City councillor welcomes planned improvements for Podsmead

A Liberal Democrat councillor has welcomed the improvements due to take place in a part of Gloucester.

Work is due to begin at the open space at Milton Avenue in Podsmead following the award of a share of a Euroean Structural Investment Fund grant.

A total of £1.4 million will be spent on 13 sites across Gloucestershire, including Milton Avenue, to enhance biodiversity and encourage wildlife.

At Milton Avenue the new work could include tree planting, creating a meadow and wetlands.

Since being elected to represent Podsmead in July last year, Councillor Field has helped the local community with Milton Avenue through facilitating clean-up days with the council and Leyhill inmates doing community service, and volunteering where possible with Podsmead Big Local and Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust.

He has recently had it confirmed by the city council leader the money has been ringfenced and not affected by Brexit.

"The plans for Milton Avenue are still being developed, so residents are welcome to make suggestions for what they would like to see, either directly to me or to the council," said Councillor Field.

"I will be working with Gloucester City Council, community groups such as Podsmead Big Local and also Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust to ensure that the plans can be delivered and managed.

"My thanks to anyone who has worked on this site up till now. In recent months a great deal has been achieved and we are all grateful.

"It is very important now that we show that what we plant and build is still going to be there in future - this is a condition of the funding.

"So grass cutting programmes, for example, have to be managed carefully.

Overall the plans look very exciting and I will be talking to residents about them a lot over the coming months.

"I am keen to hear from Podsmead residents and users of the green space what they would like to see there."

More information and occasional updates on the project are available on the council's webpage: www.gloucester.gov.uk/environment-waste-recycling/nature-conservation/gloucester-urban-greening-project/