Bickenhill (Routes D, E and F) including Marston Green, will be a hub of activity for the Wildlife Ways project.

From March 2019 to November 2020, over 180 trees including sweet chestnut, apple and hornbeam will be planted across the area. Over 200,000 crocus, primrose, snowdrop, daffodil and allium bulbs will also be planted, while 14,000 square metres of wildflower turf will be laid.

Our teams are working on a section of Route D on Coleshill Heath Road between Bickenhill Road and Chester Road. These works include an inspection of existing foliage and any trimming back where necessary followed by widening of the footway and a new crossing point. The works along the section of Route D along Bickenhill Road between Elm Farm Avenue and Lyndon Croft/Low Brook Culvert are completed.

We have also completed Route F. We made footpath improvements between Gloucester Way and Coleshill Road and in Marston Green Park. On nearby Moorend Avenue crocus have bloomed, wildflowers have been added and new trees planted.

A section of Route C is continuing in Bickenhill along Damson Parkway. This will involve widening of the footway. You can view the traffic management plan on https://wildlifeways.co.uk/area/bickenhill/

This autumn (2020) we will be laying out wildflower turf and planting bulbs, primroses and some trees around Hampton Lane. The wildflower areas will be treated early September in preparation for laying later September or in October. Please bear with us as the ground will turn brown for a little while.

These works form part of a borough-wide project which is designed to make Solihull greener. Part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, the project will open up and improve existing routes, allowing wildlife to flourish and helping people to walk and cycle across the borough.

Our contractors, Balfour Beatty, will be widening and connecting existing paths and cycle routes with green spaces whilst idverde will be planting 800 trees, 3.5 million bulbs, wildflower turf and grass seed.