Stephenson Steam Railway museum has shared plans to develop a two-acre eco-friendly Woodland Walk in North Shields from unused outdoor land on its site.
The project is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) with a grant totalling £81,426.
The redevelopment of what is currently waste land is set to include outdoor artefacts and art installations, and create a space to host more outdoor events.
Plans for the site include environmental interpretation, a heritage object trail and a covered outdoor learning space for schools and groups.
When finished, the site is hoped to attract wildlife and improve the site’s natural ecosystem, creating a nature conservation area.
Known as the Woodland Walk, it is hoped to engage local communities, including schools and volunteers from the North Tyneside Steam Railway Association (NTSRA), and offer a wider scope of activities and events for museum visitors.
The project idea came from Rob Clark and Jean Liddy, volunteers of the NTSRA, who have led its development.
Clark said: “About 18 months ago Jean and I recognised the opportunity to develop a large unused area at the Museum. We are very pleased that the National Lottery Heritage Fund funding for this project has been awarded and look forward to opening up a fascinating ecological area to the public as part of the Stephenson Steam Railway experience.”
The Museum’s volunteer team has begun to clear the site for the Woodland Walk area. North Tyneside Council ecology officers and ERIC North East (Environmental Records Information Centre) are assisting with the project.
Geoff Woodward, Museum Manager at Stephenson Steam Railway, said the Woodland walk will be “a fantastic space for outdoor events and a range of activities, and as well as telling the story of our regional railway heritage, we can also provide information about the biodiversity of the area and environmental topics.”
