Nearly 250 trees planted along new Warwickshire greenway

By James Smith

6th Feb 2023 | Local News

The Lias Line Greenway was opened in July 2022 providing 4.2km of off-road cycleway (image supplied)
The Lias Line Greenway was opened in July 2022 providing 4.2km of off-road cycleway (image supplied)

Nearly 250 trees and shrubs have been planted along Warwickshire's longest greenway in the past three month.

The trees have been planted along the Lias Line by charity Sustrans to "lend a helping hand to British wildlife and improve local biodiversity".  

More than two thirds of the trees were planted by a team of eleven volunteers who also helped to install a range of supportive features inlcuding biodegradable tree guards and tree mats to ensure the trees were in good health.

The new £5.1 million path between Offchurch and Long Itchington was opened to the public in July 2022, prodiving 4.2km of high quality off-road track for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

Named after the stone buried beneath it, the Lias Line closed in 1985 after 134 years of transporting minerals and passengers.

The last phase of the works will close a 120m gap at the western end of the scheme later this year. This will enable Sustrans to divert Route 41 of the National Cycle Network from a nearby road onto the track.  

Most of the trees were planted by volunteers along the Lias Line (image supplied)

As part of the construction project, Sustrans worked with Warwickshire County Council's ecology and landscape team to build wetland areas to encourage great crested newts. They also installed bat boxes and are working closely with Warwickshire Butterfly Conservation group to improve the habitat for the common blue butterfly.   

Commenting on the planting initiative Tom Aplin, Sustrans volunteer co-ordinator, Midlands and East, said: "Although the bulk of the construction has been completed, we'll carry on supporting the community, helping them to continue the amazing improvements which have been made on the Lias Line.

"We're already planning more events and we are always keen to hear from people wanting to get involved.

"I would particularly like to thank Long Itchington Parish Council for their help and support. They're strong advocates for their community and their support is crucial to ensuring the long-term sustainability of this greenway." 

The improvements were largely funded through a government grant, supplemented by further money raised from the British Horse Society, Warwickshire County Council, Warwick District Council and Rugby District Council.

     

New warwick Jobs Section Launched!!
Vacancies updated hourly!!
Click here: warwick jobs

Share:

Related Articles

Here is our weekly roundup of local jobs available right now (image by Ellen Manning)
Local News

Five jobs available near Warwick right now: BMW, Greggs and chef

Warwick Castle's outdoor arena has come under fire (Image via White Tiger PR)
Local News

Warwick planning roundup: Neighbours' castle concerns, ATM's out and tattoo studio

Sign-Up for our FREE Newsletter

We want to provide warwick with more and more clickbait-free local news.
To do that, we need a loyal newsletter following.
Help us survive and sign up to our FREE weekly newsletter.

Already subscribed? Thank you. Just press X or click here.
We won't pass your details on to anyone else.
By clicking the Subscribe button you agree to our Privacy Policy.