With National Allotment Week well underway (August 10-16), it has been announced that the Walsall Road Allotments in Perry Barr will be receiving a much-needed upgrade.
The work being done is thanks to McLaughlin & Harvey, the lead contractor at the Alexander Stadium redevelopment in Perry Barr.
Over the course of next week, the construction team will be upgrading one of the roads in the allotment used by The Open Doors Project, a non-profit organisation that provides outdoor activities for young people with disabilities or additional needs.
The upgrade will be delivered as part of McLaughlin & Harvey’s You Matter Communities, which provides support to local communities through volunteer time, small grants and the use of excess materials from the construction process.
Kate Millington, Director at The Open Doors Project CIC, said: “Our allotment is a much-loved space and gives the children we work with opportunities to explore nature and take part in a range of activities.
“We are excited about the re-paving of the road next to our plot as it will make access much easier for the young people who use wheelchairs or other mobility aids.”
The works to the road will go on over three to four days and involve the volunteer contributions of nine members of the Alexander Stadium redevelopment team.
Martin Keys, McLaughlin & Harvey Operations Director for the Alexander Stadium, said “You Matter Communities is about making a positive contribution to Birmingham’s communities.
“As a neighbour to the Walsall Road Allotments, we are happy to use our skills in this way and delighted that it will improve the access for the young people involved in The Open Doors Project long after we have completed the stadium project”.
Betty Farrugia, Site Manager, Walsall Road allotments, added: “We are really pleased that McLaughlin & Harvey have made this generous offer. The road upgrade will make it much safer for the young people who take part in the activities. We’ve also benefited from donations of picnic benches and some loads of topsoil from the site team which has benefitted many of the plot holders.”
Cllr Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “Our partners at McLaughlin & Harvey really impressed us with their vision for the Alexander Stadium project when they outlined their vision for becoming good neighbours and an active part of the local community.
“Through activity like this, they are making a positive difference for many people in Perry Barr and I look forward to seeing many other groups and projects benefit from their efforts in the months and years ahead.”
