Last week’s decision by senior members of the Council brought the cultural, economic and social improvements to the River Avon a step closer with the allocation of £100,000 to kick start the work.
The council’s River Champion and founder of The River Regeneration Trust Cllr Dave Laming (Lambridge ward, Independent), said:
“Three years ago, almost to the day, I agreed to encourage the regeneration of our River Avon throughout the Bath and North East Somerset local authority area. This decision has only been achieved with the goodwill, drive and pragmatic realism from the current leader of the Council Paul Crossley and members of his cabinet, past and present”.
The decision comes after councillors approved the recommendation from a scrutiny inquiry day held last year to examine the current state of the river and suggest that funding should be allocated to the river in line with the council’s corporate priority to promote river regeneration.
Cllr David Bellotti, the council’s community resources portfolio holder added: “The council is very pleased to allocate a budget of £100,000 to a River Corridor Fund to make a start on river regeneration. Organisations including the River Regeneration Trust will be able to apply for grants to improve access to the River and for safety improvements.
“For many years the Council has allowed developments to turn their back on the river and we now want to open the river up for residents to enjoy.”
