News on HS2 in Staffs

Today saw more projects awarded funding as part of the HS2 Community and Business Funds. To date, over £1.9m of funding has been awarded across the Phase One route.

In Staffordshire, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust has received £75,000 from the Community and Environment Fund.

The Wolseley Centre is run by the Trust and features 26 acres of accessible wildlife habitat, an education centre used by school groups and a small retail and refreshments area.

The funding, linked to Phase One of HS2, will upgrade visitor facilities at the centre by:

• re-modelling the existing building to create a 60+ cover cafe, as well as improved retail space • improving accessibility to complete a circular path around the site with a flat gradient for wheelchairs and buggies • creating a feature double width boardwalk bridge providing stunning lakeside views • upgrading the toilet facilities, including upgraded facilities for disabled visitors • upgrading the car parking provision • constructing of an education classroom for use by school and community groups • delivering a series of mini-projects around the site to enhance habitat diversity and increase opportunities for visitors to experience native wildlife

You can find out more about Staffordshire Wildlife Trust by visiting www.staffs-wildlife.org.uk

The community and business funds are administered and managed by independent community charity, Groundwork UK. For more information on Groundwork and the funds themselves click here.

You can also see an interactive map showing all of the projects awarded funding so far by clicking here.