Restoration works have been getting underway at Hainault Forest after significant council funding to protect green spaces, a new fleet of sailing boats have also arrived at Fairlop Waters.

Hainault Forest which was once used as the hunting ground of King Henry VIII and remains a haven for wildlife including 158 species of birds as undergone a ‘restoration project.’

Contractors began work on a major £7million restoration scheme to restore Foxburrow Barns and the green spaces at the forest.

Redbridge council invested £30,000 part of a wider redevelopment project that will see 250 acres of green space added to the borough’s largest country park.

This included adding 26 new sailing boats at the Fairlop Outdoor Activity Centre.

Cllr Jas Athwal, Leader of Redbridge Council said: “We are committed to investing in local parks and green spaces to protect and preserve them now and for generations to come.

“The restoration project is an example of how regeneration can benefit the whole community, through supporting businesses, creating jobs and training opportunities while protecting wildlife and improving green spaces.

“There was a huge surge in visitors to Fairlop Waters during the pandemic and these new boats, which have arrived in time for half-term, are also part of our wider planned investment in the leisure, culture and environmental facilities at the country park.”

The new boats at Fairlop Waters include 15 Hartley 10’s, a new generation of rotar-moulded boat which are acknowledged as one of the easiest boats in which to learn how to sail.

Eleven further new Fusion boats will also be coming on site by the end of October.