An overgrown piece of village land has been transformed into a garden for the community. 

The area of grass runs along the side of Whitehall Lane in Blackrod, but was "overgrown" before the works were done. 

Now the patch has been transformed, with benches, fencing, a pathway, planters and trees having been installed. 

It comes as part of the Blackrod Neighbourhood Plan, with the funds to upgrade the area being donated by gas company Cadent. 

Residents cutting the ribbon at its openingResidents cutting the ribbon at its opening (Image: Blackrod Neighbourhood Plan Delivery Group)

Alan Bury, Chairman of the Blackrod Neighbourhood Plan Delivery Group, said: "It is a green space, about half the size of a football pitch, but it is a thin strip. 

"Within the neighbourhood plan we had consultations with local residents, who all said they wanted something to happen to the green space, for the children. 

"Cadent the gas network very kindly offered to pay for it. It was an overgrown green space. "A wild hedgerow has been put in, and a gravel pathway in from the bottom to the top end. 

"There are a couple of benches in at the bottom and the top, elderly residents walk up that route regularly to the shops." 

The transformed areaThe transformed area (Image: Blackrod Neighbourhood Plan Delivery Group)

He added: "Cars park halfway on the pavements, so a lot of people are using it because it is safer. 

"All the local residents are over the moon with it." 

Read more: Groups which are making Bolton a better place receive key funding

Read more: 'Vibrant' new park opened to public and look inside new food hall

Read more: New grand entrance reflects the heritage of Bolton's oldest park

Mark Syers, Head of Cadent’s North West Investment Planning Office, said: “One of the biggest engineering tasks we had to complete in 2023 was in Blackrod.

How it looked beforeHow it looked before (Image: Google Maps)

“This involved the installation of 3,000 metres of new pipes under the A6 Blackrod Bypass, as well as building a new pressure management station.

“We knew it would be disruptive, with our roadworks lasting for a large part of the year. We became part of the community and saw just how close-knit it is.

"During the extensive planning phases beforehand, and throughout the project as it happened, the support we had from everyone was incredible." 

He added: “To show our appreciation, we were delighted to work with the Blackrod Neighbourhood Plan Delivery Group to help make this amazing new green space a reality.”