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ARDWICK CLIMATE ACTION
Ardwick Stepping Stones
Ardwick is one of the most deprived areas in the country, seeing little action to retain its diminishing green spaces. This has contributed to the local area seeing a loss of around 65% of local biodiversity. Ardwick Climate Action’s aims are to regenerate and rewild areas for the community, offering a series of green spaces that serve to educate and engage local people.
Ardwick Stepping Stones will establish connected green spaces between the city centre and the University of Manchester, creating new and improved habits for nature and people. The project will see residents and local groups engaged in a series of events which also highlight wider environmental concerns and raise awareness of the climate emergency.
Project 1 - Mancunian Way
At this major gateway from Piccadilly to Ardwick, five sizeable planters have been placed. The planters will contain pollution friendly plants that will serve as a natural barrier for the public against air and noise pollution along one of the city’s most used commuter routes.
Project 2 - Kale St.
Development includes the planting of suitable urban plants, hedging surrounding the boarder of the green, central tree with “pie” planting surrounding, a wildflower hummock, natural picnic pods and further enhancement of the area.
Project 3 - Trees & Bulbs In Pits
Along the central reservation from the roundabout at the Apollo venue, to the Mancunian way, 17 tree pits have now been planted with over 800 bulbs.
Project 4 - Ardwick Green Park Hedge Planting
At almost 0.5km in length, a test site was used to ensure the success of hedging along the border of the park against the A6 in 2022.
The test was successful, and the hedging will be ongoing throughout 2023. We are looking to raise additional funding to finish this project.
The test was successful, and the hedging will be ongoing throughout 2023. We are looking to raise additional funding to finish this project.
Project 5 - School Entrance at Coral St.
We planted a border with various species of plants, climbers and ivy. Two sizable square planters were also placed to discourage parking to further allow access for the school.
Project 6 - Trees on Grosvenor St.
We will be planting additional trees or natural planting along Grosvenor Street.
Project 7 - Craigwell Walk
Here, we will construct an orchard, raised vegetable and fruit beds. They will be carefully tailored for produce to become mature at various points throughout the year.
Project 8 - Lamport Court
A large wildflower meadow and bulbs will be established, with planters for residents.
Due to the semi-woodland layout to the area, woodland bulbs will be planted with a clean-up operation for regenerate the area.
Due to the semi-woodland layout to the area, woodland bulbs will be planted with a clean-up operation for regenerate the area.
Project 9 - Kincardine Road
Along a 0.2km stretch of road bordering Gartside Gardens, a wildflower meadow will be established.
Project 10 - St. Saviours Church
Project 10 is perhaps Ardwick Climate Action’s most ambitious project.
At the site of the former church, now demolished, a “future site” will be constructed.
Planned is a joint community and scientific research initiative project, bringing together The Tyndall Centre, The University of Manchester and The Museum of Manchester.
The scientific arm of the project will introduce non-native plant species for long term study for their suitability to maintain current biodiversity levels in the U.K. in the onset of climate change.
In turn, a Mediterranean garden will be created for local residents to enjoy.
At the site of the former church, now demolished, a “future site” will be constructed.
Planned is a joint community and scientific research initiative project, bringing together The Tyndall Centre, The University of Manchester and The Museum of Manchester.
The scientific arm of the project will introduce non-native plant species for long term study for their suitability to maintain current biodiversity levels in the U.K. in the onset of climate change.
In turn, a Mediterranean garden will be created for local residents to enjoy.
Project 11a - Communal Compost Bins
Communal compost bins will be placed at each site for work and residents. This will also have carbon capture properties and aid in mitigating carbon emissions by not taking waste off site.
Project 11b - Bird and Bat Boxes
Bird and bat boxes will be constructed by the community and university volunteers and placed at all sites to increase local biodiversity. Monitoring on its effects is planned.
Project 12 - Signage for Stepping Stones Sites
Each site will receive digitally interactive signage designed by a local artist in partnership with The Museum of Manchester and The University of Manchester’s Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health.
