Wishaw Community Priorities Highlights 26/27

A Local Development Programme proposal application was submitted by Branchalwood Estate Community Group supported by the Community Partnership Officer, seeking support for a project to make environmental improvements to the natural heritage nature walk from the entrance at Lyman Drive. 

There have been two phases to this project including pathways improvements, a new noticeboard and nature signage. The nature walk runs through a mature, estate woodlands, which provides a home for wildlife and a host of trees and plants.The area provides walking and leisure opportunities for the local community in a beautiful woodland setting. 

The Community Partnership Officer and Projects Officer engaged and consulted with the wider community along with several site visit meetings, walking with the community group, detailing the pathway improvements and to ensure the desired design aspects and features of the nature signs were achieved.  

There is a small play area situated in the woods at the entrance of this walkway. This play area was replaced and upgraded by the Community Partnership Team in early 2025, where children and families can now enjoy the new play and sensory equipment for young children installed with a fitting design to the nature woodland where it is embedded.  

Local school children participated in design workshops where the local Community Partnership Officer consulted on the design aspects of the play area and design-a-sign workshops for the new play area signage.

The first phase of this project commenced at the end of August 2024 and completed at the end of September 2024. The resurfacing of the pathways including widening of some parts, installation of drainage in an area prone to overflow of rain resulting in wet muddy areas, and enhancement of the seated area, enhanced the woodland walkway for all to enjoy. Used by many dog walkers, or as a through-path from Lyman Drive, leading to Coltness Road by local residents, and families enjoying the nature on their doorstep. The new notice board provides the community with a platform to share and promote community activities and involvement and is well used by the active community group. 

New Communication and BSL boards were also commissioned as part of a pilot and consultation at Lyman Drive play area. These are now displayed within the play area to support young children and children and young people with communications differences to enjoy their visit.

The second phase has welcomed the completion of the nature signage throughout the woodland walk, providing an educational and interesting element to all including children and families while using the woodland, and for teachers from local schools and Family Learning Centres who use this improved asset for forest school and outdoor learning.

The projects aim to encourage more people from the community to walk in the woods, to be closer to the natural environment and to support their overall health and wellbeing has been achieved, linking well with Local Outcome Improvement Plan (LOIP) priorities for the Wishaw Community Board, Community Engagement, Environment and Mental Health & Wellbeing.