Council pay the price
for decision to allow woodland to spill over to fit in with ‘natural’ look

WARRINGTON Borough Council has confirmed it has proposed to widen a path in Woolston Park which it had allowed to become overgrow.

The west side path in Woolston Park has drawn criticism from residents, who say it is no longer safe due to its unkempt state.

Cyclists and pedestrians had previously used it.

As reported in the Warrington Guardian, the borough council allowed it to overgrow, stopping any maintenance, in order for it to ‘fit in with the natural look’ of the park.

It has now emerged the Town Hall has agreed to spend money on ‘improving and widening the path’ so it can be better used.

The lack of maintenance meant the path deteriorated to the extent it was removed from the cycle path guide for Warrington as it was no longer safe.

A spokesman for Warrington Borough Council said: “Following the Woolston Park consultation, and feedback from residents, the council has proposals for a project which will seek to improve and widen the path along the western bank to prvide a shared pedestrian/cycle path.

Woolston Parish Council has previously called the U-turn a ‘waste of money’ as improvements would not have been needed if maintenance had been carried out.

Clr Ian Johnson, chairman of Woolston Parish Council, said it is now focused on a ‘positive conclusion’.

Money for the improvements will be taken from both the transport and parks budgets, according to Clr Johnson.

He said: “Work is under way to audit the path and prepare and agree a design brief.

“This may involve cutting back existing vegetation adjacent to property boundaries in places, and installation of edge protection where the path runs close to the brook edge, therefore consultation with residents may also be required before any improvement works can be implemented.

‘’We thank the council officers for all the work which has enabled this to become a reality.