Community welcomes new green corridor for Langley
10th October 2006
A special gateway park that has transformed wasteland surrounding a school in Langley was officially opened on Friday by local environmental campaigner Edna Battersby together with Rochdale’s Mayor and local children.
The £400,000 project has landscaped the area alongside Furrow Community School with dozens of mature trees, granite walls and a new bridge that connects the area to the Bowlee Community Park footpath network.
Children at the school helped to create an eye-catching steel totem pole to mark the entrance to the new green corridor on Windermere Road.
The innovative project has been funded by Housing Market Renewal. It aims to create a safe space for the whole community to use.
The Mayor, Councillor Jean Hornby said: “This very unique project is helping to connect communities and provide a beautiful open space for local people to use.
“What was barren wasteland around the school has been absolutely transformed into a lovely green area with trees and walkways; somewhere that people of all ages can enjoy. We also have a new bridge providing a valuable link to Bowlee Community Park and beyond. This contributes to the ongoing regeneration work that is making Langley a nicer place to live.”
Housing Market Renewal has invested millions of pounds in Langley including work on environmental improvements to neighbourhoods.
Langley pensioner Edna Battersby, 78, has spent years tirelessly campaigning for cleaner, safer streets and better open spaces in Langley.
She said: “Since I moved to Langley in 1960 I’ve seen a lot of changes and been active for the last 22 years in trying to make it a nicer place. We’ve had problems with empty houses, graffiti and fly tipping, but the area in the last couple of years is now looking much better because of the regeneration work taking place. Seeing this new gateway park come to life is wonderful.”
Headteacher of Furrow Community School Chris Windle added: “The children are enjoying making the most of the space. We are also using it for an art project bringing the outside environment into the classroom by collecting leaves and twigs for prints and ceramics. It has made a real difference to everyone at the school.”
Photo: School children from Furrow Community School enjoy the new gateway park