Council’s commitment to environment grows with West Park tree planting
Walking and Cycling Project.
Last updated: 25/02/2025.
Erewash Borough Council is demonstrating its ongoing commitment to environmental enhancement by planting new trees in West Park, Long Eaton this month.
This initiative will further enrich the park's landscape and provide a variety of benefits for visitors and the local ecosystem.
The diverse selection of trees includes Walnut, Sweetgum, Cherry Blossom, and Copper Beech, carefully chosen to add visual interest and ecological value to the park. This planting project emphasises the council's dedication to maintaining and improving green spaces for the community to enjoy.
Councillor Mark Alfrey, Lead Member for Environment at Erewash Borough Council, says:
“We are delighted to enhance West Park with these new trees This initiative reflects our commitment to environmental sustainability and reinforces our promise to replace every removed tree with a new planting. These new trees will not only enhance the park's beauty but also contribute to a healthier environment for everyone."
This planting project complements ongoing tree management works within West Park. While some mature trees are being removed as part of necessary maintenance and to accommodate the Long Eaton Town Deal Broad Street Bridge and Waterfront project, they will be replaced with new trees once the tree and landscaping plan for that project is finalised. This ensures an increase in the number of trees and contributes to the long-term health and vitality of the park.
West Park, the largest park in Erewash, is a popular destination for residents and visitors alike. Home to the weekly 5km Parkrun, the park boasts a wide range of outdoor sports and recreational facilities and hosts numerous events throughout the year. Recent improvements, including new footpath lighting and the completion of an events field and car park as part of the Long Eaton Town Deal, further enhance the park's appeal.
This tree planting initiative is part of Erewash Borough Council’s broader mission to plant 2,250 trees across the borough by March.
Long Eaton Town Deal projects progressing, delivering community benefits.
Town Deal Updates.
Last updated: 17/02/2024.
Erewash Borough Council and the Long Eaton Town Deal Board are pleased to provide an update on the progress of the £25 million Long Eaton Town Deal projects.
Significant strides have been made across the programme, with two projects already completed and others advancing through key phases, including a £10 million upgrade to the High Street.
It’s been more than five years since this money was awarded, but that’s been spent doing hard-work behind the scenes – by the council and its many partners – to get it to this point.
The completed West Park lighting scheme and the new Events Space are already providing tangible benefits to the community. The Galaxy Row cinema is planned to be demolished this spring, and work on the £10 million High Street upgrade will start in the autumn.
These successes demonstrate the commitment to delivering high-quality projects that enhance Long Eaton.
"It’s really exciting that we now get to unveil this stuff, with so many of the projects – especially the bigger, most visible ones starting work this year.’ said Richard Ledger, Chair of the Long Eaton Town Board.
"While we have encountered some challenges, as is common with large-scale projects, we are confident that we are on track to meet the funding deadlines and deliver transformative change for the town.”
The Long Eaton Town Deal Board remains committed to transparency and will continue to provide regular updates to the community on the progress of these vital projects. The next Town Board meeting will be held on Friday, February 21st, where further updates will be discussed.
Key Project Updates:
- Completed: West Park Lighting Scheme, Events Space
- Under Construction: Stable Block (Completion anticipated in August 2025)
- Pre-Construction Phase: Britannia Mills Bridge, Broad Street Bridge & Waterfront, High Street, Galaxy Row
All projects are on track to meet the Towns Fund deadlines of being in contract by the end of March 2026 and completed by the end of March 2027.
Field day! Park gets new showcase arena.
West Park Leisure Hub Project.
Last updated: 29/11/2024.
Major open-air extravaganzas such as Erewash’s biggest carnival have just been given a huge boost – with the completion of work by the council to create the perfect venue for staging events.
The project has seen power hook-ups, new lighting and water supplies installed at what has long been used as a staging post for the carnival’s floats.
Car park improvements have also been made to tempt more promoters and community organisations to use what is now a showcase two-hectare arena.
The events field at West Park in Long Eaton covers the equivalent of five acres. Bookings to use it are now being accepted via the Erewash Borough Council website.
Funding for the outdoor venue has come from £25million of government money pouring into Long Eaton under a “Town Deal” that the council helped to clinch.
