Walsall fishing pool gets £40,000 boost - here's what has improved
Significant improvements have been carried out to the tune of more than £40,000 at a Walsall fishing pool to encourage more residents to get outdoors.
The work totalling £43,650 has been completed at Barns Lane Fishing Pool in Rushall in Walsall and is among a swathe of projects across the borough.
The site has benefitted from a series of upgrades throughout the year, including the installation of new accessible fishing pegs in May, pathway improvements in June, and a recent restocking of the pool. The work was carried out by volunteers from environmental company SUEZ and members of the Barns Lane Fishing Club.
Twelve fully accessible pegs were installed around the pool in a bid to make angling safer and more inclusive for residents of all ages and abilities.
This work was supported by the addition of new pathways, providing easier access and improving safety for visitors.
The pool has also recently been restocked, with species introduced by the Environment Agency to strengthen the ecological balance of the site.
Enovert contributed £37,750 to the project via the Enovert Community Trust, with a further £5,900 provided through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Councillor Gary Flint, Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing, said: “Barns Lane Fishing Pool is a valued space in the local community, and these improvements mark a significant step forward in making it more accessible, sustainable and enjoyable for everyone.
"The work carried out by volunteers, the fishing club and our partners demonstrates the real impact that collaboration can have on local places.”
Angela Haymonds, Enovert Community Trust Manager, said: “Enovert Community Trust was delighted to be able to support this project with a grant of over £37k through the Landfill Communities Fund.
“The new pathways across the site will ensure that there are no barriers to access for this wonderful oasis of wildlife in the midst of suburbia. This was a great example of a community group seeing a need and then working in partnership with the local authority to deliver a valuable community resource.
“I am sure the project will bring hours of pleasure to local fishermen and other users of this beautiful wildlife site.”
Maxine Sennett, Suez Site Manager, said: “Colleagues from SUEZ Coleshill, Wolverhampton and Landor Street sites were delighted to spend their time volunteering with Walsall Healthy Spaces to construct fishing pegs at a local fishing spot.
“The whole team had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed connecting with our local community. This also has a positive impact for SUEZ social value along with valued collaboration with Walsall Council."
As a result of the work, earlier this year the site was awarded Green Flag status, highlighting how impactful the improvements have been.
SUEZ operates the borough's recycling tips in Fryers Road, Beechdale, and Merchants Way in Aldridge.
Other recent improvement and regeneration projects in Walsall have included the restoration and return of the iconic Three Men in a Boat clock in the Saddlers Centre inspired by the book of the same name by Walsall born author Jerome K Jerome.
