In 2014 we started the management and clearance of the Radbourne Walk using local volunteers. Our future plans are to manage the current native and introduced plants in the walk. The walk requires regular maintenance from brambles and stinging nettles that grow onto the path area causing a nuisance for users. The path also becomes laden with leaves and branches from overhanging trees, including willow and sycamore, at various times of the year which need to be removed.
The plan includes the regeneration of native plants on the walk which has become dominated by stinging nettle and green alkanet with the introduction of local native species and native bulbs and biennials.
We want to make the walk a haven for wildlife and a safer place to walk

What we'll deliver:

• Remove/reduce the overgrown sycamore trees and replace them with...
• Add low level lighting to this unlit right of way
• Increase the number and diversity of native species and plants beneficial to wildlife
• Increase the number of loggeries for our stag horn beetles
• Install a composting toilet with disabled access
• Lay a new path along the whole length of the Radbourne Walk
• More suitable native hedgerow species in the hedge around the allotment

Why it's a great idea:

The Radbourne Walk is a popular path - used by residents of Ealing. Many people walk and cycle along the path which is in need of replacement. We have shown already that with the use of local volunteers we can make improvements to the Walk making it a pleasant place for people and wildlife.

Our sycamore trees have outgrown the space causing a nuisance to local residents. Copicing and removal of the sycamores would bring more light into the area and would be greatly appreciated by the residents of Loveday Road.

However for every sycamore we remove we want to replace it with a more suitable hedgerow tree (on the allotment).

Planting a mixed hedge with native species will provide huge benefit to the local wildlife. Hedges offer cover to a wide range of animals and insects. It provides safe nesting areas for birds. The bases of hedges provide nesting sites for bumblebees and hedgehogs. Their foliage provides food for caterpillars which in turn will feed birds and their chicks.

Steps to get it done:

• Our volunteer group will be available for some of the planting.
• We will employ someone one day a month to maintain the area
• We have asked a local garden designer to quote for laying a new path and lighting
• We will get advice from a professional hedge layer
• We will source native hedgerow plants