Work Starts

Work on planting pavement and verge trees has started in Northwood Kirkby Merseyside this week.Contractors for Blakedown Landscapes broke ground and installed the first trees on Bigdale and Brook Hey Drives before moving onto Kennelwood Rd and Roughwood Drive.

It is hoped to have all the trees planted by mid February.

Green Streets Coordinator for The Mersey Forest Ben Greenaway said 'the first trees are now in and already the impact is quite substantial.The trees should have an impact of making the distances between places feel shorter especially when walking on foot or by bike; and which will give the area a greater sense of character as the seasons progress.'

North of England based landscape contractor, Blakedown Landscapes has been appointed to deliver the Green Streets project around Northwood,near Kirkby, Knowsley.The work involves the excavation of over 150 tree pits and the planting of extra heavy standard trees of about 3-4m in height.

The trees, planted in pavements,verges will give a sense of instant impact to the streets.

Bright green guards will protect the trees from accidental damage from cars whilst allowing the clearance of litter or debris build up around the tree.

Residents will be encouraged to plant up around the trees with bulbs or small flowering plants.

The contract is estimated to take around 3 weeks to complete in readiness for spring bud break when trees burst into life!

Blakedown Landscapes were delighted to have won this contract.Having worked with The Mersey Forest in a similar project in the Wirral the project's coordinator Ben Greenaway said 'we are confident that this project will be delivered with the efficiency we are used to with this scale of planting'.

Landscape Architects Appointed to oversee project

Architects Ombler Iwanowski have been appointed by The Mersey Forest on behalf of Knowsley Council to take forward plans to plant over 80 trees in the Four Acre and nearby Sutton Manor area linking residents to local shopping, neighbourhood services,schools and green spaces in the area.

Griff Evans of OI Architects (pictures left with contractor Blakedown Landscapes) said 'we have a wide range of experience of delivering this type of scheme in regeneration and community residential areas across the Mersey belt. I think this is a great scheme that offers an opportunity to bring a variety of colourful ornamental trees and where appropriate larger shade trees to this area.It will certainly brighten up the streets and give a more pleasant feel to journeys by foot and bicycle in Northwood.'