Progress Being Made on West Lancashire Linear Parks Projects

• Linear Parks will provide create green space for activities, such as walking and cycling and add to biodiversity by creating a wildlife corridor
• Ormskirk – Burscough project progressing well, following the completion of the new High Grove Park housing estate
• Work on the next phase of the Tarleton - Hesketh Bank project to commence, following a recent meeting with key partners.

During last night's Full Council meeting, an update in relation to progress of the proposed linear parks between Ormskirk – Burscough and Tarleton - Hesketh Bank was provided to Councillors.

The Linear Park projects were identified in the West Lancashire Borough Council Green Infrastructure and Cycling Strategy 2017 and will provide create green space for activities, such as walking and cycling and add to biodiversity by creating a wildlife corridor.

The Ormskirk to Burscough linear park is an area of land which runs alongside the railway line combining footpaths, cycle paths and bridleways which will connect Ormskirk and Burscough. Since the last Council meeting held on 5 April 2023, further progress has been made on completing the latest section, which is approximately 350 metres long, between Abbey Lane in Burscough and Ormskirk. A feasibility study has been undertaken, and as costs have increased since the project was originally scoped, an application for CIL funding of £104k has been submitted to meet the shortfall. Officers expect a decision between September- November 2023 and are ambitious that any associated works will be completed by end of March 2024.

The Tarleton to Hesketh Bank linear park project includes an area of land running parallel with the River Douglas, delivering additional provision of a network of multi-functional green space. The first phase of the linear park route has been delivered by Hesketh with Becconsall Parish Council. West Lancashire Borough Council officers have recently met with representatives from Lancashire County Council, Sustrans, Natural England, Chorley and South Ribble Council, to better understand the work required to extend the pathway and to maximise their input, as they all aspire to provide this active travel link.

Economic Regeneration and Finance Portfolio Holder, Councillor Rob Molloy said: "We're pleased to share this update on the Ormskirk - Burscough linear park, following the completion of the new High Grove Park housing estate, and the Tarleton to Hesketh Bank linear park project.

"Not only will the Linear Park projects encourage walking and cycling to residents, but they will also enable safer connectivity for travelling between the neighbouring towns and villages and we are looking forward to their completion."