A major Health Trail project linking green spaces across New Invention and Short Heath appears to be back on track following pressure by Willenhall Liberal Democrats.

The scheme promoted by Liberal Democrats came under threat after Labour took control of Walsall Council back in August.

The trail will start and end at Rough Wood and will link up Green Spaces in Hawthorne Rd, Littleton Road, The Community Green on the Lichfield Road with the area back of The Square and out onto the Coppice Farm Neighbourhood Park, along the Lichfield Road, down Broad Lane to link up with the Wyrley and Essington Canal on its way back to the Rough Wood Country Park.

Walsall’s new Labour administration has reduced the amount being spent over all on the project so not everything that was planned will actually see the light of day, but the outdoor gym will be going in on Short Heath Park in Hawthorne Road. A number of badly worn footpaths along the route will also get renewed.

Welcoming Labour’s U-turn Liberal Democrat councillor Ian Shires said ” It’s good to see this project get the go ahead even with its reduced specification.

“Our area has some really good green spaces. By improving the links between them and adding attractions such as outdoor gyms we will be able to encourage people to be more mobile which in turn will help to improve general health in our area.”

Ian was out on site this morning viewing the plans for Short Heath Park and footpaths on Coppice Farm Way Neighbourhood Park