Forterra funds new footbridge at Warwickshire nature reserve

Leading building products manufacturer Forterra has made a significant donation of £3,500 to purchase a new footbridge within a nature reserve near its Hams Hall site in Warwickshire.

The footbridge is one of two that was erected on the site and was organised in partnership with Lea Marston Parish Council, Prologis, who contributed to the purchase of the second bridge, and Warwickshire Wildlife Trust.

Hams Hall Environmental Studies nature reserve, called Ladywalk Nature Reserve, sits within the Tame Valley Wetlands on the outskirts of Birmingham which has a wide variety of habitats that host a rich diversity of wildlife and rare species. The landscape is recognised as a Nature Improvement Area (NIA), a key place for large area conservation and partnership working, and is part of a ‘Living Landscape’. Lea Marston Parish Council has given Warwickshire Wildlife Trust a long-term lease to use and manage the area to deliver the Tame Valley Wetlands Partnership project.

Forterra’s new footbridge is situated over a brook that runs through the nature reserve and ensures that the land is accessible to enable visitors of all abilities to enjoy exploring the site.

Delivering the project was a mixed group of volunteers who came together to erect the bridges as part of an ‘Impact Day’ in May, organised as a joint effort by Prologis, Forterra, Lea Marston Parish Council and Warwickshire Wildlife Trust.

Parish Council Chair, Councillor Bob Bryson said, “I very much hope that Forterra’s donation is the start of a productive partnership that protects and enhances our local ecology for the good of our wildlife, residential and business community. Lea Marston Parish Council are grateful for Forterra’s enthusiasm to join our Hams Hall Nature Reserve Partnership”.

Caroline Wildman, Marketing Director at Forterra said, “Our Hams Hall site is a beautiful location and protecting the environment is an important cause. It’s fantastic to see the renovation and continued efforts to protect this nature reserve and we’re glad the new footbridge will contribute to those efforts.”

The Forterra Community Fund gives charities, clubs, groups and societies the opportunity to apply for funding or building products to be used in projects that make a positive contribution to their local community.

To apply to the fund, please visit https://www.forterra.co.uk/about-us/community/community-fund/.

Details about the Tame Valley Wetlands Partnership and Warwickshire Wildlife Trust can be found at this link: http://www.tamevalleywetlands.co.uk/