Riverside given new lease of life with workboat cash
Work to regenerate Bath’s riverside has been given a £28,000 boost to help fund a community workboat. The Canal and River Trust has been granted the money from Bath City Forum for the boat which has been put to good use by volunteers. Volunteer teams have been out in it mending grab-lines and river safety equipment, collecting 30 bags of rubbish during a volunteer litter pick and by turning the boat into a ‘floating forest’ for the Forest of Imagination Festival. The money granted from the forum was allocated to the project from the neighbourhood portion of the Community Infrastructure Levy. Councillor Bob Goodman, cabinet member for development and neighbourhoods, said: “This is a fantastic example of people working together to benefit their communities. “The Bath workboat will act as a mobile base; its refurbishment will ensure it serves its purpose well into the future. “The regeneration of the waterway through our World Heritage city will eventually provide new leisure and recreational opportunities to complement new development. The maintenance carried out by the volunteers along this stretch of the waterway means local people will be able to make the most of this wonderful natural resource and enjoy all it has to offer safely.” Councillor Colin Blackburn, chair of Bath City Forum, said: “Over the next 20 years the number of new homes and offices planned along the river corridor enterprise zone will increase pressure on the waterway and its surrounds. “The Bath community workboat will provide invaluable support in managing the area which is undergoing exciting and vital environmental regeneration. “It will bring together the work of many organisations and voluntary groups who have a common aim of improving the environment and safety of the waterway.” This project forms part of the Waterspace Bath project to revitalise the city’s waterways. Waterspace Bath recently received national recognition,with a runnerup award in the 2018 Living Waterways UK Awards.