Thursday 23 July 2009

Not so green flag Bute park,

Leader under fire over park politics claims

Green party activists oppose road for articulated lorries in Bute Park! No surprise! Councillor Berman

said he and deputy council leader Neil McEvoy had recognised a number of the Bute Parks

Campaigners at a recent meeting as party members, including former Green Party candidate Anne Greagsby!

City park retains its Green Flag

BUTE Park has retained its Green Flag status despite the threat of new road access hanging over the Grade I listed parklands, it was revealed today.

Judges have given the city centre parklands the award alongside three other Cardiff parks, Roath Park, Victoria Park and Grange Gardens.

In order to achieve Green Flag status the judges needed to be satisfied that all the parks met key criteria for access, safety, conservation, heritage, community involvement and overall management.

Judges visited all the parks and spoke to both staff and public before reaching their decisions.

Councillor Nigel Howells, executive member leisure, said: “I am delighted that four Cardiff parks have been awarded Green Flags.

“I think the quality of green spaces in this city is unrivalled and this award underlines the hard work Cardiff council has undertaken in preserving and maintaining our parks.

“With Bute Park in particular I am especially delighted as the judges were given details about our improved access plans as well as the £5.6m restoration project, supported by a £3.1m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, to restore, enhance and help people learn about the many historic features in the park.”

The proposed work in Bute Park has provoked a campaign by users of the park who have argued that a £1.4m lorry bridge and expanded roadways in the park further encroach on Victorian parklands that have been shrinking steadily for the last 50 years.

The Green Flag Award is the national standard for parks and green spaces in England and Wales.

Send you views on this award to the Green Flag Award:-
paul.todd@keepbritaintidy.org, lorraine.scanlon@keepbritaintidy.org,
tijen.onder@keepbritaintidy.org

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