Green Streets The vision for Wirral Waters, part of Atlantic Gateway, is full of ambition. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity Over to bring about the regeneration of Inner Wirral and the City Region, creating over 20,000 new years30 jobs and 14,000 new homes over a period of 30 years.

Through this programme, part funded by the Department For Transport, Merseytravel has invested £515k from the Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF). This is helping to encourage active travel to work along 22km of road and set the scene for new investment and new jobs across through The Mersey Forest Green Streets programme. 20,000 The Mersey Forest Partnership has been new jobs working on the Green Streets programme in the Wirral since 2011. To date, 370 new street trees have been planted across , with more to come this year and 1000 in total for the LSTF programme, in order to green key transport routes in the 14,000new homes area. These trees are just some of over nine million planted to date by the Mersey Forest Partnership, many targeted on key transport corridors. The Mersey Forest’s aim through LSTF is to get more from trees. More people walking and cycling and more inward investment to create more jobs. 1,000large trees to be planted

22of routeskm to be improved

of23% people say they will cycle more as a result Green Streets and 15% saidthatthey would walk more often. encourage themto cycle moreregularlyto work residents suggested thatGreenStreets would across allofthetarget areas.Infact, 25%oflocal indicated thatthereisarealappetite for thiswork Our independentbaselineassessmentshave Commission. Forestry for Growth fundsfrom BISdelivered through the of other funds,includingtheSetting theScene The LSTF investment iscomplemented by arange to work. attractive routes thatencourageactive travel and environmental improvements to create are thefocus ofintensive communityengagement to areasofhigherunemploymentopportunity – Target routes – thosethatlinkareasofjob Mersey Forest GreenStreets programme. new jobsacross Merseyside through The set thescenefor new investment and travel to work along22kmofroad and Fund, ishelpingto encourageactive through theLocalSustainableTransport Investment of£515k by Merseytravel, Trees leadingto jobs

accelerates investment, inturn creatingnew jobs. improving theenvironmental quality ofthearea through active travel routes, to placesofwork and Setting theScenefor Growth, connectspeople, through LSTF fundingthrough andcomplementary is thattheinvestment ingreeninfrastructure leading to jobs”.His,andhisorganisation’s,view one oftheLSTF target areas,talksof“trees multi-billion poundinvestment atWirralWaters, Holdings, whoisdeveloping andpromoting the Richard Mawdsley, Projects Director atPeel job opportunities. for new economicinvestment thatcreates new travel to work andalsohelpto provide thesetting and sustainablechangeintheways thatpeople to make we canstart LSTF anoticeable partners, Coordinating thiswork withinvestment from other

Unique opportunity for LSTF – Wirral Waters immediate impact. is plantingrelatively maturetreesto ensure for economicgrowth. AndTheMersey Forest creatingtheconditions of roads andservices, astheengineeredinfrastructure as important A network oftree-lined‘greenstreets’ isjust and colourful. bleak landscapeinto onethatiswelcoming network ofgreeninfrastructure,turningthe accompanies new development willbea infrastructure ofroads andutilitiesthat to theWirralWaters scheme.Alongsidethe The Mersey Forest’s GreenStreets areintegral − − − − − − − Green Streets programme onWirral. floor area).Itisthecentreof intheUK(byregeneration scheme Wirral Waters isset to bethelargest − − − − − − − 20,000+ new jobs. and amenityspace education, leisure,community 100,000 sqmofcultural, conference facilities 38,000 sqmhotel and retail space 60,000 sqmancillary 13,500 residentialunits and R&Dspace 420,000 sqmofoffice The WirralWaters schemeboasts:

Projects Director atPeelHoldings Richard Mawdsley important.” with natureisvery touch withtheelementsandintouch the forefront ofthemarketing: beingin city. Thegreeninfrastructurewillbeat campus feel onthedoorstep ofavibrant place rightandgive itanidentity–a toIt’s moreandimportant get the want acompellingplace. “Occupiers gateway to thearea. owned Bidston Moss,apotential key recreational parks andopenspacesForesty Commission Birkenhead Park, aswell asseveral smallerlocal green spaces,includingtherecentlyrestored There arealsolinksto existing investment in

Making it happen improving localhealth andwellbeing. values, attractingvisitors andcreatingjobs, through amixofcarbon reduction,risingland NPV, canbeachieved through thisinvestment, is estimated £30m thateconomicbenefits worth Using theGreenInfrastructureValuation Toolkit, it improved accessto Bidston Mosscosted at£2m. usesofderelictsitesspaces, temporary and includes street trees,thedesignofnew green programme, funding, includingcomplementary on theareaaround WirralWaters. Theoverall The initialprogramme ofLSTF work focuses Impact and jobs,we candeliver much‘morefrom trees’. routes to work, andasetting for new investment community cohesion.Byproviding attractive asenseofprideand improvesengenders involvement oflocalcommunities.Engagement to istheengagementand itssuccessfuldelivery Green Streets isoneofourkey projects andkey Green Streets ‘More from Trees’ Our visionissummedupinthephrase: live, work andvisitTheMersey Forest. improve thequalityoflife for peoplewho cities to make places more attractive and woodlands inandaround ourtowns and Our focus isonhow we usetreesand approved CommunityForest Plan. The Mersey Forest isagovernment

