Council bids to double Green Flag awards

9.56.24am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 6th May 2008

• COUNCIL applies for two more parks to win prestigious Green Flag status this summer.

Last year Twickenham Green and Hatherop Park in Hampton were awarded a Green Flag, recognising them as among the very best green spaces in the country. The borough's Parks Department has now put forward Palewell Common and Fields in Sheen and York House Gardens, Twickenham, for the national award. Judges will assess all four parks this month. Those that win Green Flag status are revisited every year to ensure standards are maintained. A final decision is expected in July. The award scheme is the national standard for parks and open spaces in England and Wales.

Cllr Martin Elengorn, Cabinet Member for Environment on Richmond Council, said: "We believe the borough's parks and open spaces are among the best in the country and residents agree. Our parks had the highest approval rating in the country last year in the national survey of satisfaction with Council services. However, we will not rest on our laurels and are determined to keep improving. The Green Flag scheme is an important tool as parks must meet exceptionally high standards to win an award and it gives independent recognition that we are doing the right things. We were delighted to receive two last year and the Parks Department is working in partnership with users, Friends groups, and our maintenance contractors, Veolia, to double that figure this summer."