£2 MILLION FOR URBAN WOODLANDS (10/08/06)

Urban forestry projects across Scotland are getting almost £2 million to create more access and recreation opportunities for people living near towns and in cities.

Under Forestry Commission Scotland's Woods In and Around Towns (WIAT) initiative, 24 projects covering an area the size of Hamilton (1,200 hectares), are to share in the funding.

Work to improve access and recreation in woodlands includes: building and repairing footpaths; planting new trees and thinning out dense woodlands for more space; new signage and interpretation; and clearing up fly-tipping and rubbish.

Scottish Forestry Minister Rhona Brankin made the funding announcement during a visit to Easterhouse, Glasgow, to launch a brand new woodland trail in the heart of the Bishop's Estate. Glasgow City Council own the wooded areas surrounding Easterhouse and received funding through the WIAT project two years ago to build the trail and carry out many other improvements for the benefit of residents.

Ms Brankin said: "The improvements at Easterhouse are a real showcase for how woodlands on your doorstep can make a difference to the quality of life for those people living in our towns and cities. Simply being able to get away from the hustle and bustle of modern day living can be the natural tonic needed to recharge the batteries, wind down and get a better sense of well-being.

"Woodlands that are easily accessible and properly maintained are likely to be more welcoming and this is sometimes just the catalyst needed to encourage people out for a stroll or a bike ride. Mix a more active lifestyle with better surroundings and you really can make a difference to the lives of urban dwellers. By improving local surroundings, woods can also help regenerate urban areas and attract inward investment."

Under the Bishop's Estate Community Woodland Project, WIAT funding paid for new footpaths and the upgrading of existing ones, the removal of 100 tonnes of fly-tipping and rubbish, a full-time community ranger to link with local communities and schools; and a new leaflet promoting the woodland trails around the area.

Under the Scotland-wide package of funding announced today, Glasgow City Council is set to benefit from another £374,000 for three more woodland projects at Pollok Park, Dawsholm Park and at Drumchapel woods.

Councillor Jim Coleman, Deputy Leader of Glasgow City Council, said he is delighted the city will receive this money. "Glasgow's woodlands are a major asset to the city. To receive this funding is a tremendous boost in our drive to regenerate and safeguard our wooded areas, " he said.

Other winners of WIAT funding in today's announcement are:

£354,000 to upgrade 14 woodlands in Aberdeenshire with the aim of opening up more greenspace for recreation, education and relaxation. Some of the funding will go to Dales Park in Peterhead to build new paths and boardwalks for wet areas.

£101, 000 for a woodland makeover at Cumbernauld Glen owned by the Scottish Wildlife Trust. The funding will help build a new mountain bike trail in the woods which will encourage more cycling but also protect other more environmentally sensitive areas of ancient woodland found in the Glen.

£455,000 for six woodland projects in Fife which will open up access and better recreation facilities at Dalgety Bay, Formonthills, Inzievar Woods, Kirkcaldy Woods, Raith Estate and Lochore Meadows Country Park.

£90,000 to Midlothian Council to upgrade access to Gore Glen in Gorebridge and to organise more events for the community.

£62,000 to upgrade a number of recreation facilities in Castle Loch Nature Reserve in Lochmaben, Dumfries and Galloway.

There has been four WIAT funding rounds to date with a total of £7.2 million being committed to over a hundred projects involving over 7,000 hectares of urban woodland across Scotland.