Local resident essential to aprosperous working environment.” andgreeninfrastructure thatis transport area. Intimeinvestment willhelppay for the plantingwillleadinvestors“This into thedocks Local resident this fosters isextremely valuable!” the colourthatthisbringsandsenseofhope environment to get asenseoftheseasonsand “You needconnectionto your natural Association inBirkenhead ofBidstonChairperson RiseResidents’ Jean McIntosh, community spiritcomingup.” theplace.Youreally lookingafter canseethe appreciate alltheimprovements andare “Bidston Riseisalovely placeto live andpeople Testimonials our targets for LSTF. delivered 93%oftheprojected budget, andhit Work isalreadywell underway. In2012/13 we A senseofchange

Green links to employment greater degreeofconnectivity. and communityplantingschemes,resultingina infrastructure interventions, suchasstreet trees outstrategiclocal communitiesto green carry This willbeachieved by working closelywith projects andplans(suchas WirralWaters). closely to majorinvestment andregeneration deprivation andareasofemployment, linking infrastructurebetween areasof transport The schemesfocus onimproving sustainable the overall bid. the SustainableTransport Infrastructurestrandof projects across Merseyside. of Theseform part Forest willbedelivering aseriesofconnected Merseyside project (fundedby DfT),TheMersey SustainableAccess for oftheSupporting As part What? − − − − managed anddelivered, are: flavour ofthe way inwhichtheprogramme is The GreenStreets corevalues, whichgive astrong through greening’. neighbourhood andcity-centre working together to improve theirquality of life centres on‘residentialandbusinesscommunities residential streets. TheGreenStreets vision the physical environment ofmany innercity record andhastransformed ofsuccessfuldelivery Merseyside andCheshire.Ithasaproven track led urbangreeningthathasbeentrialledacross our ‘GreenStreets’ programme –community- mechanismforA majordelivery thisschemeis How? and Cycle BuddySchemes)featured inthebid. promotional activity, workplace travel planning, Community Travel Hubs,bike rideandwalking behavioural changeoptions(includingThe and pedestrianroutes across Merseyside) and travel andimprovements users, to cycle ways employment/education destinationsfor active to andfrom railstations,facilities atkey improvements to pedestrianandcyclist access infrastructure improvements (including tothese interventions serve enhanceother to ensurethat local authoritypartners We willalsowork closelywith therelevant − − − − design solutions; Commitment to innovation andhigh-quality existing regenerationinitiatives; Co-operation andcomplementarity with need; Prioritisation for communitiesinthegreatest community cohesionandskillsdevelopment; improvement to facilitate life-long learning, approachCommunity-led to environmental engaging withthelocalcommunities,we aimto By providing routes greenedtransport and benefits arerealisedthrough project delivery. possible economic,socialandenvironmental Change framework. Thisensuresthatthegreatest the GreenInfrastructureto CombatClimate covering theLiverpool CityRegion, aswell as infrastructure needsandfunctionalitymapping The schemeisunderpinned by detailed green Because treescanleadto jobs. Why? − − − − − − − − − − − − priority areas: links willbecreated inallfive ofthe overall bid’s cyclists andreducingatmosphericcarbon.These improving journey ambiencefor walkers and In total, 22kmofgreenlinkswillbecreated, Where? deliver asuite ofeconomicbenefits. carbon dioxide. Inadditionthegreenedroutes will alongstrategicPM10 routes particles) aswell as pollutants (especiallyozone,nitrogen dioxide and play acriticalrole inhelpingto absorbairborne ofthisschemewillalso The treesplanted aspart benefits to thetarget population. the placeofwork. Thiswillbringahostofhealth travel for alljourneys butespeciallyonthoseto facilitate andencourageagreater uptake ofactive − − − − − − − − − − − − environments. through thecreationofhigh-quality urban Raising theprofile oftheNorthwest project evaluation; and Commitment to long-term monitoring and term management; Commitment to robust mechanismsfor long toon delivery timescales; Financial accountabilityandstrong emphasis Best value delivery; inprocuring service implementation andlong-term management; Sustainability to beatthecoreofdesign, Streets approach; to facilitate themainstreaming oftheGreen through thecreationofareplicablemodel Commitment to disseminatingbestpractice St Helens Kirkby South Liverpool East Wirral Liverpool/ SouthSefton North Rationale and benefits of proposed green infrastructure elements of the Merseyside Local Sustainable Transport (LSTF) Bid − − documents, including: cities. Thiscanbeseenatanationallevel inkey policy infrastructure for bettersupport integration ofgrey andgreen There exists currentlyagroundswell ofgovernment presentation ofany appraisalorevaluation”. terms shouldclearlybetaken into accountinthe costs andbenefitsthatcannot be valued inmonetary of greeninfrastructure The Treasury GreenBookrecognisestheimportance bid (suchasincreaseduseoftreelinedcycle routes), green infrastructureinterventions featured intheLSTF Despitevalue on difficultiesinputtingamonetary Policy support R. andPopham, F., 2008). population,TheLancet, Mitchell, an observational exposure to naturalenvironment onhealthinequalities: these inequalities, regardless ofsocialclass(Effect of parks, woodland orother greenspaceshelpedreduce to medicalcare.Research hasshown thatlivingnear inlifestyle,differences diet and,to someextent, access to incomeandsocialdeprivation, whichgenerally reflect Across thereare‘healthinequalities’ related thecountry Reducing thehealth gap: documented. The healthbenefitsof walking andcycling are well communities to useproposed routes for active travel. strong communityengagement activitywillencourage Greener, pleasant,attractive andsafer routes and Direct healthbenefits: – Annex 3). (Taking ontheRural Road Safety Challenge,DfT, 2010 effective asspeedcamerasinslowing down traffic A recentDfTstudyfound thatstreet treescanbeas Safer routes for pedestriansandcyclists: trees (Heathet al.,2006,S75). due to better street-scale designthatincludedplanted one studybicycle traffic increased by morethan20% et al.,2009;Lee,2007).2008; Larsen For example, in suchaswalkingundertaken andcycling (Forsyth et al., positive factor inthelevel ofphysical activities The presenceofstreet treesisfound to beasignificant Increased levels ofwalking andcycling: Direct benefits investment andgraduate andyoung peopleretention.” green infrastructurecreate theconditionsfor inward cycle andwalkingcommitments to and publictransport, that sustainablecitiesaresuccessfulcities,where healthandwellbeing… Allour evidencesupport shows growth, butonlyinways thataddressworklessness and sustainableeconomic system thatsupports a transport transport: ofgreeninfrastructure insustainable importance The ThirdLocalTransport Planclearlyshows the − − people withnature. specifically asamechanism for reconnecting (HM Government, 2011). ThisidentifiestheLSTF The NaturalChoice:securingthevalue ofnature The NaturalEnvironment White Paper (NEWP): and (Communities andLocalGovernment, 2011); draft The NationalPlanningPolicy Framework “Prioritiesareclear;we mustseekto provide inmajorprojects inourtowns and

