PLANS to improve the River Soar in Leicester have received a funding boost of more than £500,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
A new partnership project called Restoring the Soar has been granted the cash to develop plans for enhancing the river corridor from West Bridge, near the centre of Leicester, out to Watermead Park.
Leicester City Council, the Canal & River Trust and Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust are joining forces to improve this urban stretch of the river, following a successful bid for development funding led by Leicester City Council.
Over the next few months, these partners will be talking to local people to ask them their views about long-standing issues such as litter in the river, and how these issues affect both people and wildlife. Consultation sessions will take place at venues throughout the catchment, and have started in the Belgrave area, where people can join the team for a walk and talk to see the project area and share their views.
The project will aim to improve water quality, enhance wildlife habitats and encourage more people to use and enjoy the river and surrounding areas.
Ben Devine, head of nature recovery at Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust, said: “We’re delighted to be working with local partners on this ambitious landscape project along the River Soar through Leicester. Through this project, we’ll aim to bring communities together to help nature flourish where people live and work, and put nature firmly into recovery along a strategically important wildlife corridor.”
Development funding of almost £579,000 has been awarded by the Heritage Fund to help the Restoring the Soar team to progress their plans. The money will be used to draw up extensive plans for improvements to the river and its neighbouring habitats, as well as exploring ideas to help preserve some of the built heritage along the river, and make improvements to the public realm, including looking at options to create new facilities for visitors to the riverside. The team will then apply for a further Heritage Fund grant of nearly £3million at a later date.
Leicester City Council’s assistant city mayor for environment, Cllr Geoff Whittle, said: “Leicester’s waterways are central to our city’s heritage. From prehistoric times, when mammoths walked in Watermead Park, to the recent conversion of Victorian industrial sites into new housing developments, the river has always been at the heart of Leicester.
“Thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and money raised by National Lottery players, we can now develop our plans for extensive work to take place along the river and canal, for the benefit of both people and wildlife.”
Deputy city mayor responsible for conservation, Cllr Elly Cutkelvin, added: “This funding is very welcome. It will allow residents, visitors and the wider community to fully appreciate the ongoing story of the river and Grand Union Canal, whilst also creating much-needed safe space for our urban wildlife.”
Linny Beaumont, East Midlands regional director for Canal & River Trust, said: "The formerly industrial River Soar is now a tranquil oasis in the heart of Leicester, enjoyed by local communities, boaters and visitors from further afield, as well as being home to some of our best-loved species. However, we know that it can be even better and that’s why we’re so excited to be working with partners on this project, celebrating the river’s rich heritage, improving conditions for wildlife and enabling even more people to benefit from spending time by water."
The partners will now develop their ideas for reinvigorating this stretch of the River Soar. The final plans will include opportunities for volunteers and local groups to get involved and take part in the project, allowing even more people to play a part in Leicester’s river heritage.
To find out more about plans for the project and how volunteers can get involved, email nature.conservation@leicester.gov.uk