River Regeneration Trust is launched to encourage connection between community and river in Bath and Keynsham
A new group has been launched to spearhead environmentally-friendly development along the River Avon through the Bath area.
Former Bristol Rovers chairman Geoff Dunford has been elected chairman of the River Regeneration Trust, which aims to reverse what campaigners are calling 50 years of neglect.
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The trust members
Its formation follows work by the River Corridor Group, a task force of volunteer experts who have compiled a dossier for Bath and North East Somerset Council suggesting new ways of breathing life into the Avon, with ideas from riverside bars to hydro-electricity generation.
The inaugural meeting of the river trust took place last week, with Mr Dunford, who remains a Rovers director and chairs the Bristol-based training and recruitment company N-Gaged, saying he wants it to become a catalyst for development.
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“It’s been created to make things happen. I like to get things done.”
He lives in Keynsham, which he says has never made a proper connection with the river.
His group aims to bring back a river-based, sustainable way of life along a 20-mile stretch of the Avon from Dundas Wharf on the Kennet and Avon canal at Monkton Combe to Hanham Lock.
He said: “Town planning in the UK does not compare well to the rest of Europe. As an example, the loss of community along our river is something we should be ashamed of. This trust and its plans embody hope for a community connection to the river for the people living in and around it.”
The trust wants to work with the public, private and voluntary sectors to secure new homes, jobs and training, energy and waste management schemes, sustainable transport links and leisure amenities.
Mr Dunford said: “We want to assist landowners and stakeholders to ensure that their ambitions fit in with the thinking of the council. We can help mould their ideas.”
Also on board are council river champion Dave Laming, politicians Sarah Bevan, Bryan Chalker and Ben Stevens; architect Philip Challinor; lock-keeper Trevor Skoyles; and business representatives Jeremy Douch, Nikki Wood and James Hurley.
Mr Laming said: “Two years ago we identified the sad state of our river. Now we have put a team together under the chairmanship of Geoff Dunford to regenerate this great asset for the people of Bath and north east Somerset.”
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by Viscount_V
Wednesday, February 20 2013, 9:36PM
“They won't have a chance Emily if people like you don't stand by your principles and vote for the Party they support, I have never once voted for anything but Labour, my hand goes all shakey when I attempt to put the X anywhere else. Now there's no difference between the Tories and Lib Dems so why not make a principled vote along with others and stop Bath and its wards becoming the only Lib Dem island in the UK.”
by emily_bath
Wednesday, February 20 2013, 5:57PM
“I'm not a Tory and never have been! I've met Brook a couple of times and he seems like a nice guy. That's as far as it goes.
Unfortunately Labour don't have much of a chance in Bath. If they did, I'd get my parents to vote Labour. I always used to be a Lib Dem, specially when I was at university.
Besides my boyfriend in Cardiff would never forgive me if I voted Tory!”
by lamail
Wednesday, February 20 2013, 1:44PM
“Just one big happy crew of shipmates then.”
by Viscount_V
Tuesday, February 19 2013, 5:41PM
“If you're Labour Emily how come you'll be voting for and encouraging your parents to vote for Brook Whelan in Widcombe as you stated on another thread?
This would be against our constitutional rules if you were a member. But as you're a supporter you can say what you like of course. Welcome on board Tamaki, your card is in the post, all it takes is an expression of interest and I'll have you signed up before you knows it ;)
Now I'm quite averse to the Liberals, nothing personal you see, I feel similarly about Tories, but it's not Mr L's fault. It has to be said he has achieved something undoubtedly good for our river, along with other non Cllrs. He clearly didn't have the winning touch in Chew Valley on his jaunt there so no real damage done. I look forward to Dave and Bryan doing likewise for me in my campaign someday.. Cough!”
by HMSTamaki
Tuesday, February 19 2013, 4:44PM
“Oh Emilyemilyemily - I'm disappointed in you. Here was I calling you Honest Em and you're a naughty little fibber, aren't you? Because less than a month ago, you posted on this website 'Nope, I will be voting for Brook. He has helped out my parents on a couple of local issues, and I hope he wins'. That's Brook, as in Brook Whelan, as in Tory candidate. Now what was that about you not being a local Tory and supporting Labour? Dishonest Em, it appears.”
by emily_bath
Tuesday, February 19 2013, 1:15PM
“I would also like to congratulate Dave Laming on this too - well done.
It's just a shame he can't own up to flirting with the Lib Dems behind the scenes, which we in Bath aren't supposed to know about :)
He is doing good for Bath though. No hard feelings Dave :)”
by HMSTamaki
Tuesday, February 19 2013, 1:01PM
“Well, Honest Em, at least I have squeezed a party political admission out of you. Not sure your party will be so pleased, given that you're just putting people's backs up. I was toying with Labour at next election but I think you just lost 'em a vote. But you have demonstrated why people are turning their backs on party politics - most of us can't be bothered with, and are disgusted by, this sort of sniping.
Would like to know why the Chron is allowing this to continue - I thought comments which were nothing to do with the article were frowned on.
PS Emily-emily-emily: didn't they teach you at uni that the spelling is 'disappoint' not 'dissapoint'? Even an old sailor like me knows that.
PPS Well done, captain - those of us who can see beyond the length of a party membership card think you've done a great job!”
by emily_bath
Tuesday, February 19 2013, 12:43PM
“Oh, and my boyfriend is a Labour councillor in Cardiff - sorry!”
by emily_bath
Tuesday, February 19 2013, 12:41PM
“@HMSTamaki, sorry to dissapoint you but I used to be a Lib Dem NUS officer at university last year, and now support Labour :)”
by HMSTamaki
Tuesday, February 19 2013, 12:34PM
“Emily emily emily - don't you think you and your little pal Merick are just showing up the local Tories to be a spiteful bunch of bad losers with your vicious - yes, vicious - attack on Cllr Laming? Your comments have nothing to do with the article. Come on, Honest Em - why don't you tell us what YOUR motives are? Because, frankly, at the moment, you are disgusting disinterested bystanders like me.”