It means there are now three trees for every new home so far built at the Edmonton redevelopment zone

Enfield Council leader Ergin Erbil joined a tree planting event at Meridian Water (credit Enfield Council) — Enfield Council leader Ergin Erbil (with spade) joined a tree planting event at Meridian Water (credit Enfield Council)

More than 1,000 new trees have been planted around the Meridian Water redevelopment zone in Edmonton.

The young trees have been planted as part of the ongoing £195million strategic infrastructure works, being delivered by Taylor Woodrow.

Enfield Council says the tree planting marks as “important step in improving the new public green spaces” at Meridian Water and the surrounding neighbourhoods across Edmonton.

It also means there are now three trees for every new home at Meridian Water, with 301 residential units so far completed from a target of 10,000.

The trees have been planted throughout the future parkland at Edmonton Marshes, in the north-east corner of the redevelopment zone, as well as along the new roads and nearby streets that serve the wider area.

The council says they will support biodiversity, improve air quality and help to reduce local flood risk by slowing down and absorbing water.

The strategic industrial works also include new roads, bridges and cycle lanes that will help connect the area and prepare the site for the next stages of homes, retail and leisure spaces, and create more quality jobs.

Transport for London also recently announced its intention to provide new and improved bus services for Meridian Water as the area grows.

However, the wider scheme has also ben beset by delays and spiralling costs, with the council recently signalling a major change in approach to Meridian Water in future, with the private sector likely to play a much bigger role.

Council leader Ergin Erbil, who this week helped plant the 1,000th tree, said: “Trees improve our air quality, reduce flood risk and protect our environment. We are investing in brand new parks and green spaces at Meridian Water. We are protecting existing parks across our borough and creating new ones thanks to funding from our government. We are investing in Edmonton.

“It is great to see how works are progressing at Meridian Water. The SIWs [strategic infrastructure works] are important to connecting Meridian Water and bringing this neighbourhood in Edmonton to life.”

Taylor Woodrow’s project director Simon Milligan said: “Planting the 1,000th tree marks a major milestone for Taylor Woodrow in shaping the new green spaces at Meridian Water.

“In an area long defined by industry, these trees are helping to bring the emerging streets and parklands to life and create greener, healthier spaces for the community.”

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