andsuggeststhat,“…material

The greeninfrastructurewillcontribute to screening Increased noiseabsorption: and cyclists to use. creating apleasantandsafer route for pedestrians currents.Thiscanplayor diverting avitalrole in provide shelter from windsatalocallevel by slowing The greeninfrastructurefeatured intheLSTF bidwill Improved windshelter: potential ofthenewly users improved routes. and provide anexcellent andinvaluable linkbetween hard to reachcommunitiesareinvolved intheproject for people.Communityengagementwillensurethat of isolationandprovide asocialandcreative outlet mental well-being asgroup activitiesreducefeelings Such active engagementhasbeenshown to improve infrastructure interventions featured intheLSTF bid. Local communitieswillbeinvolved inthegreen Increased communitycohesion: biodiversity andmentalhealth). investigating thelinksbetween naturalenvironment, 2007, NaturalThinking,commissionedby theRSPB: a senseofhealthandmentalwell-being (DrBird, dementia. Interaction withnaturegenerallyincreases across thepopulation,elderlycareandtreatmentof discipline, hyperactivity andADHD,stressanxiety mental healthissues,includingchildrenwithpoorself- effective component oftreatmentanumber Contact withnaturehasbeenproven to actasan in surrounding prices(CABE,2005). property which greeninfrastructurecan provide willbereflected and for thosewhoresidethere.Theimproved aesthetic improve theimageofanareafor people asthey arrive The proposed greeninfrastructureinterventions will Aesthetic value: Beckett et al.,1998, Smith,1990, Hewitt et al.,2005). pollutionbyparticulate upto 140 peryear (Hill,1971, the West Midlandswould reduceexcess deathsdueto study estimated thatdoublingthenumberoftreesin Arecent stomata anddepositiononleafsurfaces. fromPM10 theair, particles through uptake vialeaf of pollutants,especiallyozone,nitrogen dioxide and The treesplanted willplay akey role intheremoval Trapping air pollutants: walkers andcyclists (Kramer&Kozlowaki, 1960). help to keep theroute temperature atacomfortable for of treesislikely to beeven Thiswill moreimportant. climate ispredicted to bewarmer andthecoolingrole coolingtheirimmediate locality.surfaces Thefuture As plantstranspirewater isevaporated from their Evaporative cooling: 2006, Parker, 1981). critical aswe adaptto achangingclimate (Huanget al. reducing theurbanheatisland.Thiswillbecomemore to reducetemperatures levels andincreasecomfort – from solarradiation people, buildings,andsurfaces Green infrastructurecontributes to theshadingof Shading from sun: Ling, 2002). can leadto additionalstressandpoorhealth(Fang & routes.of noise,especiallyfrom majortransport Noise Improved mentalhealthandreducedstress:

The Mersey Forest Offices Contact us Risley Moss Ordnance Avenue Paul Nolan Director, The Mersey Forest Birchwood Phone: 01925 816217 Warrington Fax: 01925 821793 WA3 6QX Email: [email protected]