Local parks and nature in Reddish could be set for a series of improvements and a funding boost. 

Local councillors at the Heatons & Reddish Area Committee recommended three projects for approval; play area improvements at Houldsworth Park, a restoration of Emma's Pond, and enhancements to the Grafton Street play area. 

All of the proposals would be funded from the discretionary budgets of Reddish North and Reddish South. The amounts are as follows: 

• Houldsworth Park play area improvements - £7,000
• Emma's Pond improvements - £4,500
• Grafton Street play area improvements - £5,000

Local councillors at the area committee recommended approval for the projects from Cllr Jilly Julian, cabinet member for finance and resources. 

Houldsworth Park funding would cover improvements to play area equipment. Speaking of the proposals, Cllr Rachel Wise said: "I'm really pleased that the play equipment being put forward is accessible - it will be able to be used by people of all abilities and mobilities."

Emma's Pond is a naturally-fed farm pond in Reddish Vale. It has become shallow and overgrown due to invasive reeds and the silting up of the supply channel from Nicki's Pond, uphill.

Improvements to Emma's Pond and Grafton Street play area were recommended by Stockport Green Party councillors (L-R) James Frizzell, Liz Crix, and Gary Lawson (Image - Stockport Council)

Friends of the Vale would oversee the work, providing seating, a viewing deck, a pond life interpretation board and a low rail to protect dogs from falling in. The pond will also be restored to its original size, and native plant species will be planted to attract wildlife. 

Cllr James Frizzell said: "I've lived in Reddish for 26 years, and I remember what Emma's Pond was like when we first moved here. It was beautiful. It's still lovely, but now it's shallow, and it's suffering from silting up."

The £5,000 going to Grafton Street play area, meanwhile, would pay for a new double bay swing frame and seats which allow children of a wide range of age and abilities to play together, with work starting in the Spring.

~

Free from clickbait, pop-up ads and unwanted surveys, Stockport Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our town.

To get our top stories in your inbox each week, subscribe to our free weekly newsletter HERE.

Please consider following Stockport Nub News on Facebook or Twitter