LET’S PUSH TO REVAMP RIVERSIDE
New group wants to boost area
Exciting proposals for a new initiative to revitalise the Riverside area of Blairgowrie have been given a boost with the establishment of a new Riverside Venture group.
The group has come about as a result of the charrette process which took place in the town earlier this year, and is appealing for more local people to get involved with its plans for the area.
Brian Smith, a local resident and community councillor, explained: “The recent charrette process in Blairgowrie and Rattray covered many aspects of life in the town and while many thoughts and suggestions were put forward one particular aspect kept turning up.
“This was the Riverside and the need to do something to make it a local community asset and also more attractive for visitors.
“The newly-formed Riverside Venture group has taken up this idea and is looking to push for these improvements.
“We want to see the area’s potential released for locals and visitors by improving the area visually, introducing information for the public and turning the whole riverside in to an informative and entertaining leisure area.”
Mr Smith also stressed that
the approach this new group is proposing is very different to that put forward by other groups in the past.
He said: “The town has long considered the River Ericht and the riverside as one of its greatest assets and there have been several proposals and reports that have sought to enhance it and turn it into an attractive, and indeed exciting, leisure facility.
“Many of the proposals have been excellent but involved grand plans and large amounts of work, investment and engagement with many agencies.
“The new Riverside Venture group aims to use a ‘bite-size chunk’ approach and to think along practical and achievable project lines that would result in a resource that was good for the local community as well as visitors to the town and therefore businesses in the town.
“We want to create an attractive and visually entertaining walk up and down the accessible parts of the River Ericht and we want the local community to get involved.”
The venture would be split into phases, with the first stage involving work around the Oakbank Road and Riverside car park areas such as clearing vegetation along the river bank and improving access for wheelchairs and push chairs, and perhaps creating a stepped banking area that could be used as an outdoor theatre space.
The second phase of the project could include the area up to Lornty Bridge and introducing information signs and clearing vegetation around the ruins to make them more visible.
Other suggestions for additional phases of the venture include creating additional paths and installing lighting to encourage walks in the evening, creating wildlife corridors and connecting the Hill Kirk with the riverside area.
Mr Smith said: “The more volunteers we have involved the quicker it will be done and everyone will benefit.
“We’re hoping that this won’t cost much except people’s time - anything that has been suggested is not beyond the realms of possibility for a small group of willing volunteers.”
Anyone who would like to become involved in the venture is asked to contact Brian Smith on 07788 712629 or email lutonwolf89@btinternet.com