Maidenhead & Windsor

Council-owned land at the York Stream in Maidenhead town centre is to get a spruce up – and the Royal Borough is calling on other landowners along the high profile local waterway to follow suit.

The stream itself is the responsibility of the Environment Agency but the council is taking action during the current planting season to help enhance the appearance of the banks in parts of the town centre.

The decision has been taken to go ahead with the scheme while Maidenhead council awaits reaction from senior level at the Environment Agency about what could be achieved for the York Stream overall in the future.

Starting next week, the works will take in borough-owned sections of the York Stream corridor between High Street, Maidenhead and York Road, including the area next to the High Street, the bank between the stream and the footpath next to Lyondell House and the area beside the library and associated open space.

The scheme, which was tendered in January with a view to being done during the 2005 autumn planting season, will include:

* strimming to reduce weeds and encourage grass growth
* clearing overgrown vegetation and replanting the areas next to High Street (the new plants will be small at first and will take time to establish themselves)
* replanting a small area adjacent to York Road, Maidenhead
* re-planting south of York Road (next to the footpath) with lower-growing species to improve the view from York Road
* planting autumn-flowering bulbs in the grass open space next to the trees near the library.

Cllr Vicky Howes, lead member for Maidenhead town centre, said: "Finding a solution to the problems with the York Stream is a key element in helping to revitalise the town centre. We are pressing hard for the Environment Agency to get actively involved with the council and other interested organisations to find a workable way forward. I believe some constructive discussions are under way and I am waiting for the outcome."

"However, the council has ongoing responsibility for its own land and we can't just sit back and wait for the big decisions on the York Stream. That's why we are forging ahead with the scheme to spruce up the aspects of the York Stream we are responsible for. While the public won't see a dramatic immediate change, the year ahead will include careful maintenance and bring a gradual improvement as the plants establish themselves."

The remainder of the York Stream corridor is the responsibility of neighbouring landowners and lessees and the council has reminded them of the need to manage and maintain their land.

Maidenhead Cllr Howes added: "We are hoping the council action will inspire other landowners to get cracking and we are issuing a call to them to do their bit to help make the York Stream a more attractive part of the town centre."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, ~ 16-Nov-2005