Work starts on new park which will open up access to the banks of the River Irwell

Work has started on a new ‘pocket park’ which will bring green space and riverside access to the heart of a town centre undergoing regeneration. Radcliffe Pocket Park is being created with £250,000 of funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and £20,000 of investment from Bury Council.

The authority said the scheme will complement the wider town centre regeneration taking place just a stone’s throw away such as the new Radcliffe Hub and Radcliffe Enterprise Centre. Next to the Irwell, just off Stand Lane, ecological features of the new park will include opening up access to the riverside, planting species along the banks and green spaces to improve habitats, and engaging the local community with making days and way finding.

Bury Council said the ‘pocket park’ would provide ‘a public space close to an urban area’. It said to finalise the design workshops were held with community groups and suggestions incorporated include sensory play equipment, accessible routes around the park and low maintenance planting, materials and planters.

Following initial clearance works, the main construction will start in late February. This will involve excavations and the installation of new paving, edging, and street furniture such as benches, bins, and play equipment.

New plant species will also be established around the park to coincide with the spring planting season. The scheme is expected to be completed in April.

While the work goes on, the Riverside car park next to the site will be temporarily closed for use as the site compound. Coun Alan Quinn, cabinet member for the environment, climate change and operations, said: “The site is ideally situated, and will be a big improvement on the current space and facilities there.

“It will