A LANDMARK £1.5 million scheme to link the Nottingham Beeston Canal and the River Trent will breathe new life into the area, creating a green traffic-free route for cyclists, boaters and walkers.
Works to link the Nottingham Beeston Canal and the River Trent are due to begin on 23 February. The 24-week programme at Meadow Lane Lock will be managed by British Waterways. The scheme is set to improve facilities at the site and will improve access to Nottingham city centre for walkers, cyclists, boaters and disabled visitors - by providing the key ‘missing link’ between the existing canal towpath and Victoria Embankment.
Planned improvements include the installation of a wider footbridge and the creation of a public rest area. As well as a river viewing platform, and an improved boater amenity building, the scheme will create more visitor moorings for boats along the River Trent. The towpath will also be resurfaced, completing the final stage of the ongoing development work which taken place over the last five years along the Nottingham Beeston Canal.
The programme, which has been championed by Nottingham Waterside Limited (NWL), is to provide an important gateway to Nottingham’s ‘Big Track’ sustainable circular transport route through the city centre and provide an attractive link to Nottingham’s largest regeneration areas – the Waterside Regeneration Zone.
The regeneration is being funded by various partners including British Waterways, East Midlands Development Agency (emda), Nottingham City Council and the Homes & Communities Agency, as part of the Growth Point Initiative. Morrison Construction is the main contractor for the works, following design and planning from Atkins consultants.
The Nottingham Beeston Canal is a key destination in the East Midlands, attracting thousands of people every year. During 2008, over 400,000 visits were recorded from commuters, joggers, cyclists and dog walkers. The canal also attracted over 3,000 boaters who travel from across the country to enjoy Nottinghamshire’s impressive landscape and architecture from a unique perspective, and visit the many tourist hotspots.
Caroline Killeavy, General Manager for British Waterways East Midlands comments, “The Meadow Lane project will bring significant benefits to Nottingham. By further opening up the canal as a cleaner, greener traffic-free route into and out of the city the project will form a key part of Nottingham’s ongoing local transport plan and improve access for visitors to enjoy the city’s impressive and diverse waterside. The works will form a significant part of the future regeneration plans along the River Trent in Nottingham over the next 10 years.”
Mich Stevenson, chair of NWL, said: “This has been a partnership of several agencies working together to enhance an important part of the city waterways. We are delighted that works will now start on what is expected to create a greener, more attractive route for everyone living and working in the city – as well as visitors to the area.”
Local residents and businesses have been informed of the planned works. Existing use of the towpath will not be affected and disruption to boaters is hoped to be kept to a minimum, with restricted lock passage in place during designated time slots. For further information visit www.waterscape.com/things-to-do/boating/stoppages or telephone British Waterways, East Midlands Navigations on 01636 704481.