Facilities at Hampshire and IOW Wildlife Trust Swanwick Lakes have been significantly improved thanks to help from two organisations, Amey and Lockhams Construction.
After 20 years of use, the pathways at the charity’s centre at Swanwick Lakes had become worn and difficult to use. The work done by Amey and Lockhams will ensure visitors can fully access the facilities. A team of sixteen led by Chris Lucie from Amey and Conrad Collins from Lockhams prepared and then laid over 400 square metres of path ways.
The nature reserve includes scenic lakes, woods and grassland, created by nature from abandoned clay workings. Woodland has grown up on spoil heaps and wildflowers abound in original and planted meadows. It provides a valuable space for people to relax and learn about wildlife and is regularly used by schools and charities.
Dawn Preston from Hampshire and IOW Wildlife Trust commented “We’re delighted with all the work that Amey and Lockhams have done. The work has been a real success and there will be a huge improvement in our visitor’s experience of the Lakes for many years to come”
Every Amey employee can spend a day volunteering with a charity or community group of their choice as part of its community engagement programme. Over 60% of Amey’s local workforce in Hampshire has used their day during 2015 to make a difference to the local community.
David Fawcett , Customer Services manager for Hampshire Highways with Amey, said: “We were delighted to assist Hampshire and IOW Trust and hopefully the many visitors to the centre will benefit from the work completed. Our employees always enjoy taking part in community projects and this activity in particular has proved very rewarding for all those involved. We were very pleased to be joined by Lockhams Construction who brought their expertise to the project.”
Conrad Collins from Lockhams commented “The team enjoyed working together, and using their skills to make a real difference to this well-loved area, and we’re delighted to have made such a visible improvement to the Lakes”
At the completion of the works the teams were thanked by Dawn and Cllr Woodward at a “celebration “event held at the Centre. Refreshments were kindly provided by NATS , long-time supporters of the centre.
Materials for the work were financed using Hampshire County Council grants provided by Councillors Sean Woodward , Peter Latham and Keith Evans. Councillor Woodward commented “This is another great example of the on-going commitment of Hampshire Council and Amey working together to support and improve the local community. The involvement of Lockhams Construction worked very well. Families and visitors will benefit from improved facilities for many years”
Amey delivers highways and winter maintenance services on behalf of Hampshire County Council.