Colne and Crane Green Infrastructure Strategy

The project sets out a long-term green infrastructure vision and strategy for the Colne and Crane valleys in west London.

The Colne Valley is a special place – a surprising survival of a rich and varied lowland wetland landscape so close to London. It is a vitally important resource for people and wildlife. Within the urban landscape of the Crane Valley, the river corridor acts as a unifying green thread, linking a remarkably varied network of public open spaces. The green infrastructure of both valleys is a precious commodity, providing a wide range of ecosystem services benefiting both wildlife and a huge local community.

However, both valleys are now at a major crossroads, with the Colne Valley sandwiched between two of the biggest civil engineering projects in Europe – HS2 and the proposed Heathrow expansion –along with a host of other significant development proposals, and the Crane increasingly enclosed by Greater London urbanisation.

The quality of the green infrastructure in both valleys is considerable, a great foundation for a thriving landscape ecosystem. But there now needs to be a step change in the way the landscape is managed.

Now is therefore a timely point for action – a ‘call to arms’ to conserve and protect these outstanding landscapes for the long term, for future generations to enjoy, and to ensure resilience in a time of unprecedented change. This is the purpose of the Green Infrastructure Strategy – a unifying green vision for an area 1/6th the size of London, a roadmap for future green and blue infrastructure delivery in the valleys behind which a myriad of delivery partners, organisations and stakeholders can unite, mobilising resources for action.