GREEN BELTS ARE MORE THAN LINES ON A MAP

NATURAL England and the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) have joined together to publish Green Belts: a Greener Future. This is the first major survey of the environmental state of Green Belt land and the benefits it provides for people and wildlife.

Helen Phillips, Natural England’s Chief Executive, said:- “By containing urban sprawl, the Green Belt has been a great success story of post-war planning. We need to look at ways in which it can expand on its success to date and play a full role in supporting England’s wider network of protected areas and open spaces. The Green Belt is an important environmental resource that managed effectively can help tackle climate change, support wildlife and provide health and leisure opportunities for millions to enjoy”.

Shaun Spiers, Chief Executive of CPRE, said:- “This report confirms that the countryside around our largest and most historic towns and cities is a vital, but fragile, environmental asset. We must continue to strengthen our Green Belts and make full use of the opportunities they provide to allow people to appreciate their local countryside. Where Green Belt land is underused, or in poor condition, the answer is to improve its quality, not to build on it.”

30 million people live in or next to Green Belts which cover 13% of the land surface of England. The new research presented in this report - and set out in the accompanying factsheets ‘Green Belts in England’ (3) - indicates that Green Belts:-

► Have been effective in protecting the countryside from urban sprawl. The rate of development on the edge of towns and cities in Green Belts is at least one third lower than in comparable non-Green Belt areas (4);

► Provide a valuable resource for people to exercise and enjoy peace and quiet, having 44% of England’s country parks, and on average 20% more public rights of way than the national average (5);

► Maintain a large area of distinctive, rural landscape within easy access of our largest towns and cities - 95% of the public living in the Green Belt value these landscapes for their beauty and 58% of England’s population have visited the Green Belt for leisure in the 12 months.

► Contain more than 260,000 hectares of high quality agricultural land (6) and have the potential to be an important source of locally-grown food (7);

► Contain 33% of England’s local nature reserves and are of great importance in enabling people to connect with wildlife and the natural environment.

► But the character of many Green Belt landscapes has continued to change in recent decades (8) and the Green Belt of the 21st century faces a number of challenges, including pressure from development and rising population.

Green Belts: a Greener Future highlights the need for positive land management to ensure that this extraordinary resource delivers wider benefits for the natural environment and for the millions of people who live in and around the Green Belt. A number of actions would help to achieve this:-

1. Recognise and protect the Green Belt. While enforcement of existing planning policy to restrict new development is central to the Green Belt’s future, the Green Belt needs to be viewed as much more than a planning designation and a focus on active management of the land is vitally important. Better and more co-ordinated land management would help the Green Belt to deliver vital environmental services - from attractive landscapes, wildlife rich habitats, places for recreation, healthy soils, fresh water, woodland and improved air quality.

2. Invest in and improve the Green Belt. Recreational resources, production of local food, fuel and fibre, environmentally sensitive land management and renewable energy production can all be increased, while protecting the Green Belt’s open, rural character.

3. Connect and network the Green Belt. More can be done to maintain Green Belts as part of an ecological network between urban areas, the wider countryside, and nationally important landscapes and nature reserves. Linking the land designated as Green Belt to areas designated for their environmental importance, to urban green spaces and to the wider countryside can help form ecological networks and green recreation networks – helping to tackle the challenges of a changing climate and improving our health.

Trailblazers Gear Up For Project 2010

THE Lancashire Wildlife Trust are gaining the support of local young people with a new project at Mere Sands Wood Nature Reserve in Rufford. The SITA-funded project – called Project 2010 – being run by the Trailblazers team will be creating a new dual pond-dipping area that aims to help bring the local community closer together.

The pond-dipping area will allow local schools to leave the classrooms and get outside for hands-on learning, while visitors to the centre will also be able to learn in this new educational habitat. Project 2010 will not only benefit the local community but also the local wildlife, helping to create a wider diversity of species.

When asked about the project, Trailblazer Dene Marland explained:- “We are hoping this project will develop the relationships between younger and older generations within the community, whilst allowing our volunteers to gain valuable skills and experience that will aid them in their future life.”

Anyone can volunteer, but the Trust are especially looking for 16 to 25 year olds. You can join up by contacting the Trailblazers team via emailing:- trailblazers@lancswt.org.uk or via calling:- 01772 751138.

ARRIVA BUS PASSENGERS TO RECEIVE £30,000 IN GIVEAWAYS...

BUS users in Liverpool can make saving money their new year’s resolution after Arriva North West announced it will giveaway £30,000 in discounts.

The bus company, which runs services in and around Liverpool and across the North West, is offering the discounts on Day and Weekly tickets bought through its innovative m-ticketing technology.

Bus passengers will get 30p off the price of a Day Saver ticket and £1 off a Weekly Saver when they buy tickets on their mobile phone as an m-ticket.

Arriva pioneered the use of m-tickets on bus services when it launched the service before Christmas, and now bus users can buy Day Savers, Weekly Savers and 4 Weekly Savers on their phone at any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Debra Mercer, marketing manager for Arriva North West, said:- “All customers have to do is visit www.arrivabus.co.uk and complete the quick and easy registration process, during which the m-ticket application is downloaded to their phone. Then they can simply buy and store tickets until they’re ready to activate it and hop on a bus. All they need to do is show their ticket to the driver on their phone screen. There are many benefits for customers... no more fumbling for change when they get on the bus; it’s quick, easy and twice as secure as typical online transactions. And if customers change their plans after they’ve bought their ticket, it won’t be wasted.  Yes, they can just keep it on their phone until they’re ready to go.”

The Arriva ticket sale will for a limited time only. Sale prices will continue until discounts worth £30,000 have been given away.

Debra Mercer added:- “Saver tickets offer terrific value anyway, but it really is a case of ‘Hurry while stocks last’ to get an even bigger bargain. Customers should remember that there is always 10 percent off 4 Weekly Saver tickets bought either online or as m-tickets.”

To register for m-tickets, or to find out more about how they work, simply visit:- www.arrivabus.co.uk.