I
Ian Cloke
Guest
On 13th February 2007, the River Cole at Shard End will get its second good seeing to in two months. The second of three spring cleaning operations at Colehall Lane, Shard End aims to remove large scale litter from the river bed and land nearby. The operation will start at 10am. A team of volunteers, including 30 young people from educational charity Envision, will be pulling out debris that could include old bikes, general litter and mattresses between Colehall Lane and the Raven in Hodge Hill Road.
The clean up is part of an ongoing project led by national charity CSV (Community Service Volunteers) working in partnership with the Environment Agency.
Sprucing up the area near Colehall Lane by removing litter is part of a larger restoration project where a 150m section of the river will be widened to create a better habitat for wildlife. The restoration will make the River Cole much more attractive to visitors and appear far more natural.
Mike Williams, Director of CSV Environment said; "It is great to make a real, visible difference to the look of the River Cole which is an important amenity for residents in East Birmingham."
Will Groves, an Environment Agency Officer involved in the clean up said; ?Last year, local MP, Liam Byrne, raised the idea of a clean up on this stretch of the River Cole with the Environment Agency. The first spring clean on the River Cole took place earlier in January 2007 with help from local environmental charity, CSV Environment. The day was a great success with many local residents turning out to do their bit and tidy up on one of Birmingham?s urban rivers.?
?The Cole Valley is the ideal place for recreation, however litter can make an unpleasant environment near Shard End. With the help of these young people and other volunteers we want to make the River Cole a great place for local people to enjoy the river and get out and about!?
Notes to editor
CSV Environment is part of the national charity CSV (Community Service Volunteers) and has worked with local communities across Birmingham to improve their environment and to promote greater awareness for over 15 years. They are based at St. Peter?s College in Alum Rock.
Envision is an educational charity, which inspires and enables young people to realise their capacity to make a difference through tackling environmental problems. Their Birmingham office is at Millennium Point.
The clean up is part of an ongoing project led by national charity CSV (Community Service Volunteers) working in partnership with the Environment Agency.
Sprucing up the area near Colehall Lane by removing litter is part of a larger restoration project where a 150m section of the river will be widened to create a better habitat for wildlife. The restoration will make the River Cole much more attractive to visitors and appear far more natural.
Mike Williams, Director of CSV Environment said; "It is great to make a real, visible difference to the look of the River Cole which is an important amenity for residents in East Birmingham."
Will Groves, an Environment Agency Officer involved in the clean up said; ?Last year, local MP, Liam Byrne, raised the idea of a clean up on this stretch of the River Cole with the Environment Agency. The first spring clean on the River Cole took place earlier in January 2007 with help from local environmental charity, CSV Environment. The day was a great success with many local residents turning out to do their bit and tidy up on one of Birmingham?s urban rivers.?
?The Cole Valley is the ideal place for recreation, however litter can make an unpleasant environment near Shard End. With the help of these young people and other volunteers we want to make the River Cole a great place for local people to enjoy the river and get out and about!?
Notes to editor
CSV Environment is part of the national charity CSV (Community Service Volunteers) and has worked with local communities across Birmingham to improve their environment and to promote greater awareness for over 15 years. They are based at St. Peter?s College in Alum Rock.
Envision is an educational charity, which inspires and enables young people to realise their capacity to make a difference through tackling environmental problems. Their Birmingham office is at Millennium Point.