Nature reserve receives £200k lottery funding

The National Lottery Heritage Fund is providing £217,000 of funding to help improve Smestow Valley Local Nature Reserve

A Wolverhampton nature reserve will be "improved and protected" thanks to £217,000 of funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The development funding for Smestow Valley Local Nature Reserve will in turn help City of Wolverhampton Council apply for a full grant of around £2m.

The 4.5km-long site forms part of the Black Country UNESCO Global Geopark and has a rich history dating back to Anglo-Saxon times.

Plans being considered for the nature reserve include measures to promote biodiversity and protect wildlife including water voles and otters, the council said.

Under the initial development phase, existing users of Smestow Valley will join forces with others to share their views on the plans for the project, the council said.

Officers will work with schools, community groups and residents to find out how people would like to get involved and encourage them to take part in ecological surveys and heritage discovery days to help protect the nature reserve for the future.

If the application for the full delivery phase grant is successful, a renovation of the well-known Meccano bridge to its historic appearance is planned, as well as the protection and renovation of other structures linked to the disused railway line forming the main path through Smestow Valley.

The project will be managed by the council in close partnership with the Canal and River Trust, the Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust, Wildside Activity Centre, Friends of Smestow Valley and Waterside Care.

Smestow Valley and rail network is a 4.5km long site which has a rich history dating back to Anglo-Saxon times

Other works at Smestow Valley will be carried out thanks to £200,000 in funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

These include canal towpath improvements, developing water vole habitats, creating a wildflower meadow, restoring hedgerows, reinstating a historic pond, and creating a community orchard.

Cllr Craig Collingswood, cabinet member for environment and climate change, said: “The improvements we are planning will not only improve this historical open space for a wide variety of plants and wildlife but will also mean we can improve access for local residents and open up the site for everyone to enjoy.

“Smestow Valley has a unique place in the region’s industrial heritage, but this is virtually unknown to many visitors. We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with a range of committed partners and local people to shine a light on this hidden gem.”