City residents are invited to give their views on ways to develop and protect the wildlife, heritage and natural beauty of Smestow Valley Local Nature Reserve.
The online consultation is looking at the reasons why people visit the nature reserve, why it is important to them and how it can be improved to benefit all communities across the city.
It is also exploring how to best protect and promote the unique historic features at the valley and how to improve signage and information about all aspects of heritage across the site.
As well as the online survey, in-person consultations are gathering opinions on improving access into and throughout the site. The results will then help inform the next phase of the ongoing project to Explore, Enhance, Protect and Promote Smestow Valley Local Nature Reserve.
Last year, City of Wolverhampton Council, together with partners Canal & River Trust and Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust, secured funding of £217,000 from The Heritage Lottery Fund to develop plans for a full application of around £2million to be submitted in 2026.
If the application for this delivery phase is successful, renovation of the much-loved Meccano bridge is planned, along with other structures linked to the disused railway line which forms the main path through Smestow Valley.
Gathering views and opinions through the consultation will be essential in helping to secure funding to deliver these future improvements. It will also help to share the heritage of the valley with a wider audience.
During the initial development phase, the council has worked with partners Canal & River Trust and Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust as well as the Wildside Activity Centre, Friends of Smestow Valley and Waterside Care.
This partnership approach has seen a wide range of activity at the site, including improvements to the canal towpath, planting wildflower meadows, restoring historic ponds and hedges and planting native flowers including bluebells and wild garlic.
These activities, which were funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, helped develop a range of volunteering opportunities as well as an approach to volunteering for the future.
Over time, the whole project at Smestow Valley aims to increase engagement through school visits, heritage-focused volunteering opportunities, biodiversity enhancements, community events, artwork and interpretation as well as online information.
Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, cabinet member for resident services at City of Wolverhampton Council, said: “Smestow Valley is a real hidden gem in the city and we’d love anyone who enjoys visiting it to come forward and give their thoughts on how it can be developed and protected for the future.
“The nature reserve has a unique place in the region’s industrial heritage, and we’ve been delighted to have the opportunity to work with a range of committed partners and local people during the development phase.
“But now we need residents to give their thoughts on how we can further improve Smestow Valley. By completing the survey, people will be able to share with us how they use the valley and what they would like to see in the future.
“Please take a few minutes to complete this important survey to help us develop this historical open space for a wide variety of plants and wildlife, improve access for local residents and open up the site for everyone to enjoy.”
Complete the survey and enter the prize draw to win one of three Enjoy Wolverhampton gift card (terms and conditions apply). Take the survey at https://consultation.wolverhampton.gov.uk/cwc/svlnr
To find out about the latest activities at the valley and how to get involved visit the Facebook page or sign up to the newsletter.
To request a guided tour of the site, contact Enquiries.Parks@wolverhampton.gov.uk
Smestow Valley and rail network is a 4.5km long site, which forms part of the Black Country UNESCO Global Geopark and has a rich history dating back to Anglo-Saxon times. It provides visitors with opportunities for healthy activities including walking, cycling and boating.
