Council will develop £1.3m trail despite being accused of walking away from it

WARRINGTON Borough Council has pledged it will develop a £1.3m ecology trail it was once accused of ‘walking away from’.

The council’s scrutiny committee has examined how Woolston Ecology Park has been managed since the large sum was spent on it.

Poulton with Fearnhead Parish Council has criticised the council over a failure to monitor and support the use of the nature area next to New Cut Lane Canal since the outlay in 2010.

Following a meeting at the Town Hall, a spokesman for Warrington Borough Council said: “The committee listened to concerns from the group about the progress made on maintaining and enhancing the site.

“The committee was satisfied that arrangements were now in place for the council to work with partners to ensure the future development of the trail, within the resources available, including an annual £5,000 grant available until 2025.”

Clr Ian Johnson, chairman of both Woolston and Poulton Parish Councils, helped set up the New Cut Heritage and Ecology Trail action group to bring about improvements.

He criticised Town Hall staff for only providing details of how money has been spent at the ecology park just before the scrutiny meeting.

However, Clr Johnson believes the meeting was beneficial, with improvements like seating now planned.

He said: “Having our trail discussed and scrutinised by the council was of great benefit.

“‘A very important point that the group took away was a commitment to work closely with the group to deliver what can realistically be achieved for residents, and commitment from the scrutiny committee to return to the issue later in the year to review progress.”

lHave your say on what you would like to see put in place at the ecology trail. A survey is live online at warrington.gov.uk/newcuttrail. Comments can be left until May 9.