North Lanarkshire Council has announced the completion of a programme of works to install solar stud lighting at four parks across the region.

The low level lights are located along the edge of paths at Burngreen Park in Kilsyth, Palacerigg Country Park at Cumbernauld, Dunbeth Park in Coatbridge and Strathclyde Country Park, Motherwell.

The council carried out the work after a successful pilot project at Drumpellier Country Park, Coatbridge and Duchess of Hamilton Park in Motherwell, funded by Sustrans.

Councillor Helen Loughran, Convener of the Environment and Climate Change Committee, said: "The new lighting is designed to guide visitors safely around the paths during the early evening, allowing more people to enjoy a walk or cycle during the darker winter months.


"It's one of the initiatives within our parks and greenspaces that aims to help support the physical and mental health and wellbeing of local people."

Investment from the Scottish Government's Nature Restoration Fund is also being used to improve the local environment for residents.

This includes £50,000 for a participatory budgeting initiative which has seen local communities suggest projects to improve biodiversity and the recovery of nature such as tree planting at Drumpellier and Palacerigg Country Parks and Dalzell Estate in Motherwell, the creation of wildflower meadows in town parks, and a bog restoration project in Cumbernauld.

We are also developing proposals to restore or create ponds within Local Nature Reserves at Newarthill and Hillrigg, Greenhead Moss and St Maurice's as well as the dipping pond at Strathclyde Country Park, the curling pond at Colzium Lennox Estate, Kilsyth and three small ponds at Riccard Johnstone Woods, near Motherwell.