Accessible for everyone
Footpaths around Sholing Valley stretching to a kilometre are to be transformed so that the beautiful woodlands can be enjoyed by those with mobility issues, wheelchair users and those bringing prams or buggies.
A team of ten people from local business GTb, a joint venture between Galliford Try Environment and Binnies UK, that is carrying out storm water work at Woolston to help protect the shellfish in Southampton Waters, took volunteering leave over a period of one week to support community volunteers from the site in tackling the works at the five-acre woodland site.
GTb Project Manager Dominic Edwards said: “The community volunteers at Sholing Valley do a fantastic job of maintaining the site, but sometimes they need help on larger projects from organisations like ours. We’ve used about 60 tonnes of stone and reworked about 1 km of new footpaths, which will enable more people to enjoy the benefits of the outdoors.”
The work has been supported by other local businesses
MJ Hickey Plant Hire generously supplied a 3-tonne excavator and small dumper free of charge, and Hercules Site Services, which offered additional labour at a reduced rate, the cost of which was split between Hercules and GTb.
MJ Hickey Plant Hire Director Will Sheridan said, “Having worked with Galliford Try for many years, we were delighted to be able to assist at Sholing Valley with the supply of some plant. It is great to see multiple companies collaborate their respective resources in order to support and facilitate these community projects.”
Along with the footpaths, GTb donated several hundred pounds worth of new equipment and personal protective equipment for future Sholing Valley volunteers to use.
Sholing Valley spokesperson Mac Ince said: “We are incredibly grateful the team at Binnies for all the work on the new paths they are doing: it is a massive undertaking. We do a lot of work on the nature reserve year round, but as a charity that’s entirely run by volunteers, we find some tasks harder with smaller groups. These new paths are so important for allowing all members of the public the opportunity to explore and experience the wonders of nature that can be found here.”
About GTb
GTb is a joint venture between Galliford Try Environment and Binnies UK Ltd who are Southern Water’s Delivery Partner for the AMP7 Non Infrastructure programme covering the west of Southern Water’s region (Hampshire, Isle of Wight and West Sussex). This covers design, construction, commissioning and handover of water and wastewater assets in an integrated team with Southern Water.
About Sholing Valleys
The land is owned by Southampton City Council who work in partnership with Sholing Valleys Study Centre (reg charity) to maintain the site for the benefit of nature and the public.