Clearer signs and improved road safety were some of the ideas discussed to make a historic estate accessible to all.

As reported in The Bolton News, The Woodland Trust is inviting Bolton residents to share their views as it plans improvements to the trails and access at Smithills Estate

As part of this, representatives are holding public meetings throughout the borough about how they think the Smithills Estate should be shaped in future, using funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players.

The Estate is the largest site the trust has ever acquired in England and is steeped in history, offering a myriad of interesting walking routes.

With picturesque woodlands, popular walking trails and vast open spaces, the Smithills Estate attracts visitors from across Bolton.

The access project is to ensure the site meets the needs of residents and wildlife.

A previous consultation session (Image: Woodland Trust)

A meeting was held at Bolton Old Links Golf Club on Chorley Old Road to meet residents.

The community engagement officer, Katie Thompson, explained the purpose of the consultation to the group, before giving residents the opportunity to share their thoughts on what aspects of the green space they enjoy, what they already like about the Smithills Estate, and what changes they think should be made.

Topics included better signage indicating which paths and routes are acceptable for cyclists so they do not wander where they are not supposed to, the interesting historical aspects of the site, such as the 63 steps at Barrow Bridge, and road safety when accessing it, following the tragic deaths of two women on Colliers Row Road in January.

One resident, a mountain biker, said that he enjoyed biking on the estate, with the range of landscapes there.

He added that he finds the wildlife lovely, having seen “deer” and more.

Woodland Trust officials met with residents. L-R: Eddee Endley, George Ogden and Katie Thompson (Image: Newsquest)

For information about future consultation sessions, follow this link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/woodland-trust-north-75162025843

Speaking afterwards, Katie said: “This is different from the surveys that we did in 2022, they were more for collecting quantitative data.

“Pero estas sesiones presenciales son más porque queremos tener discusiones, obtener las opiniones de los locales y escuchar sus ideas y desarrollarlas.

“Es más colaborativo en persona, la gente tiene diferentes ideas, una persona habla, y luego otra interviene y desarrollan una idea.

“No se puede reemplazar charlar con la gente en persona.”