Using QR codes and translated into over 20 languages for the communities diverse population, visitors to the sites will be able access an array of information on a site-by-site basis.
All signage will highlight our partners involved, The Museum of Manchester, The University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University and Manchester City Council and provide steps to the museum in both human and dinosaur steps.
The aim is increase local participation with the establishment and highlight the museum’s new direction to help social causes, diversity and inclusivity.
Using QR codes and translated into over 20 languages for the communities diverse population, visitors to the sites will be able access an array of information on a site-by-site basis.
All signage will highlight our partners involved, The Museum of Manchester, The University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University and Manchester City Council and provide steps to the museum in both human and dinosaur steps.
The aim is increase local participation with the establishment and highlight the museum’s new direction to help social causes, diversity and inclusivity.
Project 13 - Air Quality Monitoring and Research
Our continued scientific engagements with The University of Manchester will go on throughout 2023.
Our universities lead on the project is Professor Sheena Cruickshank, the Lead for Public Engagement with Research and a core academic at the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, specialising in immunology.
We have received the first two pager on the effects of the A6 road closure on the 2nd of October, with a more expansive report expected later in the month. The report is being undertaken by PHD students as their doctoral thesis and is expected to highlight the effects of air pollution on the local community and provide a blueprint for the effects of air pollution at large.
Continued monitoring will also be undertaken throughout the year, including:
- Air quality monitoring will be happing at Medlock Primary School.
- Air monitoring stations to be placed across the community.
- Monitoring on long-term health impacts of pollution through non-
invasive methods.
Our universities lead on the project is Professor Sheena Cruickshank, the Lead for Public Engagement with Research and a core academic at the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, specialising in immunology.
We have received the first two pager on the effects of the A6 road closure on the 2nd of October, with a more expansive report expected later in the month. The report is being undertaken by PHD students as their doctoral thesis and is expected to highlight the effects of air pollution on the local community and provide a blueprint for the effects of air pollution at large.
Continued monitoring will also be undertaken throughout the year, including:
- Air quality monitoring will be happing at Medlock Primary School.
- Air monitoring stations to be placed across the community.
- Monitoring on long-term health impacts of pollution through non-
invasive methods.
World Record Attempt
At the start of the 2023/24 academic year, a community world record attempt to plant bulbs in the following categories will be attempted/considered:
- Most bulbs planted in 1 hour, current record: 41,089
- Most bulbs planted by an individual in 1 hour, current record: 2019
- Most people planting bulbs simultaneously, current record: 1463
- Most bulbs planted in 1 hour, current record: 41,089
- Most bulbs planted by an individual in 1 hour, current record: 2019
- Most people planting bulbs simultaneously, current record: 1463
Britain in Bloom
We have submitted the overall project, Stepping Stones, to Britain in Bloom for non-competitive entry in, It’s Your Neighbourhood.
Community Tool Hire
Ardwick Climate Action have identified a major barrier to uptake in local green spaces. Lack of access to equipment due to economic barriers is key reason for lack of community engagement. To mitigate this, we will be establishing a community tool hire shop, allowing local residents to access tools for free.
Road Crossing on A6
Throughout 2023, Ardwick Climate Action will be lobbying for the construction of four road crossings on a stretch of the A6 running from the Apollo to the Mancunian Way.
Currently, only two are accessible separated by around 1km. In our opinion, this is inadequate due to Medlock Primary School and Ardwick Green Park sitting in the middle of the stretch of road along the A6.
The lack of safe crossing areas needs to be corrected for the safety of Ardwick and Brunswick residents, as well as the children attending the primary school and accessing the park.
Currently, only two are accessible separated by around 1km. In our opinion, this is inadequate due to Medlock Primary School and Ardwick Green Park sitting in the middle of the stretch of road along the A6.
The lack of safe crossing areas needs to be corrected for the safety of Ardwick and Brunswick residents, as well as the children attending the primary school and accessing the park.
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