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Bluebell Woods - Johnstone
Home > Services > Environment and Planning > Planning > Trees, Nature Conservation and Greenspace
The Council and its partners want to encourage more people to get out and enjoy the countryside.
We want to create networks of properly constructed paths and tracks around towns, with signposts so you know where you are going - and how to get back again, preferably by a different route.
We want to create networks of properly constructed paths and tracks around towns, with signposts so you know where you are going - and how to get back again, preferably by a different route.
What have we achieved?
On the southern edge of Johnstone, we have created a path network running from people’s doorsteps in Johnstone Castle out through Bluebell Woods and up onto the hills beyond. Between 1996 and 2002, we created 6km of new paths and upgraded 3km of existing paths.
The new path network provides a variety of opportunities for walking - from short routes in Bluebell Woods to walk the dog for a few minutes after work, to longer walks up to the hills beyond for those who want a longer jaunt. You can even continue over the hill to Neilston if you want a big challenge !
Our work has not been restricted to path upgrading. Other associated countryside improvements include measures to reduce fly-tipping, repair damaged fencing, and fell dangerous trees beside paths.
A total of almost £200,000 has been invested in the path network. The Council contributed £63,000, less than one third of the total project cost and working out as only approximately £10,000 per year. The remaining £137,000 came from Scottish Natural Heritage, Shanks McEwan, Renfrewshire Environmental Trust, the Forestry Commission, and the Millennium Forest for Scotland Trust.
Working together
The project has been led by the Planning and Transport Department but we could not have achieved all that we have without working in partnership with others including local community groups and landowners.
Partnership working allowed us to build more paths and manage more woodland. It provided other benefits too, such as job training for the unemployed through the New Deal programme, and greater awareness in the local community of the woodland on their doorstep.
Our Partners
Landowners: The project area is almost entirely owned by the Council and Elderslie Estates. We worked closely with Elderslie Estates and other landowners and would like to acknowledge their positive support.
Funders: Millennium Forest for Scotland Trust, Scottish Natural Heritage, Forestry Commission, Shanks McEwan, the Scottish Greenbelt Company - each of these provided significant funding as well as expert assistance.
Community Involvement: The local Church of the Latter Day Saints, 6th Johnstone Brownies, Auchenlodment Primary School, Renfrewshire Conservation Volunteers, and residents from Johnstone Castle and Cochrane Castle took part in woodland management, habitat improvement and litter picking. The Council’s Community Service Unit did valuable maintenance work with Renfrewshire offenders undertaking community service.
Education: The woodland provides a valuable resource for environmental education. Schoolchildren from Auchenlodment Primary School were involved at the start of the project in 1996, and designed the colourful signboard by Beith Road and Rannoch Road. Both Auchenlodment and St Andrews Primary Schools took part in bulb planting and wildlife orienteering on the launch day for the project in October 2001. The Council’s Ranger Service, Sustainable Communities Project and Access Officer have been involved on a number of occasions, and regularly use the woods and paths for environmental education and guided walks.
Job Training: One of the Council’s contractors Action Environment Limited used local long-term unemployed people on the New Deal ‘training for work’ programme, giving them a start back towards employment. The trainees received skills, experience and qualifications to help them back into the job market. Local residents got a well-constructed path which is excellent value for money.
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