The Pedestrian Bridge:
I am so pleased to let you know that the new pedestrian bridge is complete and is now open. The diversion routes have been removed, and visitors can enjoy walking over the attractive bridge into the Nature Reserve.
This has been a challenging project, and we are happy to have opened the bridge for the public to enjoy, however the opening of Ebury Way Play Area will now take place later than hoped and is now scheduled for this coming autumn owing to the discovery of Japanese Knotweed on site.
Following a public vote through the Councils ‘Have Your Say’ digital platform, the bridge has been named ‘The Aquadrome Bridge’.
The bridges completion and naming will be formally celebrated in late June with the Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire attending to cut the ribbon!
Summary of recent work:
This has been a busy period and is marked with the completion of the pedestrian bridge, the upgrade of 21 Fishing Swims, creation of 6 Back to Nature sites, use of the new branding and the construction of a bird viewing platform.
Below are ‘before and after’ photos of some of these projects as the change and the improvements are great to see.
What’s Next:
We await the decision from the National Lottery Heritage fund for a Development bid. If successful, this will provide a grant of £787,315 which will enable us to develop:
- A Landscape and Environmental Design Master Plan for the entire site
- Increase our Public and Stake holder engagement
- Complete all surveys of the site including the Hydrological Study (still awaiting the updated flood modelling from the Environment Agency, who have now given an updated timescale of July)
The work in the Development phase will inform us about the requirements needed when we submit a Delivery phase bid to the National Lottery. This bid is currently estimated at £5.5m and will focus on Nature Recovery and Visitor Experience.
During these phases of work, we will look to utilise the HS2 Colne Valley Additional Mitigation Plan (AMP) funding of £510,463 which we received last year. This money has been used as match funding to help leverage the National Lottery funding bid. The work allocated under this budget includes improved paths, habitat enhancements and a new boardwalk.
I am looking to arrange a meeting for the Steering Group in late September as we will be able to discuss the outcomes of the National Lottery bid at that point and the plan moving forward. Though I will keep you updated by email with any news we receive about our Development bid.
