Memorandum submitted by Nottingham City
Council (BW 87)
I am writing this letter to demonstrate how
Nottingham City Council, British Waterways and others have been
working in partnership over the past five years to improve the
Nottingham and Beeston canal towpath.
The 7km canal and towpath which runs east west
through Nottingham City Centre and links to a number of major
employment sites provides a valuable connection to Nottingham's
Southside and Waterside regeneration areas as well as the Trent
River Park.
The improvements made have included resurfacing
the path in high quality materials and widening to 3.0 metres.
Access points have been upgraded to comply with the Disability
Discrimination Act and for cyclists wheelie ramps have been provided.
New and improved landscaping has been introduced particularly
where overgrown vegetation is a problem. A programme of signing
and mileposts has commenced and a range of promotional material
produced.
The result has been to provide a high quality
facility for a wide range of uses, meeting a range of transport,
regeneration and leisure objectives which has been internationally
recognised. There have been significant increases in use by pedestrians,
cyclists and other users.
The above has been achieved through the development
of partnerships between Nottingham City Council, The Greater Nottingham
Partnership (GNP), Nottingham Regeneration Limited, The Inland
Waterways Association (IWA), WREN Recycling Limited, The Department
for Transport and particularly British Waterways.
It is important that this work is continued
over the coming years to further improve and enhance the canal
side environment. As part of the `Big Track' initiative, which
is Nottingham's waterside car free route, there are plans for
a regeneration project at Meadow Lane Lock Waterfront and to replace
the bridge at Castle Marina.
British Waterways have been a lead player in
promoting the works and their involvement and participation is
a crucial element in the successful delivery.
I hope this gives you a feel for the achievements
of this partnership, however, if you require further information
please do not hesitate to contact me.
Nottingham City Council
March 2007
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