Westhoughton nature reserves to be improved thanks to funding

Westhoughton Town Council has allocated cash to improve local nature reserves.

Eatock Lodge, off The Hoskers in Daisy Hill, Cunningham Clough, the stream which runs down the side of Wearish Lane and comes out on Hindley Road, Hall Lee Bank Park, from Park Road to Daisy Hill railway station and Hall Lee Brook known locally as The Bonk, from Bolton Road to Park Road, will benefit.

The improvements will take place after the town council allocated a budget of £7,000 to do works such as improving footpaths, repairs to bridges, planting schemes and hedgerow work at the four nature reserves in the town.

The Friends of Eatock Lodge were also given a £500 grant by the town council to support maintenance work.

Westhoughton councillor David Wilkinson, who has been a town councillor since the town council was formed in 1985, said: “For around 30 years now we have been supporting our wonderful nature reserves and so I’m delighted that we’re able to do this again this year.

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“The nature reserves require regular maintenance to ensure they can continue to be enjoyed by Westhoughton’s residents.

“They are tranquil and much needed green spaces as vast swathes of Westhoughton have been gobbled up for housing developments.

Hall Lee Bank Park (Image: Cllr David Wilkinson)

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“Thirty years ago, we helped to maintain the footpaths, occasionally bridges that had swept away and other bits and back then there was quite a bit of money around and we used the probation services such as community payback to help keep our nature reserves well looked after.

“But now as time has gone by money has declined due to budget cuts, and community payback has changed as well.

“So, we have put a little bit of extra money in to do some of the things that need improving.

“People use these areas and 30 years ago we had a lot more green open spaces, but as time has gone by these spaces have become smaller and we want to keep these as little green spots for wildlife and for members of the public to use.”

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at chloe.wilson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @chloewjourno.