / SETTING THE SCENE FOR GROWTH Partially funded by the Department of Transport Map: © Crown Copyright and database right 2012 Ordnance Survey 100031461 THE STORY SO FAR to ensure they fully supported the helped water the trees in their early BACKGROUND street tree project, and provided growing stages. The Northwood and Kirkby area residents with a number of of Knowsley has lacked significant opportunities to shape the plans. An additional benefit has been to numbers of street trees, and Firstly, the team carried out an improve the cycling and walking has limited green space. It was evaluation of residents’ existing routes between local residential therefore identified as a priority perceptions of the local area. properties, schools and workplaces. area for green infrastructure They also engaged in door-to- The improved green spaces and developments. Although the area door consultation to inform local street environments have also suffers from significant economic residents about the plans and created new opportunities for and social disadvantage, our gauge their views. leisure and recreation, not least consultation showed that there is a through the creation of a natural gym. strong community spirit and sense The consultation showed strong The project has encouraged of local pride. support for the proposals, including investment in new mixed tenure comments that street trees would housing stock. Planting trees ‘bring the community together’ and on residential streets has also give the streets a ‘healthier look been shown to reduce air and WHAT WE DID and feel’. noise pollution and help make Over the course of two phases, The communities more resilient to Mersey Forest team planted 210 climate change. routeway residential and green OUR IMPACT space trees in Northwood. Planting took place in early 2011 and the late An area that previously lacked FUNDING winter of 2012. street trees has been transformed thanks to this project. By planting The project was part-funded by The work complemented other a significant number of new the Forestry Commission’s Setting landscaping improvements carried large landmark trees, the visual the Scene for Growth programme out by The Mersey Forest locally, aesthetics of this neighbourhood funded by the Department for including the transformation of – which once lacked the greenery Business, Innovation and Skills, with one of Northwood’s larger under- and “tree-lined” feel that many additional funding provided by used green spaces, now known as more affluent areas enjoy – have Knowsley Housing Trust, Knowsley Northwood Forest Hills, which was been dramatically improved. Council, and the government’s Big completed in September 2012. Tree Plant project. Residents have been brought The Mersey Forest team worked closer together as they’ve become closely with the local community involved with the scheme, and have Having street trees has made such a difference to my street. I now have something to look forward to all year round as the trees produce flowers, berries and beautiful autumn shades as well as attracting “ birdlife. Northwood Mums community group COMING UP AS PART OF LSTF Map: © Crown Copyright and database right 2012 Ordnance Survey 100031461 NORTHWOOD ESTATE INDUSTRIAL EMPLOYMENT ZONE SPARK SOME IDEAS? LSTF PROPOSED GREENING AREA GET IN TOUCH... Ben Greenaway Green Streets Coordinator, The Mersey Forest 01925 816217 [email protected] www.merseyforest.org.uk successful Green Streets project, MORE STREET GREENING which since 2007 has planted more BENEFITS Kirkby is set to benefit from further than 1000 street trees in Merseyside Benefits will include reduced street tree planting thanks to its and North Cheshire. carbon emissions and air pollution, share of the £0.5 million street improved physical and mental tree planting programme being health, and more people entering delivered by The Mersey Forest CONSULTATION training, education and ultimately which will create more attractive Local residents and businesses will employment. travel routes between areas of be put at the heart of the plans high unemployment and places of thanks to community consultations LSTF projects are delivered by The education, training and work. carried out by The Mersey Forest Merseyside Transport Partnership which will ask local communities consisting of Merseytravel and Funded by the Department for which species of trees they would the five local authorities of Transport, the Local Sustainable like to see near them and whether Merseyside – Knowsley, Liverpool, Transport Fund (LSTF) 2012-2015 they wish to be involved in Sefton, St.Helens and Wirral, with has awarded almost £25 million to watering their new trees. Sustrans, The Mersey Forest and the Merseyside to deliver sustainable Liverpool Chamber of Commerce. travel solutions that support The greening of the routes will economic growth while reducing complement a raft of other local carbon emissions. As part of this, projects within the wider LSTF The Mersey Forest has secured programme, such as cycle hire funding to plant street trees and schemes and improved bus other greenery along a total of services. Together with the street 22km of “linking routes” in Kirkby greening work, the projects aims and four other areas. to boost the number of people using sustainable modes of travel Working closely with the project including walking, cycling and partners, the street tree planting taking the bus, providing a greener in Kirkby will begin in winter route to work. 2013/2014 and will contribute to The Mersey Forest’s already .

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