Council secures estuary cash (From Gazette Series)

Council secures estuary cash

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE Council has played a leading role in securing landmark funding that will greatly benefit the Severn Estuary community and environment.

Working with other members of the Severn Estuary Partnership, the authority has helped land European and UK Government funding of £150,000 to improve the environment of South Gloucestershire's coast.

The project will look at how the Severn and indeed the Atlantic coast can best be managed and, locally, how the Severn Estuary Partnership can get everyone with an interest, involved in doing so.

Cllr Pat Hockey, executive member for planning, transportation and strategic environment, said: "This is the first time European funding has been granted for this type of work in South Gloucestershire and hopefully it will open up opportunities for more funding in the future.

"Community groups will be involved in a number of issues including coastal access and recreation, rural landscapes and economies, nature conservation and cultural heritage issues. By working with key stakeholders it his hoped to provide all interested parties with a chance to get involved and input their thoughts to the project."

The project is part of the much bigger 2.5 million euro scheme called Coastatlantic which involves a co-ordinated programme of work involving ten partners from all the European states along the Atlantic coast.

In this area it will bring benefits to a vast area of coastline from Minehead to Gloucester and round to Llantwit Major on the Welsh bank. As well as working in collaboration with local partners and local communities, the Severn Estuary Partnership will be working in close partnership with the Atlantic regions from Scotland to Huelva in the south-east of Spain.

One of the key aims will be to improve and develop sustainable access to and around the estuary through developing and improving walks and trails. Other actions will include, learning from the experience of our European partners and working with local businesses to try to boost local economies by promoting local produce, and working to develop a greater understanding of the archaeological and nature conservation values of the Severn Estuary coastal zone.

A number of pilot projects will be implemented around the Severn and it is hoped that communities will become involved in doing so.

In South Gloucestershire and Gloucestershire the Severn Way will be the focus for the development of improved interpretation and promotional materials. These will be produced in partnership with local people and businesses.

Guidance notes will also be developed to promote a better understanding of the rich biodiversity and archaeology of the estuary and levels, and it is hoped that a scheme will be piloted to help local producers conserve valued local features in the landscape.

George Ashworth, chairman of the Severn Estuary Partnership, commented: "It is a fantastic achievement to have secured this funding which will make a really big difference to the work the partnership does. It means that as well as getting a greater number of people aware of and involved in the management of the Severn, we are able to focus our efforts on visible actions around the estuary that would otherwise not have been possible."