Investment brings lasting benefits for Polmont’s green spaces
A long-term woodland management project in Polmont, led by Falkirk Council in partnership with the Green Action Trust, is helping make local woodlands safer, more accessible and better for nature with an investment of over half a million pounds.
Delivered over three phases, the Polmont Urban Woodland Management Plans have improved the resilience, biodiversity, and amenity of sites across the area. The work supports the Council’s Forest Estate Plan and follows community consultation carried out in 2018.
A wide range of improvements have been made across the seven sites, they are:
- Polmont Park - removal of invasive species, removal of dying ash trees, planting of new native trees, creation of new paths to improve access and installation of welcome signs and new seating
- Gray Buchanan Park - removal and height reduction of dangerous trees, planting of new native woodland, creation of new pathway links, resurfacing of existing woodland paths, and new welcome and interpretation signage
- Westquarter Glen - tree thinning, removal of dangerous trees and old tree shelters, improvement of paths and steps leading to the burn, replacement of damaged fencing, and new welcome and interpretation signage
- Westquarter South - removal of invasive, non-native rhododendron shrubs and pruning back vegetation from paths
- Redding Bing - planting of new native woodland, creation of new paths on existing narrow, informal routes, path resurfacing and new directional signage
- Gilston Cresent - planting of new native woodland, path resurfacing and vegetation clearance
- Polmont Woods - managing older woodland areas and resurfacing paths and steps to improve access and support biodiversity as well as installing a new picnic bench and signage.
Phases 1 and 2, completed in 2022 and 2023, saw improvements across several sites through thinning, planting, and removal of invasive non-native species such as Rhododendron. Paths were upgraded, new signage and seating installed, and native woodland habitats restored.
These phases were supported through a combination of funding from Falkirk Council, the Green Action Trust via the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, Scottish Forestry’s Woodland Improvement Grants, developer contributions, and EB Scotland - totalling over £315,000.
Councillor Paul Garner, Falkirk Council’s spokesperson for Economic Development, said:
“This project is a good example of partnership working delivering real benefits for local communities and the environment.
“By investing in woodland management, we’re not only making local woods safer and more accessible, we’re also improving biodiversity and helping to future-proof these spaces for years to come.
“This work reflects our long-term commitment to managing our green spaces in a responsible, sustainable way that responds to community needs and environmental challenges.
Phase 3, completed this year focused on Polmont Woods with the cost of improvements totalling over £205,000
Councillor Bryan Deakin, spokesperson for Climate Change added:
“Improving local woodlands is an important part of our climate response. Projects like this help tackle biodiversity loss and make our outdoor spaces more resilient to the impacts of climate change.
"They also give people better access to nature on their doorstep.
Louisa Maddison, Head of Operations from the Green Action Trust said:
The Green Action Trust is pleased to continue working with Falkirk Council on their ongoing commitment to improving woodlands for people and nature.
"These woodlands are such amazing places to spend time outdoors; improved paths and woodland quality will benefit the local communities for years to come.
"Projects like this really deliver on the Central Scotland Green Network aims to improve greenspaces for people, climate and wildlife.