Nature boost for Halesowen's green wedge (From Halesowen News)

Nature boost for Halesowen's green wedge

7:50am Wednesday 13th February 2013 in News

A NEW nature reserve and footpaths are being created across a Halesowen beauty spot as compensation following the loss of land for the building of a cricket ground.

Developers St Modwen are releasing six acres of land on Coombeswood Green Wedge for a warden-controlled reserve on a 50-year lease to Dudley Council.

Four new footpaths have also being routed to make up for the loss of one path and the diversion of another to make way for the Coombeswood Sports and Social Club.

The Coombeswood Canal Trust has produced two guides to walks across the wedge, Leasowes Park, Lapal Canal and Abbey Lands.

Trust governing council member Roy Burgess said: “People come to the area on the canal and are surprised to find countryside - they expect it to be all factories.

“They and other visitors will now be able to walk more of the wedge officially, which is good news.”

The creation of the footpaths is the result of work by the Friends of Coombeswood and the canal trust.

He said most of the routes are accessible, but some will have to be circumnavigated until volunteers from the friends can clear them in conjunction with Dudley’s local access forum.

The guides, both in colour, include maps and photographs, and are available from the trust at Hawne Basin, Hereward Rise, Halesowen, by phone on 0121 550 1355, or by download from hawnebasin.org.uk.

With a guide price of 50p per leaflet, donations will be go towards funds set aside to promote the extension of the Dudley No 2 Canal towards The Leasowes.