Grant awarded for a new boardwalk in the Six Acre Meadow
One of the Borough’s oldest hay meadows is set to benefit from a new and improved walkway thanks to funding provided by Kingston Council as part of its Community Grants Programme.
The meadow, situated on the south-eastern border of Alexandra ward provides a habitat for a wealth of species including butterflies, bumble bees and hoverflies and the new walkway, leading from the meadow into woodland, will give the community greater access to this magnificent green space.
The £13,500 grant came from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and was approved at Surbiton Neighbourhood Committee on 13 January 2021. It will be used to replace the existing boardwalk that had fallen into a poor state of repair making it impossible to walk safely.
Co-Chair of the Surbiton Neighbourhood Committee, Councillor Anita Schaper said:
"As part of our green spaces, we are delighted that this CIL funding can provide a new boardwalk through the meadow and in such a fantastic wildlife location. Suitable for all ages, there is a wealth of habitat and biodiversity of wildlife to explore and learn more about. We are grateful to the officers at the council and to the conservation volunteers for their enthusiasm and commitment to this project. The meadow will be somewhere for residents to visit and enjoy for years to come."
Elliot Newton, Biodiversity Officer at Kingston Council said:
“The site represents a fantastic opportunity for local people to engage with the natural world that can be found on our doorsteps. The new boardwalk will also enable conservation volunteers to proactively manage the area and improve the site's ecological health.”
Visit our webpage for more about information about the Community Infrastructure Levy.