A former industrial wasteland which is now a nationally important
site for rare wildlife such as willow tit and bittern is set to
become one of England’s largest urban nature reserves.
The Flashes of Wigan and Leigh - a 738-hectare area of
species-rich wetland, meadows and woodlands - will today (3
October) join England’s network of National Nature Reserves.
The designation, which will be the first in the Greater
Manchester area, recognises the incredible transformation of the
Flashes over the last 100 years. Lakes formed as a result of
mining subsidence became home to wildlife like the ‘booming
bittern’ as natural recolonisation and large-scale reclamation
works healed the scars of industry.
The former industrial landscape is declared not only for its
importance in protecting wildlife and natural capital but for its
recreational value to the community. It is hoped the site, which
is home to a variety of pursuits from fishing to cycling, nature
walks and birdwatching, will provide new opportunities for
sustainable tourism and visits from local residents and those
further afield.
The new protected reserve will create an oasis for nature, with
Wigan also now recognised as one of the greenest urban boroughs
in the United Kingdom. The mosaic of shallow open water and
wetland habitats (swamp, reedbed, tall herb fen, wet marshy
grassland and wet woodland) supports a rich diversity of birds
and other species. This includes over 52 pairs of willow tit,
accounting for approximately 2% of England’s population, as well
as the heron-like bittern, water voles and great crested
newts.
Natural England Chief Executive, Marian Spain
said:
“National Nature Reserves help reconnect people with our natural
world, providing much needed opportunities to explore our
incredible landscape for our health and wellbeing.
“A healthy natural environment and economic growth go hand in
hand. By working together to build strong partnerships such as
those we see here in the Flashes of Wigan and Leigh, we can
provide space for rare species and provide vital greenspace. That
will make Wigan and Leigh great places to live and great places
to do business in, so helping to attract inward investment.
“The unique wetlands in Wigan and Leigh were forged by nature
reclaiming former industrial land. Today’s designation
demonstrates how it is possible to reverse the decline in
nature.”
Nature underpins the British economy with our natural capital
estimated in 2019 to be worth £1.2 trillion. The site will
benefit over 300,000 people who live locally to the area, making
sure communities and young people have accessible outdoor space
for health, recreation, and wellbeing.
Working in partnership with communities has been key to realising
this new National Nature Reserve. Declared by Natural England
with Wigan Council, Lancashire Wildlife Trust and Forestry
England, the NNR brings together a total of 13 sites, including
Wigan Flashes, Amberswood, Three Sisters, and Bickershaw Country
Park. It also includes Viridor woodland, planted by Forestry
England just over 20 years ago.
National Nature Reserves were established to protect some of the
most important habitats for vulnerable species, and to provide
‘outdoor laboratories’ for research. They create vital
opportunities for the public, schools, and specialist interest
groups to experience wildlife first-hand and to learn more about
nature conservation .
This year is the 70th anniversary of the creation
of England’s first nature reserve - highlighting a long history
of restoring nature and helping to bring green space and wildlife
to everyone.
There are now 220 National Nature Reserve sites, spanning a
total of more than 103,000 hectares. These nature hotspots
are key to efforts to restore nature across
England, and will play a key role in the nation’s nature
recovery network in line with the Government’s key target to
halt the decline in wildlife populations by 2030.