The events space is where the Long Eaton Carnival’s floats assemble before a spectacular parade through the town. The carnival fete itself is also in West Park – on an even bigger expanse of grass.
But the events field also plays a vital role because it is used by the organisers for regular car boot sales that are held throughout the year to raise funds.
The 2025 procession of floats is on Saturday 21 June. The theme of the parade will be officially unveiled on Thursday 28 November – at a stall that the carnival organisers will be manning when Long Eaton’s Christmas lights are switched on. Last summer’s theme was “That’s Entertainment”.
The council’s improvements to West Park have thrilled the dedicated volunteers who keep the 93-year-old festival of fun going.
Tim Fryzer-Smith said: “Last summer’s carnival was an amazing weekend – and we will be working hard to make 2025’s even better. June might seem a long way off but our message to all those wishing to take part is that as soon as theme is announced start thinking about your fantastic floats and walking parties.”
Erewash councillor Curtis Howard, who is Lead Member for Town Centres, Regeneration and Planning, said:
“The council is delighted to announce the transformation of the West Park events field – which means we have a superb venue for community organisations such as the Long Eaton Carnival to make use of. The arena is something the borough can be truly proud of as other projects across Long Eaton see us get maximum impact out of the £25million of Town Deal investment.”
To find out more about hiring the events field – or one of the several other sites available from the council – click on the Book your event page.
Town Deal Proposals to Improve Long Eaton Town Centre Unveiled.
Long Eaton High Street Project.
Last Updated: 06/01/2025.
The long awaited Town Deal proposals to improve Long Eaton Town Centre are being unveiled on-line today. The plans include:
- Remodelling High Street to make it a visitor attraction in its own right, with a new central square, architectural features, greenery, more seating, and features to celebrate the local furniture industry and local celebrity Dame Laura Knight,
- Widening the pavements along Tamworth Road and Market Place from Broad Street / Salisbury Street to Oxford Street,
- Providing new dedicated blue-badge parking on the old back-market and in existing car parks, and improving the access from parking areas to shopping streets.
Proposals to celebrate Long Eaton’s globally important upholstery industry include street furniture in the design of sofas and armchairs, whilst groundbreaking war artist Dame Laura Knight, who was born on Union Street, is to be the subject of a featured trail.
The aim of the improvements, which are funded by UK Government, sponsored by Erewash Borough Council, managed by Derbyshire County Council and designed by leading highway engineers Galliford Try and BWB, is to make the town centre a more attractive place to visit and spend time in. That in turn is expected to not only improve the viability of existing town centre businesses, but to help attract the new generation of high street entrepreneurs needed to serve Long Eaton into the future.
The project is based on consultation with the local community in 2020 which found support for improving the town centre, including through more planting and improved seating. That in turn formed part of the proposals of the Long Eaton Town Deal Board that were submitted to UK Government in 2021. It has been a long process to get to this point, including further targeted engagement with taxi drivers, street traders, market traders, high street retailers and blue badge parking users which has informed the design. The on-line proposals are now open to public comment from 6th January to 16th February 2025, with two drop-in sessions at Long Eaton Town Hall from 2pm to 8pm on Thursday 16th January and Monday 20th January.
Councillor Curts Howard, Lead Member for Town Centres, said:
“It’s very exciting to finally be unveiling our £10 million high street upgrade. A new look and feel for our town centre will be good for local business, and for local residents. I’m looking forward to getting work started in the town centre this autumn.
Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Clean Growth and Regeneration, Councillor Tony King, said:
“I’m pleased that we are now able to share the plans with the people of Long Eaton. What is planned will make a major change to the town centre for the better. I would urge everyone to come along to the events to find out more, and let us have their views.”
You can view the plans and provide feedback: https://my.engaged.space/longeaton
Long Eaton Town Deal Latest.
Town Deal Updates.
Last updated: 15/10/2024.
Find out the latest on the Long Eaton Town Deal in this video where Richard Ledger, chair of the Town Deal Board, and Councillor James Dawson, Vice Chair and Leader of Erewash Borough Council, give an update on the exciting projects taking place in the town.
£25million of investment will transform Long Eaton. Erewash Borough Council helped to clinch the government money in a coveted Town Deal for the borough.
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