Back in 2016, the council sold some land in Salcombe Road, Knowle and the funds were to be used
on improving green spaces around Knowle and Windmill Hill. Various groups applied for funding to
improve their areas, such as the friends groups for Perretts, Victoria, and Redcatch parks. TRESA
also applied to improve Bushy Park and make it a more pleasant space for the centre of our area.
We had worked with local residents and landscape architects to devise simple and effective plans to
beautify the site.
The designs included the following change:
- To raise-up the flower beds along the Wells Road side. This would use short, gently curving concrete walls to provide seating, and give some protection to the beds which could then be planted with long grasses and bright flowers.
- The rotten steps opposite to Bushy Court would be replaced, ideally with a ramp,
- The burnt out fence in the centre would also be replaced with concrete also creating neat borders and suitable seating.
- It would tarmac the desire line path from the crossing, next to the phone box.
- Plant some more trees to replace those recently cut down.
The key aim was to give the area a little more love and attention, to remove the old, think bushes and
make it more open and safer, yet still have a pleasant space for people to rest as they pass up the
hill.
Thankfully all of the applications were granted and we were very excited to start with our plans. Sadly,
later in the year, the funding was revoked as the council tried to plug a hole in it’s finances. Various
groups pushed for this money to be reinstated and used for it’s intended purpose – benefiting local
green spaces.
In August 2017 the money was finally reallocated back to the projects. TRESA dusted off the plans and we started working with the council’s Parks department to get the work started. Despite having clear plans, community agreement, and costs estimated, the project has languished with the council and nothing has been done for three years.
Local residents have held work parties at Bushy park to continue making incremental improvements, such as removing the old bushes and planting a variety of pollinator friendly flowers. Bird boxes have been installed and more birch trees planted to make it greener. We also continue to arrange litter picks to keep the area tidy. All the while, we push for the larger improvements works.
TRESA is still in contact with the council to push this forward and ensure we don’t lose funding for our area. It has been very frustrating over these years as council staff frequently changed and each new
contact had to start at the beginning. Things just seemed to be stuck and never move but we will persevere.