Green areas in Leicester given £700,000 boost

Two green areas in Leicester are to benefit after almost £700,000 of investment was secured.

Rally Park, part of a former rail line next to the River Soar, will be cleared of undergrowth, planted with trees and have access improved.

At Abbey Meadows, between the National Space Centre and Abbey Park Road, new reed beds and landscaping will be used to encourage wildlife.

Most of the money is from government, with £100,000 from local developers.

The projects are part of wider improvements to the River Soar and Grand Union Canal.

Rally Park in particular had become the focus for concerns over anti-social behaviour and a lack of adequate lighting.

Leicester City Council's cabinet member for regeneration, Councillor Abdul Osman, said: "Both these projects are important steps towards enhancing the city's riverside area and making the most of the natural green spaces that the city has to offer.

"The funding will go a long way to helping regenerate Rally Park, which requires significant investment, and to bring new life to the Abbey Meadows area."