The project was initiated in 1978, and currently comprises a Warden Service which manages 30 sites, covering 342 ha, on behalf of Manchester City Council and Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council. The project is overseen by a Joint Committee comprising elected representatives of these two authorities, and officers of the Environment Agency.
The Valley extends westwards from Didsbury in East Manchester, through to
Jack Lane Nature Reserve near the Manchester Ship Canal in Flixton. For most
of its length the Valley forms a wide flood plain bounded by low ridges and
terraces, rich in wetland, meadow and emergent woodland.
These are:
The two managing local authorities jointly fund the project proportional to the amount of land managed by the Warden Service. In order to complete its budget, and to undertake improvement works within the Valley, the Warden Service also seeks to secure additional funding from outside sources, or from its partners.
The Warden Service is responsible for undertaking the day-to-day running of the project, and reports to the Joint Committee. It achieves this by undertaking the following main roles:
These services are co-ordinated from the Mersey Valley Visitor Centre located at Sale Water Park, which houses a staffed display area, public toilets, meeting room and cafe. Accessible visitor information is available in the form of printed material, a website and through Information Wardens. Design of the website, Visitor Centre exhibitions, information boards, signage and leaflets are undertaken in-house and in collaboration with outside designers . A key role of the Warden Service is also to organise a series of events and activities for the public in and around the Valley. In 2001/02 the following key Visitor projects were undertaken:
These services are provided by two Education Wardens who work with groups throughout the Valley, and provide a free environmental education service to schools. Sessions are tailored to suit a teacher’s requirements, and the service is heavily subscribed. In 2001/02 the following were achieved:
Land management activities throughout the Valley are carried out by five Estates Wardens. Water Park Wardens at Chorlton Water Park also undertake land management duties. Estate work includes not only the regular grounds maintenance, repairs and litter collection which is undertaken regularly on each site, but also projects to upgrade and improve them. In 2001/02 a number of additional projects were undertaken, including:
A series of new developments are scheduled within Mersey Valley for the year
2002/03, in addition to normal access maintenance and Visitor provision.
These are:
2001/02 was once again a successful year for the Service, which saw an increased trend towards improvements in the infrastructure of the Mersey Valley, largely due the added value of targeted income into the Valley, to finance major project works. Upgraded vehicles and working equipment have facilitated the efficiency of the process.
Elements of the Interpretive Plan have also started to be implemented, which over the next few years will produce significant overhauls in terms of signage, panels, visitor information provision and Valley literature. This will allow improved public access to information about the Valley.
Systemic changes relating to improved IT and the Best Value process are also underway. It is thus likely that the both the efficiency, targeting and recording of Valley operations will become more precise over the coming year.
| Projected budget | MCC contribution | 249,000 |
| TMBC contribution | 170,270 | |
| Other income | 73,170 | |
| TOTAL | 492170 | |
| Actual budget | MCC contribution | 249,000 |
| TMBC contribution | 174,730 | |
| TOTAL | 516900 | |
| Expenditure | Employees | 397,590 |
| Premises | 31,330 | |
| Transport | 20,090 | |
| Access | 12,470 | |
| Land Mgt | 12,180 | |
| Visitor Mgt | 11,570 | |
| Project Mgt | 31,670 | |
| TOTAL | 516900 |
| Public Events | 56 | People - 1559 |
| Private Events | 28 | People - 917 |
| School Visits | 81 | People 2887 - Schools |
| Manchester City Council | |
| Member | Deputy |
| Cllr. Fender | Cllr. Burns |
| Cllr. Franklin | Cllr. Freeman |
| Cllr. Morrison | Cllr. Swannick |
| Cllr. Whitmore | Cllr. Sandiford |
| Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council | |
| Member | Deputy |
| Cllr. Crosbie | Cllr. Ackerley |
| Cllr. Eadie | Cllr. Rigby |
| Cllr. Gratrix | Cllr. Jarman |
| Cllr. Griffin | Cllr. Kanes |
| The Environment Agency | |
| Ms. Gill Dent | Mr. Robert Duff |
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