24/11/2008 - Cycle path hedge planting marks National Tree Week

Green-fingered children from a west Cumbrian school will be helping spruce up a new cycle path this week.

On Wednesday (November 26) youngsters at Flimby Primary School, near Maryport, are going to be planting hedges along a section of the Flimby Gap Cycle Way to improve the look of the area and attract wildlife.

Timed to coincide with National Tree Week, the project will see children in Years 5 and 6 on site from around 1pm to 3.30pm.

The multi-purpose cycle path, which opened earlier this year, is not only aimed at cyclists, but also at walkers and people with children and pushchairs.

Funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the North West Regional Development Agency, the £320,000 scheme that links up with Hadrian’s Cycle Way, is made up of a mixture of new build and old bridleway that has been brought up to date.

Mike Cunningham, head teacher at Flimby Primary School, said: “This is very much a community based project and gives the children a chance to contribute to something that’s pretty special.

“It’s an environmental issue and also the cycle path is something that’s going to be there for a long, long time so the children are going to be able to look back in years to come and say that is something that I helped to create.

“Planting the hedges also fits in closely with the curriculum as it’s about life-cycles and that kind of thing, so I’m sure the children and community are really going to benefit from this.”

As well as the children from Flimby Primary School, local ornithologist Paul Harrison has also given his backing to the hedge planting and has even identified 22 different species of birds in the area including yellow hammers, willow warbler and finches.

Paul said: “I hope a lot of locals and visitors will use the cycle way and enjoy both the views and the wide variety of wildlife in the area.

“The hedge planting should make a big difference because hedgerows are important breeding habitats for birds.”

Notes

Children will be planting hedges in the field near the junction between Eaglegill Lane and Church Lane.
For further information contact Cumbria County Council project manager Jason Dixey on 07929 164799.

Media enquiries to media officer John Ballard on 01228 226330.