The WaterSpace project has identified opportunities across B&NES to create moorings, improve green spaces and parks, enhance biodiversity, realise safe access for sport and leisure and improve public spaces and paths.
The waterways of Bath & North East Somerset have been shaped by people over generations, including the creation of the Kennet & Avon Canal over 200 years ago, the installation of flood defences in the 1970s and new public parks in Bath, at Quays Waterside and Bath Riverside.
The River Avon corridor is now undergoing significant redevelopment of brownfield sites, and is the focus for major new development in Bath. With this comes real opportunities to revitalise the waterways for people and nature.
Projects include smaller scale volunteer activities as well as bigger items and schemes which could be delivered or funded by new development or delivered on land owned by the partners.
The project ideas include:
- The development of the River Avon Park – connecting people with riverside green spaces by creating a new city park.
- Improved slipways, moorings and related boating facilities.
- Improvements to the waterways.
- Projects to re-wild the river and improve habitats for species like otters and bats.
- River taxi and arts projects.
Alongside the project, River Avon Festival of Nature in 2016, saw more than 3,000 local people attending environment and arts events and activities to celebrate our waterways.
The innovative approach taken has led to the project being identified by the Royal Town Planning Institute as one of the top 8 projects in the UK to improve the natural environment.
The next stage will be to work with local groups and partners to identify which are the priority projects, develop funding bids and realise the best opportunities to deliver the vision to revitalise our waterways.
The project organisers want your views on the projects ideas included –and they want to know if you would like to make some of these projects happen.
They are keen to hear which projects people think would make the greatest impact to improve the waterways for people and wildlife.
Louise Fradd, the Strategic Director for Place, said: “I am pleased to see the new evidence and range of project ideas that have been developed by the WaterSpace Partnership.
“Over 1,000 residents across Bath and North East Somerset have given their views, with 33% of respondents using the canal, river path or stream for walks either daily or at least once a week. 10% use the waterways for cycling along and 1 in 10 respondents said they would like to get involved in volunteering projects linked to conservation
“We hope members of the local community will work with us to revitalise the waterways in Bath. Many of these will depend on support from the community so it’s important we know which projects local people would like public, private and voluntary sector partners to deliver.”
Nick Gupta, the Environment Agency Wessex Area Manager, added: “We want to take part in a coordinated approach, making the most of the river and canal. Together, we have an opportunity to make a lasting impact for the environment and for local communities.”
