Ribble Rivers Trust are proud to announce that the first phase of the Primrose Lodge Blue and Greenway Project (PLBGP) is now complete!
The first phase of this ambitious plan involved coppicing trees then desilting the redundant mill lodge, as well as clearing the area which, over the decades in which it has remained redundant, had attracted fly tippers as well as general litter.
Over time the lodge had attracted silt which has washed down from upstream. 4,000 cubic meters of this silt has now been excavated and used to build up the land surrounding the water. This winter the banks will be planted up with trees, and wildflower seeds will be sown.
Surveys have already identified 231 plant species, and 28 bird species with the lodge being frequented annually by migrating birds. With the habitat improvements we have already made we are hoping that more invertebrates, birds, and mammals will be attracted to the site.
What’s next?
The next phase of the PLBGP project will focus on the creation of a fish pass, thought to be the longest in England. This will connect 9 hectares of upstream habitat on Mearley Brook and, in time, will lead to migratory fish such as salmon, sea trout, and eels in the heart of Clitheroe and beyond. In turn this will attract other wildlife such as kingfishers, herons, and otters.
Once further funding has been secured we will also create a footpath through the site connecting Primrose Road through to Woone Lane, and Whalley Road which will not only provide a wonderful nature park for the people of Clitheroe to enjoy, but also allow pupils from the nearby St James Primary School to walk to school in a safe, traffic free environment.
For more information about the project, or to sign up for volunteer updates please visit the Primrose Community Nature Trust website.