River Nene Waterspace Study

Northampton to Peterborough

RICHARD GLEN RGA ASSOCIATES

November 2016 ‘All rights reserved. Copyright Richard Glen Associates 2016’

Richard Glen Associates have prepared this report in accordance with the instructions of their clients, Environment Agency & the Nenescape Landscape Partnership, for their sole DQGVSHFL¿FXVH$Q\RWKHUSHUVRQVZKRXVHDQ\LQIRUPDWLRQFRQWDLQHGKHUHLQGRVRDW their own risk.

River Nene Waterspace Study River Nene Waterspace Study Northampton to Peterborough On behalf of

November 2016

Prepared by

RICHARD GLEN RGA ASSOCIATES

River Nene Waterspace Study Contents

1.0 Introduction 3.0 Strategic Context

1.1 Partners to the Study 1 3.1 Local Planning 7 3.7 Vision for Biodiversity in the Nene Valley, The Wildlife Trusts 2006 11 1.2 Aims of the Waterspace Study 1 3.1.1 North Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy 2011-2031 7 3.8 River Nene Integrated Catchment 1.3 Key Objectives of the Study 1 3.1.2 West Northamptonshire Management Plan. June 2014 12 1.4 Study Area 1 Joint Core Strategy 8 3.9 The Nene Valley Strategic Plan. 1.5 Methodology 2 3.1.3 Peterborough City Council Local Plan River Nene Regional Park, 2010 13 1.6 Background Research & Site Survey 2 Preliminary Draft January 2016 9 3.10 Destination Nene Valley Strategy, 2013 14

1.7 Consultation with River Users, 3.2 Peterborough Long Term Transport 3.11 A Better Place for All: River Nene Waterway Providers & Local Communities 2 Strategy 2011 - 2026 & Plan, Environment Agency 2006 14 Local Transport Plan 2016 - 2021 9 1.8 Report 2 3.12 Peterborough Waterspace Strategy, 3.3 Northamptonshire Transportation Plan - Halcrow, Environment Agency, 2011 15 1.9 Report format 3 Fit for Purpose, March 2012 10 2.0 The River Nene 4 3.4 Peterborough Rights of Way 2.1 Description of the River Nene 4 Improvement Plan 10

2.2 History of the Nene Valley 5 3.5 Northamptonshire Rights of Way Improvement Plan 10 2.3 History of Navigation on the River Nene 6 3.6 Northamptonshire Environmental Character & Green Infrastructure Suite 11

3.6.1 Green Infrastructure: Making the Connection 11

River Nene Waterspace Study Contents

4.0 Waterspace Study 17 6.0 Study Proposals & Waterspace Maps 29 Appendix 133

4.1 Design Philosophy & Approach 18 Northampton to Abington Lock 30 Workshop Attendees 134

4.2 Design Philosophy 18 Weston Favell Lock to Cogenhoe 38

4.3 Approach & Concepts 18 Cogenhoe Lock to Earls Barton Lock 44

River Gateways & Clusters of Activity Map 20 Earls Barton Lock to Wollaston Lock 48

5.0 Consultation & Emerging Themes 23 Upper Wellingborough Lock to Ditchford Lock 52

5.1 Stakeholder & Community Consultation 23 Rushden Lock to Irthlingborough Lock 58

5.2 Emerging Themes 24 Stanwick Lakes to Upper Ringstead Lock 64

5.3 General recommendations Great Addington to Denford Lock 68 from the six themes 26 Thrapston to Titchmarsh Nature Reserve 74 Key Map 28 Titchmarsh Lock to Achurch 78

Lilford Lock to Stoke Doyle 84

Upper Barnwell Lock to Oundle 86

Cotterstock Lock to Warmington Lock 92

Elton Lock to Nassington 98

Nassington to Yarwell Lock 100

Wansford Lock to Sibson 104

Water Newton Lock to Alwalton Lock 108

Ferry Meadows Country Park to Woodston 114

Peterborough to Flag Fen Archaeology Park 120 & Stanground Lock

Flag Fen Archaeology Park 128 to Dog in a Doublet Lock

River Nene Waterspace Study

Introduction

1.0 Introduction 1.3 Key objectives of the Study The Study comprises the river corridor in its context, 1.1 Partners to the Study The key objectives of the project are: including surrounding settlements and links with nearby attractions and facilities. It presents a vision for the The Environment Agency in partnership with the ‡ To integrate existing and proposed land uses along whole river corridor in order to provide a continuous Destination Nene Valley Board commissioned Richard the river corridor with existing and proposed water- experience whilst including individual ‘visions’ for key Glen Associates to prepare this high level Waterspace based activities and facilities. locations which will complement a continuous journey. Study for the navigable River Nene from Northampton to ‡ To capitalise on the river corridor as a linear Peterborough. The purpose of the Study is to inform the recreation, tourism and transport resource and 1.4 Study Area Heritage Lottery Fund Landscape Partnership project, identify further physical, environmental and The Study area consists of the navigable corridor of the Nenescape, which is led by the River Nene Regional recreational improvements, which will sustain and River Nene from the start of the Environment Agency Park. The Study will help to inform activities within the provide new jobs and economic opportunities. QDYLJDWLRQDWWKHFRQÀXHQFHRIWKH1RUWKDPSWRQ$UP Stage 2 application to HLF and assist key stakeholders, ‡ To identify possible hub sites between Northampton of the Grand Union Canal in Northampton, downstream partner organisations, and potential funders in delivering and Peterborough which will incorporate navigation, to the Dog in a Doublet Lock east of the city of sustainable regeneration of the River Nene corridor. community facilities and link to the Nene Way. Peterborough, a distance of approximately 65 miles (104km). 1.2 Aims of the Waterspace Study ‡ To identify improvements in the provision for boaters’ The aims of the Study are: facilities, slipways and visitor moorings together with canoe routes and portage improvements, and other ‡ 7RKHOSUHGH¿QHWKH5LYHU1HQHDVDQRSSRUWXQLW\ water focussed activities. for waterspace activity and develop the area as a waterway destination. ‡ To recognise ‘Access for All’ and the importance of open space in enhancing the waterway corridor ‡ To inform and complement the River Nene Regional through the promotion of sport, healthy outdoor Park vision for the regeneration of the river through recreation, visual amenity and heritage sites. an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund. ‡ To protect and enhance the river and adjoining ‡ To identify opportunities to promote access to new watercourses as wildlife corridors, conserving and enhanced water-based activities, including sensitive areas and managing the implications of associated services and infrastructure. increased recreational pressure. ‡ To carry out high level consultation with river users and other stakeholders. ‡ To produce high level development proposals at VWUDWHJLFDQGVLWHVSHFL¿FORFDWLRQVWRJHWKHUZLWKD programme of achievable actions.

1 River Nene Waterspace Study Introduction

1.5 Methodology 1.6 Background Research and Site Survey 1.7 Consultation with River Users, Providers and This Waterspace Study is a high level report covering Background research for the study was started in July Local Communities a 65 mile length of the River Nene corridor. The 2016. Relevant planning policy, strategic documents and A series of workshops was held at different locations in study’s methodology creates a vision for the river as a research material were reviewed and points relevant to the study area designed to make use of the views, ideas continuous experience which allows for a concentration the Waterspace Study were summarised. and local knowledge of users and people who live in the on key locations along the valley. corridor. In addition, separate discussions were held The entire Nene Valley corridor within the study area was with key stakeholders. In such a high level study it is not possible to cover surveyed either from canoe, the Environment Agency every aspect of the river in depth. For example, angling patrol boat or through walking selected stretches of the 1.8 Report is important on the River Nene and would warrant a YDOOH\DQGYLVLWLQJVLJQL¿FDQWDWWUDFWLRQVDQGVHWWOHPHQWV The ideas and information which came from research, VHSDUDWHVWXG\DVZRXOGLWVELRGLYHUVLW\DQGLWVÀRRGLQJ Research and survey focussed on: survey and from consultation were fed into the Study. issues. Any proposal coming out of the study will need 7KH¿QDOVWXG\GRFXPHQWZDVSURGXFHGLQ1RYHPEHU ‡ An appraisal of the environmental assets, community to be assessed for its impact on these aspects of the 2016. river. In addition, the Study is unable to address in use and proposed developments along the river detail the need to provide reasonable access for all, as corridor. required by the Disability Discrimination Act and Equality ‡ An exploration of the current role of the river Act. The provision of access must be considered in the corridor as a linear recreation, tourism and development of all new projects and in the management transport resource; and consideration of how this of existing assets. The Environment Agency’s ‘Access resource could be enhanced by a variety of small for All Design Guide’ is an invaluable resource here. scale physical, environmental and recreational improvements.

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‡ Discussions with the client bodies and other key stakeholders and feedback on work in progress.

River Nene Waterspace Study 2 Introduction

1.9 Report format Study proposals and waterspace maps

The Report is divided into 3 sections with the core This section provides more detail by dividing the study outputs of the study comprising of a series of waterspace area into 20 geographic sections and representing each maps with accompanying schedules listing current with a map illustrating stretches between key settlements heritage, cultural and waterway assets and potential or features such as locks and existing marinas. The actions. It is illustrated with photos throughout depicting maps are accompanied by schedules listing the current the corridor and its features, together with selected assets of these areas and the main locations within them. examples from elsewhere. Historical and cultural heritage features are also listed. Introduction and context A series of potential projects are listed under headings such as Waterspace Activity, Connections to the River, This gives an introduction to the document including Information and Tourism. reasons why the study was undertaken by the client partnership and its aims and objectives, the study Some of the general recommendations obviously context and a historical overview of the study area. apply to the entire study area corridor or to a number It summarises relevant planning policy and strategic of locations within it. These are repeated within the documents. It also describes the design policy and schedules for the areas they apply to so that each approach taken to the study with some initial concepts schedule is able to stand on its own and in order to give outlined. a complete picture of what can be done in that location.

Consultation This section describes the processes of stakeholder and community consultation undertaken. It then reviews the main themes emerging from the consultations, together St. Mary the Virgin, Woodford with key general recommendations. These themes are: known as ‘the Cathedral of the Nene’ ‡ &RQVLVWHQF\LQGHVLJQ ‡ $FFHVVWRWKHULYHUFRUULGRUDQGYDOOH\ ‡ %RDWLQJGHYHORSPHQW ‡ /DQGVFDSHELRGLYHUVLW\DQGKHULWDJH ‡ ,QIRUPDWLRQLQWHUSUHWDWLRQDQGSURPRWLRQ ‡ 7RXULVPHYHQWVDQGDFWLYLWLHV

3 River Nene Waterspace Study The River Nene, its Character and History

2.0 The River Nene 2.1 Description of the River Nene The River Nene rises from sources in the west of 1RUWKDPSWRQVKLUH ÀRZV WKURXJK 1RUWKDPSWRQVKLUH Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, borders Norfolk and ÀRZVLQWR7KH:DVK,WVWRWDOOHQJWKLVPLOHV  km). It becomes navigable from Northampton where the Northampton Arm of the Grand Union Canal joins the river close to Cotton End Lock. The Environment Agency is the navigation authority for the navigable length on to the Fens where the river becomes tidal. The Wisbech Port Authority becomes the navigation authority downstream of Bevis Hall west of Wisbech. 7KH1HQHÀRZVWKURXJKWKHXUEDQDUHDVRI1RUWKDPSWRQ and Peterborough, past Wellingborough and smaller :DQVIRUGSULYDWHJDUGHQVH[WHQGGRZQWRWKHULYHU towns such as Rushden, Thrapston and Oundle.

