Paddington canalside to get major green makeover

The Westbourne Green canalside open space, which stretches from Harrow Road to St Mary Magdalene’s Church, will boast a network of pedestrian and cycle paths to improve access along the canal.

The site will also host an interactive Green Campus providing a range of environmental learning activities, including a ‘human sundial’, outdoor classroom opportunities, a butterfly garden, and a mooring point for an educational barge.

Transforming an "unloved and unused" part of the city

Dr Leith Penny, Westminster Council's Director of Environment and Leisure said: "This is an incredibly exciting project which will transform an unloved and unused part of the city into a valuable green space for everyone to enjoy. We are keen to bring open spaces into public use whenever possible and assist in working with the local community to improve the environment, which helps improve the quality of life for both residents and visitors, and helps encourage biodiversity."

Mark Blackwell, business development manager for British Waterways London said: “Most of the land that adjoins the canals is owned by councils and private landowners and the quality to which they maintain this land has a real impact on people’s perception of the waterways. We are pleased to see that Westminster City Council is investing in improvements to its land adjacent to the Grand Union Canal and would be delighted if more canalside landowners and local authorities were to take their lead.”

Westminster Council is working in conjunction with environmental charity, Groundwork, and the Westbourne Neighbourhood Forum to complete the transformation, which is expected to be finished by July 2008. Transport for London (TfL) has provided £150,000 of funding to the project as part of a Cycling on Greenways Grant.