Blackburn becomes Fitter for Walking
The Cleaner Greener Griffin Group are celebrating after being presented with the Living Streets Neighbourhood Award, in recognition of the work they have done to improve the local walking environment around the Taylor Street Bridge.
Following an audit of the area in 2008, local residents teamed together with national charity Living Streets, Blackburn and Darwen Council and Network Rail to carry out environmental improvements. The walls were power washed, the whole area cleaned and additional street lighting added to make the area feel safer.
The Cleaner Greener Griffin Group worked hard to transform the area by removing graffiti, litter picking and painting the bridge to make it more welcoming. Working with a nearby school, child friendly markings were added to the walls to encourage younger people to enjoy the space as well.
The award was presented on Friday 12 August by Bernard Kennedy, Living Streets Project Coordinator.
Local families from the area and members of the Cleaner Greener Griffin Group who have been involved with the project will be at the event and will be trying out the activity trail that has been added to the street surface.
Living Streets has worked with community groups in Blackburn since 2008 to improve local walking environments and to get more people out and about on foot. Funded by the Big Lottery Fund and in partnership with Blackburn and Darwen Council, the project has seen huge changes made to local environments and attitudes to walking.
Carole Walsh, leader of the Cleaner Greener Griffin Group said:
“By working as a team the bridge has been transformed and is a cleaner, friendly place for people to go and feel safe. The children’s markings are fantastic and many children and parents can be seen enjoying the activity. My four-year-old god daughter is constantly asking to go to the footprints.”
For more information, visit the Living Streets website.
Published by: Travel Actively on Thursday September 15 2011