The majority of the study area falls within Northamptonshire The valley between Northampton and Thrapston is The river corridor is, however, surprisingly well insulated Vales National Character Area1. This typically consists dominated by gravel workings which have left a legacy from the urban areas of Peterborough and continues to of gently undulating clay vales and ridges. There is a of open water, valuable for both nature conservation and enjoy an unexpectedly rural environment through to the pattern of enclosures with low hedgerow trees. Areas recreation as at Stanwick Lakes close to Irthlingborough. city centre waterfront. East of the city the navigation RIZRRGODQGDUHVPDOODQGFRQ¿QHGPDLQO\WRWKHYDOOH\ The Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits were designated as HQWHUVWKHODUJHVFDOHÀDWDQGRSHQODQGVFDSHRIWKH sides and ridges. The high plateaux above the river offer a Special Protection Area in 2011 in recognition of their )HQVDQGIROORZVDVWUDLJKWDUWL¿FLDOFDQDOLVHGFRXUVH panoramic views across the valley. The Nene Valley importance for wetland birds, especially overwintering with high banks to the Dog in a Doublet Lock to the north LWVHOIKDVDZLGHÀDWÀRRGSODLQZLWKDQROGHUVXUYLYLQJ birds. of Whittlesey. landscape of meadows, willow pollards and alders. Billing Aquadrome, a water based amusement park To the east of Peterborough the old course of the River 7KHUHDUHSODFHVRIVLJQL¿FDQWKLVWRULFLQWHUHVWVXFKDV DQGFDUDYDQVLWHZLWKDPDULQDRFFXSLHVDVLJQL¿FDQW 1HQH ÀRZV WR WKH VRXWK RI WKH PDLQ FKDQQHO MRLQLQJ Fotheringhay and Oundle. Prominent church spires are stretch of the river valley to the east of Northampton. King’s Dyke at Stanground Lock and entering the Middle a characteristic feature of the Nene Valley together with However much of the Nene’s course in the study Level System which connects to the River Great Ouse DQXPEHURIYHU\DWWUDFWLYHYLOODJHVLQFOXGLQJPDQ\¿QH area is through tranquil, mainly pastoral, countryside, Navigation. buildings of Oolite limestone to the east of the area. particularly downstream of Thrapston before it reaches Ferry Meadows on the outskirts of Peterborough.

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River Nene Waterspace Study 4 The River Nene, its Character and History

2.2 History of the Nene Valley The settlement pattern along the Nene Valley has tended to be on terraces above the river or on the valley sides, with the valley itself being used for hay meadows and later becoming the site of a number of water mills.

7KHUHLVHYLGHQFHIURPÀLQWDUWHIDFWVRIVHWWOHPHQWLQ the Nene Valley since Neolithic times. Bronze Age ZHDSRQVKDYHEHHQIRXQGDW8SWRQDQGWKH¿QH%URQ]H Age settlement of Flag Fen east of Peterborough, GLVFRYHUHGLQWKHVQRZKDVDPXVHXPDQGYLVLWRU FHQWUH$HULDOSKRWRJUDSK\VKRZVHYLGHQFHRIVLJQL¿FDQW Iron Age settlement along the river corridor. This was $FKDUDFWHULVWLFIHDWXUHRIWKH1HQH9DOOH\LVWKHQXPEHURI 7KHLPSRVLQJ

There were large Roman settlements at Castor and Water Newton west of Peterborough. These began as IRUWL¿FDWLRQV ZKHUH (UPLQH 6WUHHW FURVVHG WKH 5LYHU Nene and grew into Durobrivae, one of the largest known industrial areas in Roman Britain, notable for pottery production. There are also the important remains of a Roman town at Irchester. The river would have been important for the import of raw materials and wood fuel and export of products.

Chester Farm near Wellingborough is being restored as a museum and visitor centre by Northamptonshire County Council to show the history of its use and occupation. ([WUDFWVRIWKH:DUPLQJWRQ0XUDOGHSLFWLQJWKHOLIHDQGKHULWDJH $QXPEHURILPSRUWDQW5RPDQVHWWOHPHQWVH[WHQGWKURXJKRXWWKH The site’s shallow archaeology shows a timeline from RIWKH5LYHU1HQH Nene Valley. the hunter gatherers of Paleolithic times through the Iron Age, Roman, Anglo-Saxon and Mediaeval settlement up to more modern farming periods.

5 River Nene Waterspace Study The River Nene, its Character and History

2.3 History of Navigation on the River Nene The tidal section of the River Nene downstream of Peterborough was an important trade route, with improvements for both navigation and drainage being PDGHIURPDWOHDVWWKH¿IWHHQWKFHQWXU\7KLVVHFWLRQ of the river gradually fell into poor condition and UHSDLUVZHUHHYHQWXDOO\PDGHDVDUHVXOWRIWKH Land Drainage Act with a new lock and sluice being FRQVWUXFWHGDW'RJLQD'RXEOHW2SHQHGLQWKLV maintained water levels to Peterborough and prevented WLGDOZDWHUVIURPHQWHULQJWKHFLW\&RPPHUFLDOWUDI¿F returned to the lower river and the port of Wisbech was

9LHZRYHUORRNLQJ.LQHZHOO/DNH1DWXUH5HVHUYH improved to allow access to larger sea going vessels. :HVWRQ)DYHOO/RFNDW\SLFDOORFNVWUXFWXUHRQWKH5LYHU1HQH VKRZLQJWKHXSVWUHDPPLWUHJDWHVDQGWKHXQLTXHGRZQVWUHDP Attempts began in the sixteenth century to improve the JXLOORWLQHJDWH The agricultural landscape east of Northampton has upper non tidal section of the river for navigation. The been heavily worked for sand and gravel, and there are river was improved in stages following a series of Acts 7KHUHDUHDWRWDORIORFNVZKLFKPDLQWDLQZDWHUOHYHOV still some active pits. A legacy of this activity is a string of Parliament throughout the eighteenth century, with IRUQDYLJDWLRQDQGDOVRGLVFKDUJHÀRRGZDWHULQWLPHVRI of areas of open water, important for both biodiversity, WKHQDYLJDWLRQEHLQJFRPSOHWHGWR1RUWKDPSWRQLQ KLJKÀRZ)RUWKLVUHDVRQPRVWRIWKH1HQHORFNVKDYH particularly over-wintering wildfowl, and for recreation. The link to the Grand Junction Canal and the wider upstream pointing doors and substantial downstream FDQDOV\VWHPZDVFRPSOHWHGLQYLDWKHORFNV guillotine gates. This unique design is an important From Titchmarsh downstream towards Peterborough, of the Northampton Arm. However, the condition of the heritage aspect of the navigable river. The Environment the Valley is less affected by the gravel industry and the navigation was not maintained and the coming of the Agency has been the navigation authority for the River ÀRRGSODLQKDVPHDGRZVRIKLJKQDWXUHFRQVHUYDWLRQ UDLOZD\WR1RUWKDPSWRQLQUHGXFHGWKHQDYLJDWLRQ¶V 1HQHVLQFH value. SUR¿WDELOLW\ ZKLFK OHG WR IXUWKHU GHWHULRUDWLRQ RI WKH The Nene forms an important link between the main river’s infrastructure. waterways network of the Midlands and the South via The Nene Catchment Board took control of the river as the Northampton Arm of the Grand Union Canal through DUHVXOWRIWKH/DQG'UDLQDJH$FWRI7KH%RDUG to the Fens waterways using the Nene-Great Ouse rebuilt all the locks and replaced remaining staunches Navigation Link. This leaves the main Nene navigation with lock gates. channel at Stanground Lock on the south eastern edge of Peterborough and follows the old course of the Nene on the Middle Level Navigations.

River Nene Waterspace Study 6 Strategic Context

3.0 Strategic Context 3.1.1 North Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy 3.1 Local Planning 2011-2031 7KH 5LYHU 1HQH LQ WKH VWXG\ DUHD ÀRZV WKURXJK WKH The North Northamptonshire Core Strategy covers Within the Green Infrastructure Framework there is administrative areas of Northamptonshire County Wellingborough and East Northamptonshire districts, a specific policy (Policy 20) for the Nene and Ise Council, the district authorities of Northampton together with Kettering. Its desired outcomes include Valleys. These are priority areas for investment in GI Borough Council, Wellingborough Council, East high quality development, empowered and proactive to strengthen biodiversity and landscape character, Northamptonshire Council and the unitary authority of communities, adaptability to climate change and support a prosperous local economy, provide leisure and Peterborough City Council. It passes through one of the distinctive environments which enhance and respect recreational opportunities and support the revitalisation fastest growing development areas in the UK. This sets local character and enhance biodiversity. of towns and the protection and enhancement of their surrounding countryside. This will be achieved by considerable environmental challenges but also offers There are policies to protect the historic environment, managing development and investment to: opportunities to improve the green infrastructure of the landscape character, biodiversity and geodiversity, water Nene Valley corridor. HQYLURQPHQWDQGUHVRXUFHVIRUÀRRGULVNPDQDJHPHQW ‡ Improve visual and physical linkages between the rivers and adjacent settlements by maximising There are two tiers of Local Plans: Part 1, the Core concerning principles of place-shaping of towns and vistas and ensuring development, public realm and Strategy, outlines the bigger picture in which Part 2 connecting villages through rebalancing design towards access are orientated to the river valley. Local Plans give more detail. In the case of the study pedestrians, cyclists and public transport. ‡ Develop the tourism potential of Wellingborough, area within Northamptonshire the Core Strategies are Policy 19 is concerned with the delivery of Green Thrapston and Oundle as gateways to the rivers and prepared by Joint Planning Units (JPU) for North and Infrastructure (GI) including a net gain in GI through the wider valleys as focal points for the provision of West Northamptonshire whilst the district authorities establishing multi-functional green spaces, providing waterside facilities. produce Part 2 Plans. new habitats, enhanced routes, facilities and linkages, ‡ Prioritise the protection and enhancement of The three district authorities which cover the study area contributing to improved recreation and tourism existing visitor attractions and facilities with in Northamptonshire, Northampton Borough Council, provided by riverside towns. Development should not appropriate infrastructure to ensure that these Wellingborough Council and East Northamptonshire compromise the integrity of GI corridors and investment remain the focal points for visitors, in order to take Council, are all currently in the process of preparing should be prioritised where net gains can be made in the pressure off more sensitive locations. their Part 2 Local Plans. access between towns and countryside and remedying GH¿FLHQF\LQRSHQVSDFHSURYLVLRQ7KH5XVKGHQ/DNHV development can support the linking up via the North Northamptonshire Greenway of various established nature reserves and Chester Farm to Wellingborough railway station as well as providing a visitor centre.

