Plans for a major program of work to improve access to Leicester’s riverside have been announced.
Leicester City Council has teamed up with the Environment Agency and the Canal & River Trust to help enhance the river corridor through the city, as part of a wider program of work to reduce flood risk.
The program of improvements has been awarded up to £1.5 million from the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) Local Growth Fund, with £850,000 of this earmarked for a first phase of projects along the River Soar and Grand Union Canal due to begin over the next year.
City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “ Our strong partnership with the Canal and River Trust and Environment Agency reflects shared ambitions to improve Leicester’s river and canal corridor for visitors, for wildlife and as an economic driver in the region.
“We can now begin work to create better access to our waterways, develop the existing nature conservation work, and improve the visitor experience at key locations along the riverside .”
The improvements are being match-funded by the Environment Agency, which has been awarded £33 million of Government funding for a five-year program of flood risk management in the city.
The Canal & River Trust has also allocated £500,000 towards the project, which will fund important maintenance, including ongoing dredging works, to help ensure the waterways are accessible, attractive and welcoming.
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