Collated responses from BGU Members to GM Local Nature Recovery Strategy Consultation
Bolton Green Umbrella supports over 100 member groups and individuals to promote making Bolton a cleaner greener town for all its residents.
We discussed the draft Local Nature Recovery strategy at the BGU January meeting, encouraged individual groups to complete the online questionnaire and asked for their key points about this strategy which have been collated below. These collated responses have been shared with:
– Greater Manchester Combined Authority on naturerecovery@greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk
– Bolton Council via Director of Place, Jon Dyson and the Cabinet Lead for Environment and Climate Change, Cllr Richard Silvester.
Five members of the BGU Committee went to the consultation session at Moss Bank Park on 7th January 2025.
Collated Responses from BGU Member groups:
1. Overall BGU members welcomed the vision, key aims and headline targets in the strategy.
2. There are concerns that without an implementation plan and regular independent panel reviews the strategy may not make a real improvement, particularly if it remains a stand-alone policy at both GM and Local Authority levels. The strategy needs to be monitored to demonstrate success, develop and share best practice.
All regional and local authority environmental, planning and other enabling strategies, policies and plans need to be compatible and coordinated with this strategy, for example GM SuDS strategy, Integrated Water Management Plan, Local Authority Local Plans and land allocations for housing.
3. BGU members welcome the emphasis on creating connected networks of green and blue nature areas. In the Bolton area many of the opportunities to restore nature need to focus on
a. river valleys, for example Middle Brook, Eagley, Astley and Bradshaw Brooks, Rivers Tonge, Croal and Irwell, and
b. upland moorland areas, for example Smithills, Turton Heights and Affetside
4. Improved access to more bio-diverse habitats for wildlife and to nature for local communities is seen as essential. Underinvestment in footpaths, tracks and signage has resulted in their poor condition and barriers for people to reach nature, particularly for those with mobility issues. Upgrades to footpaths would allow improved access and help to prevent erosion to river banks, and damage to other habitats, native plant and wildlife.
5. The removal and management of invasive species e.g. Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam and Giant Hogweed is a major issue in Bolton for the recovery of natural species and damage to bio-diversity. These aims need to be emphasised more strongly in the strategy. See appendix 1 – Report on JKW treatment
6. Improved and more extensive aquatic habitats are essential for nature restoration and to support adaptation to climate change. Examples include
a. modification or removal of river obstructions e.g. weirs
b. restoration of canals and greater use of Sustainable Drainage Systems to minimise surface water flooding and resulting damage to nature
c. improvement of water quality to support richer bio-diversity
7. Volunteers and engagement with local communities on improving their local environment are essential for achieving nature restoration within Greater Manchester. Scarce resources over the next decade locally and across the UK make this a vital element of improving the environment. This needs to be reflected more strongly in the strategy.
Appendix 1 – JKW Eradication Programme on Irwell River Catchment https://boltongreenumbrella.org.uk/document-centre/Japanese_Knotweed_Review_2022-2024_Report.pdf