7 River Nene Waterspace Study Strategic Context

3.1.2 West Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy

‡ Support new green infrastructure and heritage The West Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy is the Policy BN8 LV FRQFHUQHG VSHFL¿FDOO\ ZLWK WKH 5LYHU based attractions of a type and scale which can be Part 1 Plan covering Northampton Borough together with Nene as a strategic river corridor. The river provides an accommodated by existing or new infrastructure and South Northamptonshire and Daventry. It has policies important navigational function and offers opportunities that strike an appropriate balance between visitor regarding connections, regenerating and developing to enhance wetland landscapes and other habitats. It numbers and biodiversity, landscape, local amenity communities, economic advantage, housing and the provides a focus for regeneration and the provision of and heritage interests. built and natural environment. Green Infrastructure accessible open space and green infrastructure within ‡ Provide a focus for improved navigation and JLYHVHFRQRPLFEHQH¿WVWKURXJKDWWUDFWLQJLQYHVWPHQW Northampton - the waterside in Northampton has been enhancement along the River Nene. in support of recreation and tourism. a neglected asset. The river also offers opportunities ‡ Improve strategic recreation trails along the length Specific policies regarding the built and natural for sport, leisure and recreation including canoeing and of the Nene Valley and developing these in the Ise environment include those which minimise the loss of boating and gives access to walks and cycle routes. Valley. natural habitats and the preservation and integrity of The former gravel extraction areas offer opportunities for habitat creation and enhancement, including wet ‡ ,GHQWLI\RSSRUWXQLWLHVDQGSURSRVDOVIRUÀRRGSODLQ designated sites; the management of water, to minimise grasslands. and river re-naturalisation, de-culverting within WKHÀRRGULVNRIDQGWKHFRQVHUYDWLRQDQGPDQDJHPHQW urban areas and river habitat improvements. of heritage assets. These policies enable the support Policy BN8 states: and maintenance of ecological processes, improving ‡ The natural and cultural environment of the River biodiversity and connecting areas of green space. Nene corridor through the Strategy area, including Policy BN1 deals with Green Infrastructure corridors of its tributaries, will be enhanced and protected sub-regional and local importance and recognises their in recognition of its important contribution to the important contribution to creating a sense of place. Their area’s green infrastructure network, landscape, conservation and management should be enhanced by: townscapes, regeneration, recreation and the ‡ ,QFRUSRUDWLQJH[LVWLQJDQGLGHQWL¿HGIXWXUHQHWZRUNV historic environment. into new development proposals. ‡ Proposals for new development and habitat ‡ Securing contributions from development or other enhancement should demonstrate an understanding sources for the creation of and future management of the importance of the River Nene for biodiversity of the green infrastructure networks. within and beyond the Strategy area.

Delivering long term management strategies for the Within policies for Northampton, the Strategy highlights sub-regional and local network. the Waterside Enterprise Zone as a catalyst for growth Policy BN4VSHFL¿FDOO\HQVXUHVQRDGYHUVHHIIHFWVRQ and regeneration. the Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits Special Protection Area (SPA).

River Nene Waterspace Study 8 Strategic Context

3.1.3 Peterborough City Council Local Plan Policy LP24: Nene Valley Policy LP30: Culture, Leisure and Tourism Preliminary Draft January 2016 Development in the Nene Valley should support As part of policies for the regeneration of the city centre, Nene Valley recreation and/or bring landscape, nature conservation, there will be a particular focus on the provision of new The Nene Valley runs west-east across the authority KHULWDJHFXOWXUDORUDPHQLW\EHQH¿WV'HYHORSPHQWZLOO and improved cultural, leisure and tourism facilities. DUHD  ,W KDV ORQJ EHHQ LGHQWL¿HG DV DQ DUHD RI KLJK be particularly supported if: Such proposals should, where possible, make the most amenity, landscape, ecological and heritage value and ‡ It would enhance navigation along the river for a of the existing facilities and assets such as the river forms part of the Nene Valley Nature Improvement wide range of recreational, cultural or transport frontage and the embankment, protecting this for future Area. The council works in partnership with a number purposes, or create new links with other waterways. events and uses such as festivals and concerts, and assist in the creation and enhancement of navigation of organisations to manage the river environment which ‡ It would create a more natural water’s edge and facilities. includes such facilities as Ferry Meadows Country Park. contribute to enhancing biodiversity. The council considers there is still scope for further ‡ It would enable greater public access to the 3.2 Peterborough Long Term Transport Strategy action to enhance the Nene Valley’s role for recreation waterspace and the achievement of continuous 2011 - 2026 & Local Transport Plan 2016 - 2021 whilst having due regard to other aspects of the publicly accessible paths and cycle routes alongside Peterborough’s local transport strategies are set within river’s environment. To the west of the urban area of the river. the National Planning Policy Framework and have the Peterborough, the Nene Valley has important landscape aims of encouraging sustainable transport, reducing the Development in the rural area of the valley will encourage and heritage features and areas are designated as a Site need to travel and reducing congestion. The context low-impact, informal activities, whilst development RI6SHFLDO6FLHQWL¿F,QWHUHVWDQG&RXQW\:LOGOLIH6LWHV is one of growth and the need to enhance transport in the urban area will involve more formal activities. networks and sustainability through improving public The Nene Washes SSSI and other wetland sites lie to Any new riverside development will be designed with transport. the east of the city. They are of international importance a river frontage or open space to enhance the river’s for nature conservation, and are designated as a Special FKDUDFWHU'HYHORSPHQWZKLFKZRXOGLQFUHDVHÀRRG Improvements are proposed to walking and cycling Protection Area for the conservation of wild birds, and a risk or compromise existing navigation facilities, will routes both in the city and the more rural areas of the Ramsar site due to the international importance of the not be permitted. City Council area as are improvements to Peterborough’s wetlands. There is a duty to further the conservation existing Green Wheel network and its connections. A and enhancement of the features for which the site is of new river crossing is proposed for pedestrians and special interest and this will carry considerable weight cyclists at the Fletton Quays development in decision-making. In other parts of the Nene Valley No mention is made of the potential for river transport. recreation development will be encouraged, subject to there not being unacceptable impact on the designated environmental areas.

9 River Nene Waterspace Study Strategic Context

3.3 Northamptonshire Transportation Plan - 3.4 Peterborough Rights of Way Improvement Plan 3.5 Northamptonshire Rights of Way Fit for Purpose, March 2012 The Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP) forms Improvement Plan Northamptonshire’s current Local Transport Plan consists part of the Local Transport Plan for Peterborough. It 1RUWKDPSWRQVKLUH¶V52:,3ZDV¿UVWSXEOLVKHGLQ of an overall Fit for Purpose document which reviews sets out how the authority will manage its Rights of Way, with an Extension published in June 2015 covering the the strategic context such as the Northamptonshire Arc, ensuring they are adequately maintained, signposted SHULRGWR$LPVDUHWRLPSURYHWKHTXDQWLW\DQG growth areas and the Core Strategies. The Plan sets DQG IUHH IURP REVWUXFWLRQ  ,W DOVR LGHQWL¿HV KRZ WKH quality of access to the countryside. It has a detailed out the overall context and policies for transport in the network may be improved for the current and future action plan and explains how public rights of way and county. There are a series of ‘daughter documents,’ needs of all. It is currently being updated. DFFHVVURXWHV¿WLQZLWKRWKHUVWUDWHJLHVVXFKDVWKH themed and providing more detailed geographical local transport plan, growth strategies and the healthy Local needs and demands for walkers include more strategies for the main towns. Themes include cycling, lifestyle agenda. VKRUWFLUFXODUURXWHVVWDUWLQJDQG¿QLVKLQJDWNH\SRLQWV walking and smarter travel choices. such as bus stops, longer routes in more remote and Although the Plan’s requirements and aspirations remain The priorities set out in the Plan include: interesting places, improving access to features such as the same, an Extension to the original ROWIP has ‡ Making public transport and cycling more attractive woods, nature reserves and parks. For cyclists there been written in the context of budget cuts. Progress is and encouraging low carbon travel. is also a need for more circular routes and to improve assessed against a series of action points. These are: commuting and utility journeys. Green Wheel links ‡ Creating a naturally resilient Northamptonshire, ‡ Create a safe joined-up network should be improved to outlying villages. Horse riders are including a network of accessible and connected ‡ Make access easier for everyone in need of long circular routes accessible from stables, green spaces (including in the Nene Valley). ‡ Improve people’s health and enjoyment liveries and dedicated parking areas. ‡ Regeneration of Northampton town centre and ‡ Improve links between communities waterside. The Rights of Way network requires greater cohesion as ‡ Improve signage in places it is disjointed and severed by the Parkways, ‡ Supporting regeneration of other town centres. railways and the River Nene. ‡ Increase publicity and interpretation ‡ Improve maintenance Improvements to the network can help to deliver both regional and national policies such as reducing car ‡ Enhance travel choices use, improving health and well-being through increased ‡ Harness growth opportunities. DFWLYLW\VRFLDOLQFOXVLRQE\HQVXULQJDOOFDQEHQH¿WDQG Partnership work is very important at a time when economic development through increased recreational budgets are tight and has resulted in some successes use and visits to towns and villages. such as the East Northamptonshire Greenway in conjunction with East Northamptonshire Council, Rockingham Forest Trust and the Wildlife Trust.

