Green Salford

The Chair of the Environment Agency, Emma Howard Boyd, visited Salford today.  Here she is opening the new Ellenbrook Loopline with the City Mayor, with a lot of enthusiastic cyclists in attendance. Salford's developing cycle network is getting to be really impressive.

We also showed her the fantastic work the Lancashire Wildlife Trust are doing (supported by the City Council and the EA) at Little Woolden Moss - it is looking fantastic, and the restoration  of the lowland bog habitat is really coming on (extra of  a box hopping signboard for kids, with cotton grass in flower beyond). Fantastic birdlife here already. Breeding curlew, lapwing, oystercatcher and yellow wagtails (and loads of willow warblers singing whilst we were there). Not everyone's image of Salford.

A lunchtime visit to the RHS Bridgewater site, with again loads going on. The first phase is due to open in 2020. One big challenge, and really exciting. Pics taken, but not sure about the RHS policy on this sort of thing, so no extras.

And finishing in urban Salford, sustainable urban drainage using trees and permeable surfaces to help reduce surface water flooding. Salford has three demonstration projects in, lots more will be needed to make a difference - but this is about convincing people of what can be done. The scheme at New Bailey is in the extra.