Residents and garden lovers are invited to a celebratory event to help plant the new Lockkeepers’ Cottage community garden at Glade Lane Canalside Park/Norwood Bottom Lock.

London’s Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy, Mete Coban, and Councillor Blerina Hashani, the council’s cabinet member for thriving communities, will meet with members of the Southall community, on Saturday 14 September, to celebrate the Southall Wellbeing Way project.

Family fun

The day promises to be one packed of family fun including canal boat trips, a tour of the new wetland in Glade Lane Canalside Park, Bhangra dancing, wellbeing activities and much more. Activities take place from 11.30am to 4pm at Glade Lane Canalside Park.

Launched in July 2022 by the council, in collaboration with the Canal and River Trust and Catalyst Housing Association, and supported by the council’s Let’s Go Southall programme, the Southall Wellbeing Way project connects unused green spaces in Southall to the Grand Union Canal.

Thanks to huge investment local canals and towpaths have been transformed to create safer, quicker and more pleasant routes for walking, cycling, exercising and relaxing, in line with the council’s commitment to climate action.

Celebrate the improvements

Ealing Council leader, Peter Mason said: “The Southall Wellbeing Way project has come full circle, and we can now celebrate the improvements made over the past two years. The investment we have made to improve the canal ways and green spaces shows our commitment to tackle the climate crisis by providing the community with safer, quicker and more pleasant routes for walking, cycling, exercising and relaxing. These new spaces will increase the biodiversity of the area and provide a space for the whole community to enjoy.”

Councillor Hashani said: “The new community garden is a fantastic example of the community coming together to share their passion about the environment. Through Let’s go Southall and working with the Canal and River trust, we can continue to give the community access to much-needed green spaces and nature.”

To find out more, visit the Canal and River Trust website.