River Nene Waterspace Study 10 Strategic Context

3.6 Northamptonshire Environmental Character & 3.7 Vision for Biodiversity in the Nene Valley, Green Infrastructure Suite The Wildlife Trusts 2006 The Northamptonshire Environmental Character Suite It highlights the opportunities for landscape scale The Vision is to create a Nene Valley with naturally (NECS) describes the physical environment of the habitat enhancement in recognising Northamptonshire’s functioning interlinked wetlands, rich in wildlife for the county to help planners, developers and the community biodiversity is under pressure from built development enjoyment of everyone. to understand how the present day landscape has DQG DJULFXOWXUDO LQWHQVL¿FDWLRQ  $OWKRXJK ODUJH VFDOH Wetland habitats face many challenges but they also evolved and how it functions. It provides clear guidance enhancement is limited by the county’s intensive offer opportunities to restore thriving ecosystems for for three major landscape components: historical, agriculture, land management over time and historic both wildlife and people. The Milton Keynes and South ecological and modern. settlement patterns, there are opportunities for habitat Northamptonshire Growth Area will increase demand restoration and enhancement through restoring, creating 3.6.1 Green Infrastructure: Making the Connection for breathing space. and linking habitats together. The Wildlife Trust’s Nene The River Nene Regional Park commissioned the Valley Vision sets out a priority for linking the wetlands The legacy of the mineral extraction industry is a chain of Northamptonshire Green Infrastructure (GI) Strategy and washlands in the Nene Valley. gravel pits in the Nene Valley. However, these are often as part of NECS. It promotes a functioning, high GLVFRQQHFWHGIURPWKHÀRRGSODLQDQGRIWHQIURPHDFK A Sustainable Movement Network will connect people quality landscape which sustains both urban and other. Landscape scale conservation which links these with the landscape and a range of possible destinations. rural populations and gives an environmental context wetland habitats and buffers them from disturbance A hierarchy of routes and ways has been developed with for regeneration and development and increased offers a solution to habitat fragmentation. The Vision three connected tiers; local, secondary and primary, opportunities for access, leisure and recreation within FUHDWHVVXVWDLQDEOHHFRV\VWHPVWKDWZLOODOOHYLDWHÀRRGV using existing public rights of way and cycle routes. WKHVLJQL¿FDQW*URZWK$UHDRI0LOWRQ.H\QHVDQGWKH and droughts, which are likely to be more frequent due A Blue Ways network using river and canal offers South Midlands. to climate change. navigation, towpaths and riverside footpaths and the It includes a Strategic Framework Plan which illustrates possibility of ‘water taxis’. There are opportunities to enhance wet grassland and the location of GI corridors and makes proposals for their ZHWZRRGODQGVLQWKHÀRRGSODLQLQFOXGLQJZRUNLQJZLWK 7KH1HQH9DOOH\LVVHHQDVDVLJQL¿FDQWVXEUHJLRQDO*, enhancement. Connectivity is a key objective providing farmers and landowners to help them manage land in a corridor with multi functional roles in providing access a network for biodiversity and a sustainable movement more wildlife friendly manner. Improved visitor facilities and movement, enhancing biodiversity, enhancing water network focused on people and place. will offer environmental education and outdoor learning PDQDJHPHQWWRPLQLPLVHÀRRGULVNFHOHEUDWLQJORFDO with opportunities for quiet recreation. distinctiveness, promoting heritage and cultural assets and recreation and tourism.

11 River Nene Waterspace Study Strategic Context

3.8 River Nene Integrated Catchment Management Plan. June 2014 The Nene catchment includes the second largest growth A large number of potential projects were contributed ‡ Recreation and community; ensuring the Nene area in England. The Catchment Management Plan was from a range of sources and are listed under the following continues to deliver improved quality of life for put together by a broad partnership in response to the headings: local communities and visitors. Access routes :DWHU)UDPHZRUN'LUHFWLYH :)' ,Q:)'WHUPV ‡ 3K\VLFDOPRGL¿FDWLRQPRVWRIWKH5LYHU1HQHLV should be strengthened with a range of recreational of the catchment achieves ‘good’ status in water quality, PDQDJHGIRUQDYLJDWLRQWRPLQLPLVHÀRRGULVN opportunities and facilities for families. Additional most is in ‘reasonable condition’ but within Northampton and for abstraction, rather than having a natural boating facilities are needed including moorings, it is ‘poor’. The main cause of poor water quality is the flow. Actions include those related to flood water, pump out etc. Fish stocks should be presence of phosphates. defence, mineral extraction, bank improvement and increased through improvement of water quality, ÀRZDQGKDELWDW The Plan seeks to achieve the following for the Nene recreation of meanders. catchment: ‡ Waste water pollution. Actions include those to ‡ Heritage. Actions includes the retention of river ‡ Prevent deterioration and improve ecological deal with phosphate pollution from treatment works, structures with heritage value and ensuring that condition HIÀXHQWDQGLQGXVWULDOSROOXWLRQ restoring meanders or backchannels does not disturb archaeological remains. A systematic ‡ 6XSSRUWPRUH¿VKELUGVDQGRWKHUZLOGOLIH ‡ Pollution from towns and transport. Pressure archaeological survey of the Nene is needed. ‡ Meet drinking and business needs for water is likely to increase with urban growth. Actions include ensuring there are clear planning guidelines ‡ Strategic issues. Includes enhancement of ‡ Provide an attractive amenity delivering WFD objectives and implementation of Green Infrastructure and connectivity of habitats, ‡ Be sensitively managed by all whose activities Sustainable Drainage Systems. maintenance and enhancement of ecosystems. affect it ‡ Changes to natural flow and levels through ‡ Partnership. A comprehensive overview and ‡ Protect irreplaceable heritage assets abstraction. There is a requirement to review and formation of a new Nene Valley Catchment ‡ Continue to provide drainage and flood risk DGGUHVVZDWHUUHVRXUFHDQGÀRZLVVXHV Partnership is needed to ensure the most effective management. DQGHI¿FLHQWXVHRIUHVRXUFHV ‡ Invasive non-native species, including alien In addition, on the River Nene itself, the potential crayfish. Actions include surveys and raising development of navigation is restricted by the relative awareness in anglers and the general public. lack of facilities. ‡ Pollution from rural areas such as pesticides and sedimentation. Actions are needed to reduce agricultural pollution, to encourage more sustainable land management through Stewardship and to identify opportunities for tree planting.

River Nene Waterspace Study 12 Strategic Context

3.9 The Nene Valley Strategic Plan. River Nene Regional Park, 2010 The Nene Valley Strategic Plan was the result of The valley exhibits a good deal of diversity; urban and It sets forward a vision with a number of objectives to extensive stakeholder engagement and provides a vision semi-urban, rural, waterways and lakes, modern and address opportunities and challenges which the Strategy for the long term future of the Nene Valley, developing old industrial infrastructure, undulating countryside outlines and considers how these may be achieved. an ‘over-arching leisure and environmental framework’. and valued historic and recreational landscapes. The These nine objectives are: It focuses primarily on the section between Northampton southern end, although more built up, has scenic and ‡ Encourage urban-rural integration and Peterborough. It recognises the subtle character tranquil stretches. Views of church spires and towers ‡ Protect and enhance the natural environment of the Valley and the need to improve access through are characteristic, particularly of the eastern sections ‡ Improve access and connectivity, particularly sensitive management, protecting the environment whilst and a number of historic water mills punctuate the river’s through more sustainable means of travel, allowing necessary and appropriate infrastructure such journey. recreational trails, footpaths and cycleway provision as waterside moorings and marinas, waterside facilities The Plan has 5 themes: and places to enjoy wildlife accessed by recreational ‡ Invest in facilities and attractions including ‡ A more enjoyed River Nene paths in suitable locations. enhancing nature-based and heritage attractions ‡ Enhanced Nene towns ‡ Invest in waterways ,WUHFRJQLVHVWKH5LYHU1HQHÀRZVFORVHWRDPDMRU ‡ A living countryside area of growth and emphasises the added importance ‡ Create places and reinvigorate the towns, including of green infrastructure which this brings. The Nene ‡ A connected Nene Valley better orientation to and integration with the river is seen as the backbone of green infrastructure in the ‡ Natural attractions and a natural playground valley county, having already a doorstep population of 500,000. ‡ Build recognition of the Nene Valley There are significant economic, recreational and There are major road networks such as the A45 and KHDOWKEHQH¿WVIURPLQYHVWPHQWLQJUHHQLQIUDVWUXFWXUH ‡ Deliver sustainable development and climate A1 close by and three major rail routes cross the Valley Quality infrastructure such as the provision of trails, change mitigation at Northampton, Wellingborough and Peterborough. interpretation and sound marketing facilitates increased ‡ Support the rural economy for example through However the River is barely visible from any of these physical activity and social contact. Increase in river niche food, craft and a small number of eco-tourism routes. DFWLYLW\ZLOOJLYHDQLQFUHDVHG¿QDQFLDODQGHPSOR\PHQW related businesses. EHQH¿W

The Strategic Plan describes the Nene Valley and highlights its features, attractions, the importance of its wetlands to biodiversity, the more urban and industrial southern end, attractive limestone villages and the tranquillity it offers in an area of busy road networks and high rate of growth.

13 River Nene Waterspace Study Strategic Context

3.10 Destination Nene Valley Strategy, May 2013 3.11 A Better Place for All: River Nene Waterway Waterways are seen as a sector which can sustain Northamptonshire has 20 million visitors a year and Plan, Environment Agency 2006 growth and the Nene Valley is important for leisure WRXULVPLVZRUWK PLOOLRQWRWKHORFDOHFRQRP\ A Better Place for All was linked to the Quality of Life as it is ‘close to home’. There is support for both theme in the Environment Agency’s Corporate Strategy The Destination Nene Valley Strategy has four Priority active and passive recreation on both land and water. and incorporates the document ‘Your Rivers for Life Strands: The River Nene Navigation could accommodate an - a strategy for the development of navigable rivers 1. Create an enterprising approach to the rural additional registration of an estimated further 1000 boats ¶,WDLPHGWRKHOSORFDODXWKRULWLHVDQGRWKHU economy, including supporting new business and between Northampton and Peterborough. Developing partners such as riverside businesses to improve the growth, encouraging cultural and creative industries, SURYLVLRQ ZLOO EULQJ VLJQL¿FDQW HFRQRPLF DQG VRFLDO local environment of their waterway, to encourage supporting provision of good quality accommodation EHQH¿WV:DWHUZD\IDFLOLWLHVVXFKDVERDWKLUHEHWWHU more people of diverse backgrounds to enjoy and care and promoting tourism development opportunities. navigation facilities, moorings and marinas, boating about their waterway and develop action-orientated support services, and activities such as canoeing, 2. Improve access to the Nene Valley by identifying partnerships. The vision is to offer users safe facilities rowing and angling should be supported. Waterside and developing solutions to existing barriers through comparable with the best in Europe. facilities including small scale retail and kiosks, pubs, securing funding to improve green corridors to link It has three main principles: restaurants, cafes, tea shops, picnic areas, campsites, towns and encourage walking and cycling, creating 1. To maintain existing navigation assets. and improved visitor accommodation should be DXQL¿HGZD\PDUNLQJV\VWHPDQGEHWWHUSURPRWLRQ encouraged in appropriate locations close to towns and 3. Attract visitors and spend from local, national and 2. To improve facility provision to a standard expected YLOODJHVDQGZKHUHWKHUHLVQRIULVNRIÀRRGLQJ'HVLJQ international markets. This involves creating a of a 21st Century navigation, meeting Association should be sympathetic and good access signage and unique identity for the Nene Valley based on its of Inland Waterway Authorities standards. promotion is essential. The Strategy advocates a strong outdoor and recreational offer, thematic 3. To develop the waterway network as a catalyst for boating development plan where locations and types marketing, developing cultural and sustainable regeneration, to increase access, increase social of investment can be prioritised. tourism projects and increasing the numbers of inclusion and encourage healthy outdoor recreation. national and international visitors. The following are also supported as part of expanded It refers to the River Nene as part of the Fens Waterways waterways provision: 4. Encourage local communities to lead healthier Link and to the River Nene Regional Park’s importance outdoor lifestyles and promote green transport ‡ Waterway gateways with provision of visitor in developing green infrastructure along the river and through outdoor recreation events, walking, cycling, infrastructure WKHLPSRUWDQFHRIWKH1HQH9DOOH\¶VVLJQL¿FDQWKHULWDJH canoeing and horse riding, developing walks and assets. Waterway events, festivals etc ‡ other local projects and a Nene Valley Festival. ‡ Branding and marketing There are sections on developing sport and recreation, including rowing, canoeing, sailing and angling. ‡ Potential riverbus services ‡ Potential angling centre of excellence

