Woolton Hill boardwalk reopened after six month restoration project

A project to refurbish a popular woodland trail costing tens of thousands of pounds has been completed in North Hampshire.

Hampshire county councillor Kirsty North cut the ribbon and declared the 360 metre boardwalk officially open at a ceremony attended by more than 35 people in Woolton Hill on Friday (June 20).

The boardwalk, which connects Trade Street and Fullers Lane, is used by 40 to 50 people on average every day.

READ MORE: Huge project to restore popular boardwalk in Woolton Hill almost complete

The Woolton Hill schools are already planning to use the new route, widely known for its display of wild daffodils, for regular educational trips.

Work on the boardwalk started last year and was led by a team of volunteers and rangers under Hampshire County Council’s countryside services and East Woodhay Parish Council.

Chair of East Woodhay Parish Council Paul Hurst emphasised the importance of the boardwalk in giving access to an important part of the village’s natural environment.

He said the parish council will also be working with the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, which has already visited the boardwalk, to increase peoples’ knowledge of the environment.

Mr Hurst then thanked all those who made the project work possible, especially the volunteers who had spent countless hours in muddy conditions during the winter.

Ms North described how various groups had provided funds to purchase more cost-effective recycled plastic supports and timber boards to ensure the structure’s long term survival.

She added that a people counter has been installed at one end of the boardwalk, with one particularly sunny Sunday seeing 150 users in a single day.

Refreshments were provided by East Woodhay Parish Council.