Local views wanted to help protect nature reserve

Wolverhampton residents are being asked for their views on how to protect and develop Smestow Valley Local Nature Reserve

Wolverhampton residents are being invited to give their views on ways to protect and develop the wildlife, heritage and natural beauty of Smestow Valley Local Nature Reserve.

Smestow Valley and rail network is a 4.5km long site - forming part of the Black Country UNESCO Global Geopark - with a history dating back to Anglo-Saxon times.

The online consultation is looking at the reasons why people visit the nature reserve, why it is important to them and how it can be improved to benefit all communities across the city.

It is also exploring how to best protect and promote the unique historic features at the valley, and how to improve signage and information about the heritage of the site.

As well as the online survey, in-person consultations are gathering opinions on improving access into and throughout the site.

The results will help inform the next phase of the ongoing project to Explore, Enhance, Protect and Promote Smestow Valley Local Nature Reserve, according to City of Wolverhampton Council.

Last year, the council, together with partners Canal & River Trust and Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust, secured funding of £217,000 from The Heritage Lottery Fund to put towards developing plans for a full application of around £2m, to be submitted in 2026.

If the application for this delivery phase is successful, renovation of the Meccano bridge is planned, along with other structures linked to the disused railway line which forms the main path through Smestow Valley.

The council said gathering views and opinions through the consultation would be essential in helping to secure funding to deliver these future improvements, and would also help to share the heritage of the valley with a wider audience.

During the initial development phase, the council has worked with partners Canal & River Trust and Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust as well as the Wildside Activity Centre, Friends of Smestow Valley and Waterside Care.

According to the local authority, the partnership approach has seen a wide range of activity at the site, including improvements to the canal towpath, planting wildflower meadows, restoring historic ponds and hedges and planting native flowers, including bluebells and wild garlic.

These activities, which were funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, helped develop a range of volunteering opportunities, as well as an approach to volunteering for the future.

Over time, the whole project at Smestow Valley aims to increase engagement through school visits, heritage-focused volunteering opportunities, biodiversity enhancements, community events, artwork and interpretation, as well as online information.

Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal said: "Smestow Valley is a real hidden gem in the city and we'd love anyone who enjoys visiting it to come forward and give their thoughts on how it can be developed and protected for the future."