River Nene Waterspace Study 14 Strategic Context

3.12 Peterborough Waterspace Strategy, Halcrow, The Environment Agency, March 2011 The Strategy puts forward a Vision Statement for the Goal 2: Enhance and promote Peterborough’s The Peterborough Waterspace Strategy has two main waterspace in Peterborough, developed in conjunction cultural heritage and biodiversity themes: with the City Council, the Environment Agency and other ‡ 7KH VWUDWHJLF RSSRUWXQLWLHV LGHQWL¿HG LQFOXGH D 1. The need to reconnect the river with the City. major stakeholders: riverside heritage wharf, iconic gateway features, This can be done through developing the river’s ‘Enabling Peterborough to be ambitious in embracing a city centre wildlife corridor, an education and role in leisure and recreation, by creating better growth, creating a prominent and exciting waterways research base at Ferry Meadows. infrastructure including new routes, encouraging destination for the people that live in, work in and Promotion and provision of a link via the waterspace river-based activity, thorough environmental ‡ visit the city.’ to Peterborough’s attractions, to assist the city in enhancement, and through the role of river as a moving closer to achieving Environment Capital catalyst for regeneration. A number of areas near The Vision will be achieved by realising three goals with status. the river are scheduled for development, including the strategic opportunities they can offer: Goal 3: Identify and encourage uses along the the South Bank, North Embankment, Embankment Goal 1: Create a greater relationship between waterspace South, Ferngate South and Railworld. existing and proposed links 2. Maximising the potential of one of the City’s most ‡ To understand how the waterspace can be better ‡ To understand and improve the connections important natural assets - Peterborough is one of used to help achieve Peterborough’s ambitious between the River Nene, River Welland, Fens the UK’s four Environment Cities. growth plans. Waterways and the city. ‡ 6WUDWHJLFRSSRUWXQLWLHVLGHQWL¿HGDUHDPDULQDQHZ A series of strategic opportunities and recommendations ‡ Strategic opportunities are offered by a potential mooring and waterway channels, city centre to river are listed under the headings of Access and Movement, central leisure interchange, the Nene to Welland corridor link, potential hydropower locations, event Navigation, Recreation and Tourism, Biodiversity, transport corridor, the Nene-Ouse Navigation Link and festival space. Landscape and Cultural Heritage, Flood Risk and Water and the Grand Union Canal Link. Management. ‡ The waterspace will be integral to the city and help ‡ Connections and navigation will be improved to to improve and build upon the existing urban and unlock the potential of Peterborough’s space. rural fabric. ‡ The waterspace will be accessible to those who ‡ The Strategy also examines possible management visit by boat and any other means and move the city structures for the delivery of its recommendations. towards becoming a key tourist destination.

15 River Nene Waterspace Study

Waterspace Study Waterspace Study Concepts

4.0 Waterspace Study 4.2 Design Philosophy 4.3 Approach & Concepts

4.1 Design Philosophy & Approach Four delivery themes set the context for the design ‡ The ‘Braided River’ philosophy for developing this high level overarching The study provides a response to the opportunities and The River Nene and associated back channels act as waterspace study. challenges posed by the existing usage and facilities ‘ribbons’ on which to thread public access, navigation of the River Nene. In developing a vision for the Study Active Environment: and creation of semi-natural habitats. Enhancing green linkages within the river corridors will help to diversify the a picture emerges of a navigable river network which The creation of an interconnected succession of routes landscape’s potential capacity and develop the concept has great potential in terms of its inherent qualities to provide easy access from population centres and of the ‘braided river.’ and variety of opportunity with scope for sensitive established corridors. regeneration and development of the waterspace and ‡ ‘River Gateways’ Informative Environment: waterside areas. The concept of River Gateways develops the initiative of The development of a legible, well signed and cohesive What is needed is an overall vision for the river’s future Northampton, Wellingborough, Thrapston, Oundle and environment, providing an education and learning for all. regeneration which would challenge the status quo and Peterborough becoming river destinations supported by integrate the competing needs of recreation, economic Inclusive Environment: a marketing and tourism strategy. and social regeneration and environmental conservation The involvement of the whole community in providing The focus is for sequential, linear development and by providing a framework for positive action to attract access for all whilst safe guarding wildlife and enhancing enhancement. The emphasis here is on waterbased widespread interest, support and funding. the natural environment. activities and facilities, improved leisure and commercial 7KLVUHTXLUHVWKHZDWHUVSDFHVWXG\WRSUHVHQWDÀH[LEOH Sustainable Environment: businesses and accessibility for visitors and local approach in addressing major issues and evolving Develop an environmental, social and economic communities. The aim is to encourage visitors along opportunities, which the development of the river and its framework which is responsive to the needs of users the river corridors to the gateway towns and from there relationship with the wider valley will present. and the environment. to enjoy the different waterway experiences. Each ‘Gateway’ acts as a place to explore and connect with the town’s riverside, activities, other forms of transport and obtain information about other attractions within the Nene Valley. They provide concentrations of activity to ensure that major centres are developed and not diluted by spreading resources too thinly along the corridor.

River Nene Waterspace Study 18 Waterspace Study Concepts

‡ Clusters of Activity ‡ The River as a Narrative ‡ Protecting Landscape and the Environment The waterways are an essential link with other linear The River Nene has a rich and diverse heritage which Wildlife, heritage and ecology are primary factors in recreation routes e.g. cycleways, long distance footpaths, extends back to the prehistoric occupation of the river the attractiveness of the Nene Valley landscape. The bridleways and greenway initiatives. Clusters of activity valley and its environs. intervention of the proposed increase in the multi-user build on the existing infrastructure and usage at key There is archaeological evidence and artefacts relating to routes will need to minimise disturbance to wildlife. locations. They provide access to the river corridor, the Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages, Roman occupation and The detailed planning of these areas and their future building on the established footpath and greenway industry and mediaeval settlement and farming methods. maintenance should aim to make a positive contribution network and introduce a rhythm to the corridor by More recent history concerns industries such as tanning, to the ecology of the area. Development proposals which providing facilities at regular intervals. They provide boot and shoe and sand and gravel extraction as well as aim to encourage greater accessibility for leisure and LGHQWL¿DEOH IRFDO SRLQWV ZKLFK GHYHORS WKHLU RZQ ORFDO former transport routes such as the River Nene itself and recreation need to complement measures which ensure character, assist in orientation and celebrate the river’s the Northampton to Peterborough railway line. the protection and enhancement of the environmental heritage, biodiversity and landscape. resource. There a number of important museums such as Flag Fen Ten Clusters of Activity are suggested, these are: QHDU3HWHUERURXJKDQLQWHUQDWLRQDOO\VLJQL¿FDQW%URQ]H Access along the river corridor through walking and Age settlement and Chester Farm near Irthlingborough canoeing, etc. has the potential to disturb wildlife (eg ‡ Billing Marina which demonstrates a timeline of settlement from the wildfowl) This must be effectively assessed and planned ‡ White Mills Marina Paleolithic up to modern times. The river’s water mills to avoid disturbance or effectively mitigated through the SURYLVLRQRIRQOLQHDQGRIÀLQHKDELWDWFUHDWLRQWRRIIHU ‡ Rushden Lakes and the imposing churches of its settlements help to tell the story of the Nene Valley. areas of sanctuary. ‡ Stanwick Lakes The river is the element which provides a broad constant The principle of braiding the river, developing gateways ‡ Willy Watt Marina to historic development. A project could be devised to DQGGH¿QHGURXWHVDURXQGDUHDVRIQHZOHLVXUHDFWLYLW\ will help to limit the impacts on the environment. ‡ Titchmarsh Mill use the river as a narrative, telling the story not only of (HQ of the Middle Nene Cruising Club) the river’s historic and cultural associations but of the changing landscape and its wildlife. ‡ Wadenhoe

‡ Fotheringhay

‡ Wansford (Access to the Nene Valley Railway)

‡ Castor/Ferry Meadows Country Park

19 River Nene Waterspace Study Waterspace Study Concepts River Gateways & Clusters of Activity Map

B1443

A15 A47 River Gateways A1

‡ Northampton PETERBOROUGH Stone A47 Bridge B1040 Wellingborough Corner River Nene ‡ Sutton Wansford 9 Castor Whittlesey ‡ Thrapston Stibbington Yarwell 10 Oundle Water ‡ Newton Nassington Stanground King’s Dyke Alwalton ‡ Peterborough Fotheringhay B1095 Elton 8 A605 Southwick

A15 Cotterstock Warmington A427 Tansor

Ashton

OUNDLE Polebrook A6116 Stoke Doyle B660 A1M Barnwell Wadenhoe 7 Achurch Aldwincle Thorpe Lowick 6 Waterville B662 Islip Titchmarsh Clusters of Activity 1. Billing Lock/Marina A14 THRAPSTON Denford A14 2. White Mills Marina Great 5 Addington Ringstead A6 3. Rushden Lakes Little A509 Addington Raunds 4. Stanwick Lakes A43 4 Irthlingborough A5199 Stanwick B645 5. Willy Watt Marina

A508 WELLINGBOROUGH Higham 6. Titchmarsh Mill 3 Ferrers (HQ of the Middle Rushden NORTHAMPTON Earls Barton A45 Nene Cruising Club) Irchester Ecton Great A428 Doddington 2 7. Wadenhoe

1 8. Fotheringhay A4500 A509 Cogenhoe Whiston Little 9. Wansford (Access to Great Houghton Grand Union Canal Houghton A428 the Nene Valley Railway) 10. Castor/Ferry Meadows M1 Country Park A43

River Nene Waterspace Study 20 Waterspace Study Concepts

‡ Improving Access for All ‡ Improving Signage and Interpretation ‡ Creating Public Art There is an increasing expectation that safe, well Good, clear signage is necessary to ensure the safe, The river landscape of the Nene Valley provides a designed access will be provided for all users. The responsible and informed use of the routes together fantastic opportunity to create punctuation points of Disability Discrimination Acts (DDA) and the Equality with the connections with circular trails, the Nene Way, diversity and interest through public art, developing an Act require service providers to make all reasonable National Cycle Routes and the Northamptonshire integral thread of works through the region. efforts for this to be achieved. Access points at key Greenway. Effective signage can instil a sense of Artwork should be diverse, created by artists working locations which maintain the integrity of the trails should reassurance and familiarity with interpretation adding with communities to engender a sense of ownership. be available to everyone. Here detailing should be of considerably to the enjoyment and educational values Artworks can act as entrances, beacons, shelters, resting highest quality materials with signage and interpretation of a paddle, ride or walk. However, signage should places or trailside features providing legibility, direction effective for walkers and those with physical impairment. not become intrusive. Levels of information need to and interpretation. Art installations would highlight the be carefully balanced, highlighting opportunities rather Provision of access for all should be viewed in a strategic area’s natural and cultural heritage, community identity, than conveying purely negative and warning messages. context, as part of the overall management of the Nene local distinctiveness and reinforce the narrative of the Valley. Detailed audits should be undertaken on key There should be a co-ordinated river signage strategy, river’s rich and diverse heritage. stretches of paths. This will determine opportunities with a review of existing signage on existing paths and An example is where the Lincolnshire Waterways to create easier access and prioritise improvement trails. The strategy should aim to rationalise signage Partnership has established a programme of public schemes. Small village car parks could be developed and develop a regional style for all trails and routes art along the Water Rail Way on the River Witham. at strategic locations allowing access to the wider river throughout Nene Valley. Sculptures have included indigenous breeds of cattle, corridor. Types of signage sheep and pigs together with associations with Tennyson. Where possible, good surfacing, shallow gradients ‡ Waymarker signage to indicate designated routes, and the replacement of barriers will facilitate access trails and connections. for people with disabilities, older people and families ‡ Interpretative tactile signage at places of interest, with pushchairs. It is important to appreciate the needs gateways and resting places. of blind and partially sighted people, particularly at ‡ Informative signage, providing recommendations to clusters of activity adjacent to the river. Recognised users on safety and consideration for other users. design standards can be found in the Fieldfare Trust’s Countryside Access for All Standards and Guidelines. The Environment Agency’s ‘Access for All Design Guide’ gives invaluable advice, including on design for surfacing, JDWHV IRRWEULGJHV ¿VKLQJ SODWIRUPV FDQRH DQG ERDW access, cycle and equestrian access.

21 River Nene Waterspace Study Stakeholder & Community Consultation

6WDNHKROGHUDQGFRPPXQLW\FRQVXOWDWLRQDWWKH1HQH:KLWH:DWHU&HQWUHLQ1RUWKDPSWRQ

River Nene Waterspace Study 22 Stakeholder & Community Consultation

5.0 Consultation & Emerging Themes

5.1 Stakeholder and Community Consultation Five workshops were held in October 2016 at different The workshops took the form of a presentation on locations in the Nene Valley. Three were for stakeholders what a waterspace study consists of and the approach A programme of consultation was devised to ensure and held at East Northamptonshire Council in Thrapston. taken to the River Nene Study. Participants worked in that views and knowledge were captured from local These were themed as for: waterway users and providers; small groups and were encouraged to think about what residents, recreational users and providers, local other recreation users and providers; environmental they valued most about the Nene Valley and what they businesses and other stakeholders who know the and strategic interests including representatives of might wish to change or improve. Their views were river well or who have a particular relationship with it. local authorities. Two further workshops were held UHFRUGHGRQÀLSFKDUWV 7KHJURXSVWKHQZRUNHGRQ The focus for consultation was a series of workshops. for representatives of local communities, one at the maps of the river corridor and placed ‘Post It Notes’ Address and contact lists were supplied by partnership southern end of the valley at the Nene White Water in particular areas where they had ideas for projects members and added to as the consultation process Centre in Northampton and the other at Oundle towards or improvements, where there might be constraints or developed. A Stakeholder Analysis was undertaken with the northern end of the river corridor. problems and what, from their local knowledge, was WKHSULPDU\SDUWQHUVXVLQJDQ,QWHUHVWDQG,QÀXHQFH important, including the area’s culture heritage. Matrix in order to determine who should be invited to There was inevitably some crossover in the types of the workshops. participants, due to some people who were unable to Participants were encouraged to think as widely as attend the workshop they were originally invited to. possible and not be concerned about immediate The purposes of the workshops were: constraints such as budgets, recognising that the ‡ To review initial concepts and ideas. Invitations were sent out in mid September, based on the Waterspace Study should be a blueprint and a source Stakeholder Analysis. Invitations for local community ‡ To gain further ideas. of ideas into the future. representatives were primarily made via parish and ‡ To make use of local knowledge. town clerks. The quality of participation overall was very good; ‡ To ensure awareness of issues and potential people applied themselves to the task well stimulating The total number of participants over the 5 workshops problems, practical or political. many excellent ideas together with very useful local (not including representatives of the client partners who ‡ To raise awareness of the project and obtain ‘buy information. This was then analysed to form the basis DFWHGDVIDFLOLWDWRUV ZDVRXWRIDWRWDORILQYLWHG in’ from local communities. of the Schedules relating to locations in the Nene Valley Fourteen parishes were represented. which appear in Section 3 of this report.

,Q DGGLWLRQ WR WKH ZRUNVKRSV VSHFL¿F PHHWLQJV ZHUH held with key stakeholders and river users.

23 River Nene Waterspace Study Emerging Themes

5.2 Emerging Themes Theme 2: Access to the river corridor and valley Theme 3: Boating development A number of significant themes emerged from the There were many comments about the piecemeal nature The River Nene is a beautiful river to cruise, new marinas FRQVXOWDWLRQVERWKIURPWKHPRUHJHQHUDOÀLSFKDUW of access and lack of signage throughout the Nene are opening which underlines the river’s increasing exercise and the map exercise. These themes carry Valley. The Nene Way runs the length of the Valley but popularity. The river is generally tranquil and rural in through into the location schedules and help to group the path is often in poor condition and in some places the character and forms an important link between the the many disparate comments, issues and ideas which Nene Way runs some distance from the river. Lengths of main canal system and the Middle Levels and on to came forward. WUDI¿FIUHHF\FOHZD\LQWKHIRUPRI*UHHQZD\VKDYHEHHQ the Fenland Waterways. There is scope to increase created in the corridor, often making use of the disused the number of boats using the river; the Environment The six main themes which emerged are: railway between Northampton and Peterborough, but Agency estimates this can be doubled without having a Theme 1: Consistency of Design these are in many places disjointed. harmful effect on the river ecosystems and the cruising There is a need for consistency in design relating to Better links with local settlements and attractions also experience. the river corridor. This would give the Nene Valley a need to be forged. The A45 and A605 trunk roads sever However, the boating infrastructure is in need of positive identity, improve the quality of current provision the connection to the river from many settlements in the improvement. Facilities such as visitor moorings and of facilities, providing a better sense of place and ensure Nene Valley. Circular routes based on local settlements service points for water, refuse disposal, sewage pump the river corridor remains as attractive as possible. A would be popular and would encourage people to out, showers etc are inadequate and there is scope for set of Design Guidelines concerning the provision of connect with the river and developing greenways. better information about what is available on the river, its river infrastructure and its setting for boaters, canoeists Access for All is not well catered for in many places with nearby attractions and the settlements along the river. and other river users, walkers, cyclists and horse riders provision for equestrians being generally poor. 7RRRIWHQDFFHVVIURPPRRULQJVLVGLI¿FXOWLWLVQRWHDV\ is required. The guidance will provide the opportunity The river is very attractive for canoeing. However, the to access towns such as Wellingborough, Thrapston for developers, communities and landowners to work in recent provision of canoe portages, gates and fencing and Oundle and many of the villages. Northampton partnership with local authorities and the Environment at many locks has created an obstacle course for has improved its waterfront by the construction of Agency. Guidance will also include information and canoeists. Signage to backwater channels is generally the marina and the ongoing construction of the new interpretation provision, ensuring the style and branding poor and inconsistent. An assessment of the existing university campus. However, there is scope to improve is consistent allowing people to recognise the River Nene canoe provision needs to be undertaken by the canoeing the Town’s waterfront upstream of the Town Lock and Valley as a coherent entity. community to ensure a consistent design approach. New investigate extending navigation onto the Westbridge canoe trails could be devised to allow use of backwaters Arm and closer to the town centre. which would link to villages, car parks and avoid the QHHGIRUORQJDQGGLI¿FXOWSRUWDJHURXWHVDURXQGORFN structures. Suggestions were made for river taxis at Northampton, Wellingborough, Stanwick and Peterborough.

River Nene Waterspace Study 24 Emerging Themes

At Wellingborough there is scope to improve the Town’s The Valley is very rich in heritage, both in its archaeology A comment often heard at the workshops was the need waterfront, develop marina proposals and attract from the Paleolithic, Bronze and Iron Ages and from to increase awareness of the river by those using the river visitors into the town, taking advantage of the Roman times, and legacies such as water mills and main transport thoroughfares, including trunk roads Sustainable Urban Extension to the east of the town. the characteristic limestone church spires, which acted such as the A45 and A605 which follow the Nene At Peterborough links should be improved between the as beacons for travellers along the Valley towards Valley, the A1 which crosses it west of Peterborough river and the city centre. The river should play a major Peterborough. The Nene Navigation has its own and from the railways which run through Northampton, UROHLQLQÀXHQFLQJWKHQHZGHYHORSPHQWSURSRVDOVDORQJ distinctive heritage, with its guillotine lock gates and the Wellingborough and Peterborough. However, in the south bank. rare radial lock gate at Ditchford Lock. planning change we must ensure that no damage is done to the intimacy of the riverscape by the removal Theme 4: Landscape, biodiversity & heritage There are interesting aspects of cultural heritage which of essential enclosure, exposing a quiet refuge to the There were many comments at the workshops about relate to local personalities, customs, former industries LQWUXVLRQRIQRLVHDQGWUDI¿F7KHWDQWDOL]LQJJOLPSVH the need to conserve and enhance the qualities of such as boot and shoe, and river transport on the Nene. WKHVPDOORSHQLQJWKHHIIRUWRI¿QGLQJRXWWKHVHQVHRI landscapes, biodiversity and heritage of the Nene Valley. Theme 5: Information, interpretation & promotion discovery - these are things which need to be understood The stretch of the river from east of Northampton to As mentioned in Theme 1 Consistency of Design, and valued within the fragile river landscape. Thrapston has a legacy of sand and gravel extraction there is enormous scope to improve information and in the form of many lakes. The Upper Nene Gravel Theme 6: Tourism, events and activities interpretation and develop a more consistent approach. Pits have been designated as a Special Protection There is scope to increase tourism in the Nene Valley This relates to written material, websites and on Area for their biodiversity importance, particularly and to improve the quality of the visitor experience. site information and interpretation boards informing for overwintering wetland birds. There are plans to However, the quality and peaceful nature of the river people about what is available, directing them to local further improve the Nene Valley as a wildlife corridor corridor must be maintained and tourism should be attractions, pubs, shops etc and interpreting the local by connecting lakes and reconnecting the river to the sustainable. heritage of the area. ÀRRGSODLQLQRUGHUWREHWWHUXWLOLVHWKHODNHVIRUZDWHU The need for improved information for boaters was Local towns and villages and small local businesses VWRUDJHLQWLPHVRIÀRRG raised a number of times including the idea of a should be the drivers for this to ensure that it is the local The Nene Valley is rich in backwaters and parallel Welcome Pack available as boats enter the River Nene HFRQRP\WKDWEHQH¿WV streams which lend themselves to a ‘braided’ approach Navigation, for example at the Environment Agency’s The popularity of the River Nene Festival was remarked to use of the river, e.g. a stream for navigation alongside Northampton Marina. People operating locks are a on a number of times at the workshops together with others which can be used by canoeists or enriched for captive audience and locks offer a great opportunity a call for an increase in similar events. Again, local biodiversity. for locating information and interpretation - they also communities could organise their own river themed act as punctuation points for people walking, cycling or events thereby bringing visitors to their towns and canoeing in the river valley. villages.

25 River Nene Waterspace Study Emerging Themes

5.3 General recommendations from the six themes Theme 2: Access to the river corridor and valley Towns such as Higham Ferrers and Oundle have Below is a summary of the key recommendations which ‡ Improve links between the river and town centres important heritage architecture and there are a number relate to the main themes above. These are based at Northampton, Wellingborough, Rushden, Higham of villages with important churches, museums and on consultations with stakeholders and community Ferrers, Thrapston, Oundle and Peterborough attractive pubs. Local communities could consider representatives and from the research and survey ‡ Improve access from villages to the river within compiling their own tourism strategies. Neighbourhood work. Many of these recommendations are repeated the Valley. Development Plans offer the opportunity to put this into in the schedules accompanying the maps in Section 3 ‡ Improve the surfacing, detail and overall condition action. of the report. This is to allow each schedule to stand on of riverside paths. Develop the Nene Way as an all its own and to give a complete picture of what can be Maintaining the tranquil atmosphere of the river year round all weather route. done in that location. The workshops recognised that there is scope for small ‡ Improve links with adjoining public rights of way, VFDOHGHYHORSPHQWVZLWKLQWKHWKHPHVLGHQWL¿HGDERYH Theme 1: Consistency of Design including to the Nene Way and the Northamptonshire However, an overwhelming desire is that the river must ‡ Develop a set of Design Guidelines to provide a Greenway. retain its rural feel, its tranquillity, its landscapes, its consistent design approach to river infrastructure, ‡ Complete the Northamptonshire Greenway to form importance for biodiversity and its ecosystems. These setting and access to the river corridor. a continuous multi-use route throughout the length concerns must underpin any proposals which are made ‡ Safeguard tranquillity, heritage and sense of place. of the Nene Valley, including making use of the and protection of The Upper Nene SPA must be ensured. ‡ Enhance the identity of the Nene Valley. This disused Northampton to Peterborough railway line Northampton Water Festival Survey 2015 would include the provision of information and where possible. 8VHZDVDOVRPDGHRIWKH¿QGLQJVRIDTXHVWLRQQDLUH interpretation to ensure consistent style and ‡ Create new access and crossing points to main survey undertaken by the Environment Agency at the branding throughout the Nene Valley roads, in particular the A45, to overcome the Northampton River Festival in 2015. A high proportion ‡ Engage landowners and stakeholders in best SUREOHPRIWKHULYHUYDOOH\EHLQJGLI¿FXOWWRDFFHVV of the questionnaires were completed by boaters. This practice guidance. from communities such as Rushden, Higham underlined the need for improved boating facilities and Ferrers and Stanwick. SURGXFHGLGHDVVXFKDZDWHUWD[LDÀRDWLQJFDIHGD\ ‡ Develop village circular walks utilising the River, hire boats, canoe hire, improved access and signage Nene Way, greenways and local footpaths. and picnic areas. ‡ Instigate a ‘Boris Bike’ hire system with bike storage facilities at various hubs along the Nene Valley ‡ Develop small car parks at strategic locations to allow improved access throughout the corridor. ‡ Undertake a canoe trail development project. Review existing provision by the canoeing community.

River Nene Waterspace Study 26 Emerging Themes

Theme 5: Information, interpretation & promotion

‡ Improve canoe portage at all locks where this facility and Oundle and to villages with attractions and ‡ Develop a consistent style and branding in order to is currently poor or where the existing provision is facilities such as pubs, shops etc through providing establish a coherent landscape and experience for GLI¿FXOWWRDFFHVV suitable moorings, good, signed access routes and the Nene Valley. ‡ Investigate potential greater use of river backwaters information ‡ Develop river signage and waymarking strategy for canoeing to by pass lock structures and provide ‡ Investigate the potential for re-opening the to link the river with town centres, villages and the greater access to riverside communities. Westbridge Arm in Northampton for navigation to wider Nene Valley. ‡ Ensure advantage is taken of significant take the waterway into the town centre. ‡ Change the thrust of the EA’s lock signage developments such as the Sustainable Urban Theme 4: Landscape, biodiversity & heritage messages to provide a positive impression of the Extension at Wellingborough and new developments ‡ Ensure any developments respect the tranquil waterway environment, introduce access routes, at Northampton, Peterborough and Rushden Lakes rural feel of the Nene Valley, do not compromise wildlife and heritage information. to improve the river corridor and access to it. its heritage and biodiversity and can enhance the ‡ Provide visiting boaters with information about Theme 3: Boating development latter where possible. what is available in the Nene Valley, directing them to local attractions, heritage features, pubs, shops ‡ 'HYHORSPRUHVKRUWWHUP KRXU YLVLWRUPRRULQJV ‡ Investigate the use of suitable backwaters for etc. This could include a Welcome Pack and a river for towns, villages and heritage locations. enriching biodiversity, contributing to the ‘braided river’ concept. information app. ‡ Provide more boating facilities at strategic locations along the river, including, water points, pump out/ ‡ Manage and maintain vegetation in order not to Theme 6: Tourism, events and activities Elsan disposal, refuse and recycling, with toilets and impede river activities, to improve visibility of the ‡ Encourage the private sector, landowners, local showers at particular waterway hubs and clusters river, access, safety and the environment. communities etc to develop small scale and of activity. sustainable tourism projects ‡ Improve information provided by boat clubs and ‡ Encourage local communities to be the drivers of visitor mooring provision. sustainable tourism so that the local economy will ‡ Investigate new marina development EHQH¿W ‡ Investigate off-line moorings in appropriate ‡ Encourage communities to develop their own backwaters. tourism strategies to promote their attractions, facilities and heritage. ‡ Take steps to improve access from the river for boaters to towns such as Wellingborough, Thrapston

27 River Nene Waterspace Study Key Map

B1443

Map Tiles A15 A47 A1 A. Northampton to Abington Lock PETERBOROUGH Stone A47 Bridge B. Weston Favell Lock to Cogenhoe B1040 P T Corner River Nene Sutton S C. Cogenhoe Lock to Earls Barton Lock Wansford Castor R Stibbington Q Whittlesey Yarwell O D. Earls Barton Lock to Wollaston Lock Water Nassington Newton Stanground King’s Dyke E. Upper Wellingborough Lock to Ditchford Lock N Alwalton B1095 Fotheringhay Elton F. Rushden Lock to Irthlingborough Lock A605 Southwick M G. Stanwick Lakes to Upper Ringstead Lock A15 Cotterstock Warmington Tansor H. Great Addington to Denford Lock A427 OUNDLE L Ashton I. Thrapston to Titchmarsh Nature Reserve A6116 Polebrook Stoke Doyle K B660 J. Titchmarsh Lock to Achurch Barnwell A1M Wadenhoe K. Lilford Lock to Stoke Doyle Achurch J L. Upper Barnwell Lock to Oundle Aldwincle Thorpe Lowick Waterville B662 Titchmarsh Islip I

A14 THRAPSTON

Great H Denford Addington A14 Ringstead A6 Little Addington G A509 Raunds

A43 Irthlingborough Stanwick A5199 F B645 M. Cotterstock Lock to Warmington Lock A508 WELLINGBOROUGH E Higham Ferrers N. Elton Lock to Nassington

Rushden Earls NORTHAMPTON A45 Barton D O. Nassington to Yarwell Lock Ecton Irchester A428 Great C Doddington P. Wansford Lock to Sibson B A Q. Water Newton Lock to Alwalton Lock A4500 A509 Cogenhoe Whiston R. Ferry Meadows Country Park to Woodston Little Great Houghton Grand Union Canal Houghton A428 S. Peterborough to Flag Fen Archaeology Park & Stanground Lock

M1 T. Flag Fen Archaeology Park to Dog in a Doublet Lock A43

River Nene Waterspace Study 28 Study Proposals & Waterspace Maps Northampton to Abington Lock

Northampton Lock

Town Bridge Northampton Marina

Extend navigation upstream White Water Centre onto the Westbury Arm & the Town centre

Grand Union Canal Northampton Arm

Hunsbury Lock (16) Abington Lock Legend

Existing Permanent Mooring Northampton Lock (17)

Existing Visitor Mooring

Existing Water Point Rush Mills Lock Existing Rowing Area

Existing Canoe Access Point

Adequate Lock Portage

Poor/No Lock Portage ‘Crown Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. Detailed Waterspace Study Required (QYLURQPHQW$JHQF\¶

River Nene Waterspace Study 30 Northampton to Abington Lock

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Northampton Town Centre, South Bridge Existing visitor moorings Northampton Riverside - River Gateway Location & Waterfront All facilities Detailed waterspace study required to take account of the recent developments which have Pub - Malt Shovel taken place along the river corridor. ‡ Northampton Church - All Saints’ ‡ New University Campus Shops - Morrisons ‡ The Holy Sepulchre is a Norman round ‡ New footbridge connection ‡ Museum church in Sheep Street - Grade I Listed ‡ Northampton Marina ‡ Art Gallery ‡ Thomas à Becket’s Well ‡ Northampton Enterprise Zone has potential to be a blue/green corridor for nature, ‡ Delapre Abbey, 1145 ‡ Royal & Derngate Theatre health, aesthetics and to showcase sustainable development. ‡ The Eleanor Cross Existing Public Rights of Way Connections to the River ‡ Battle of Northampton, 1460, Major battle ‡ The Nene Way ‡ Improve links between the Town Centre and river. of the Wars of the Roses ‡ Public Footpaths ‡ Improve surfacing and detailing to riverside footpath. ‡ *XLOGKDOO Townscape ‡ 'HUQJDWH&KDUOHV5HQQLH0DFNLQWRVK ‡ Improve perception of the river through the town for people, wildlife and wider HQYLURQPHQWDOEHQH¿W on behalf W.J. Bassett-Lowke ‡ Manage and maintain vegetation in order not to impede river activities, improve visibility of the river, access, safety and the environment.

Information ‡ Develop river signage strategy to link the river to the Town Centre. Tourism

‡ Investigate potential of Northampton hosting a Inland Waterways Festival in support of the delivery of the River Nene improvement projects.

31 River Nene Waterspace Study Northampton to Abington Lock

9LHZORRNLQJHDVWIURP1RUWKDPSWRQ¶V6RXWK%ULGJH7KHWRZQUHTXLUHVDZDWHUVLGHVFKHPHZKLFKGUDZVSHRSOHIURPWKH WRZQFHQWUHZHOFRPHVYLVLWLQJERDWVDQGFDSLWDOLVHVRQWKHQHZPDULQDDQGXQLYHUVLW\GHYHORSPHQWV

/RRNIRURSSRUWXQLWLHVWRPLWLJDWHWKHKDUVKXQZHOFRPLQJ 5HGHVLJQHQWUDQFHWR1RUWKDPSWRQ:DWHUVLGHWRLQWHJUDWH6RXWK ,QYHVWLJDWHSRWHQWLDORIH[WHQGLQJQDYLJDWLRQRQWRWKH:HVWEULGJH TXD\VLGHV %ULGJHWKH/DWLPHU &ULFN%XLOGLQJDQGWKHÀRRGGHIHQFH $UPFRQQHFWLQJWRWKHVWDWLRQDQGGHYHORSLQJLQWKHORQJWHUPD HPEDQNPHQW ZDWHUWD[LVHUYLFHWRWKH8QLYHUVLW\

River Nene Waterspace Study 32 Northampton to Abington Lock

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Westbridge Arm Existing Public Rights of Way Connections to the River ‡ The Nene Way ‡ Develop pedestrian & cycle routes upstream of the Westbridge Arm towards the station via the Towcester Road Riverside and the Foot Meadow open spaces. Waterspace Activity

‡ Investigate potential of extending the River Navigation upstream of the entrance with the Grand Union Canal towards the Town Centre and station via the Westbridge Arm. Townscape

‡ 7KH)RRW0HDGRZKDELWDWLPSURYHPHQWLPSOHPHQWDWLRQWREHFRPSOHWHGE\HDUO\ ‡ Manage and maintain vegetation in order not to impede river activities, improve visibility of the river, access, safety and the environment. Information ‡ Develop river signage strategy to link the river to the Town Centre

Entrance to the Grand Union Canal Existing Public Rights of Way Townscape Northampton Arm ‡ The Nene Way ‡ ,PSURYHHQYLURQVRI1RUWKDPSWRQ/RFNWRFUHDWHD1RUWKDPSWRQZDWHUZD\µ*DWHZD\¶ ‡ Grand Union Canal Walk between the Grand Union Canal and the River Nene Navigation. ‡ Public Footpaths ‡ Manage and maintain vegetation in order not to impede river activities, improve visibility of the river, access, safety and the environment.

Information ‡ Develop river and canal signage strategy to link the Nene Way & Grand Union Canal Walk to the Town Centre.

33 River Nene Waterspace Study Northampton to Abington Lock

7KHVXFFHVVIXO1RUWKDPSWRQ0DULQDGHYHORSPHQWVHWZLWKLQ%HFNHWW¶V3DUN

7KHXQLYHUVLW\IRRWEULGJHXQGHUFRQVWUXFWLRQDFURVV1RUWKDPSWRQ/RFN 6XPPHU0HDGRZV(QYLURQPHQW$JHQF\+RXUYLVLWRU PRRULQJ

River Nene Waterspace Study 34 Northampton to Abington Lock

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Northampton Lock ‡ New Footbridge to University Waterspace Activity

‡ Beckett’s Park ‡ Improve Canoe Portage

Information

‡ Change the thrust of the EA’s lock signage messages to provide a positive impression of the waterway environment, introduce access routes, wildlife and heritage information.

Northampton Marina Permanent Moorings Waterspace Activity

Visitor Moorings ‡ Develop Café Boat mooring within the western portion of the basin. ‡ Toilets/Showers Information ‡ Pump Out/Elsan ‡ Develop River Nene Info Centre and waterway hub to act as the ‘gateway’ to the EA’s Anglian Waterway Network. ‡ Water Point ‡ Develop River Nene Mobile Boating App. - Purchase Boat Licence, review maps, ‡ Rubbish/Laundry mooring space, water points, fuel and pump outs etc. ‡ Northampton Sea Scouts HQ

Summer Meadows ($+RXU9LVLWRU0RRULQJV Connections to the River Barnes Meadow Nature Reserve ‡ Improve access to adjoining public rights of way along the river corridor. ‡ Picnic Site Waterspace Activity

Existing Public Rights of Way ‡ Manage and maintain vegetation in order not to impede river activities, improve visibility ‡ The Nene Way of the river, access, safety and the environment.

‡ Public Footpaths Information ‡ Cycle Track ‡ Develop river signage strategy to link to the wider Nene Valley.

35 River Nene Waterspace Study Northampton to Abington Lock

7KH1HQH:KLWH:DWHUFRXUVHLVSDUWRIDODUJHUIDFLOLW\LQFRUSRUDWLQJFDQRHLQJRQWKHPDLQULYHUVODORPEHORZ5XVK0LOOV:HLUDQG1RUWKDPSWRQ5RZLQJ&OXE

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Nene White Water Centre Northampton Canoe Centre Connections to the River Northampton Rowing Club ‡ Investigate potential for a ‘Boris Bike’ terminal with connections to the wider ‡ Parking Northampton Cycleway Network and Nene Valley Greenway Cycle Route. ‡ Picnic Site Waterspace Activity Existing Public Rights of Way ‡ Investigate opportunities for public slipway.

‡ Nene Way ‡ Public Footpaths ‡ Cycleway

River Nene Waterspace Study 36 Northampton to Abington Lock

5XVK0LOOV/RFN2SSRUWXQLW\IRUVFUHHQSODQWLQJWROHIWRI 5XVK0LOOV/RFN5DWLRQDOLVHUDLOLQJVDQGIHQFLQJWRFUHDWHDOHVV 7KHODFNRIIHQFLQJDURXQG$ELQJWRQ/RFNFUHDWHVDPRUH ORFNVLGHUHGXFHLPSDFWRIWKHFDUSDUN'LI¿FXOWFDQRHSRUWDJH LQWLPLGDWLQJGRZQVWUHDPDSSURDFK KDUPRQLRXVVHWWLQJIRUWKHORFNVWUXFWXUH+RZHYHUORFNVLGH GHWDLOLQJQHHGVWREHDGGUHVVHG

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Rush Mills Lock A45 Road Bridge Waterspace Activity $5RDG%ULGJH ‡ Improve canoe portage Pub - Britannia Inn Landscape Northamptonshire County Council ‡ Opportunity for screen planting to left of lockside to reduce the impact of the commercial Existing Public Rights of Way development car park. ‡ The Nene Way ‡ Rationalise railings and fencing to create a less intimidating downstream approach. ‡ Public Footpaths Information ‡ Northampton Cycleway ‡ Change the thrust of the EA’s lock signage messages to provide a positive impression ‡ Dismantled Railway (Potential) of the waterway environment, introduce access routes, wildlife and heritage information.

Abington Lock Abington Barrage Gate Waterspace Activity Existing Footpaths ‡ Improve canoe portage ‡ The Nene Way Information ‡ Change the thrust of the EA’s lock signage messages to provide a positive impression of the waterway environment, introduce access routes, wildlife and heritage information.

37 River Nene Waterspace Study Weston Favell Lock to Cogenhoe

Billing Marina

Billing Wharf

Weston Favell Lock

Northampton Boat Club

Billing Lock Legend

Existing Permanent Mooring

Existing Visitor Mooring Clifford Hill Lock Existing Water Point

Develop Backwater Canoe Route

Adequate Lock Portage

‘Crown Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. (QYLURQPHQW$JHQF\¶

River Nene Waterspace Study 38 Weston Favell Lock to Cogenhoe

1RUWKDPSWRQ:DVKODQGV )ORRG6WRUDJH$UHD :HVWRQ)DYHOO/RFNDQG1RUWKDPSWRQ%RDW&OXEZLWKRIÀLQHEDFNZDWHUPRRULQJV

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Weston Favell Lock ‡ Weston Barrage Gate Connections to the River

‡ +RXU9LVLWRU0RRULQJV ‡ Dismantled railway - potential greenway extension. ‡ Emergency Moorings Waterspace Activity

Northampton Boat Club ‡ ($+RXUYLVLWRUPRRULQJVWLPEHUUXEELQJVWUDNHQHHGVWREHUHSODFHG (Associate of Nene River Clubs) Environment ‡ Private Moorings & slipway ‡ A sewage pipe reportedly leads directly into the river - investigate ‡ Visitor Moorings Information Existing Footpaths ‡ Change the thrust of the EA’s lock signage messages to provide a positive impression ‡ The Nene Way of the waterway environment, introduce access routes, wildlife and heritage ‡ Public Footpaths information. ‡ Dismantled Railway

39 River Nene Waterspace Study &OLIIRUG0LOO/RFNRSSRUWXQLW\WRUHIHUHQFH LQWHUSUHW&OLIIRUG 8SVWUHDPFDQRHSODWIRUPDW&OLIIRUG0LOO/RFNZLWKHDV\DQG &UHDWHDPRUHZHOFRPLQJHQWUDQFHWR%LOOLQJ$TXDGURPHDQGWKH +LOO0RWWHDWK&HQWXU\GHIHQVLYHPRXQGZLWKLQWKHWUHHV VWUDLJKWIRUZDUGSRUWDJHWREDFNZDWHUFKDQQHO ULYHUFRUULGRU5HPRYHRYHUEHDULQJ UHGXQGDQWIHQFLQJ

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Clifford Hill Lock - Little Houghton Lock Bridge Headroom 2.65m Connections to the River ‡ Buglass Gallery & Coffee Shop ‡ Create gateway to Billing Aquadrome ‡ Clifford Hill Motte - Little Houghton ‡ Improve surfacing and detailing to riverside footpath. Defensive mound, 11/12th Century ‡ Pub - Red Lion ‡ Dismantled railway - potential greenway extension. ‡ Clifford Hill Mill ‡ 3RVW2I¿FH6WRUHV Waterspace Activity ‡ Little Houghton Church Existing Footpaths ‡ Improve canoe portage - St Mary the Virgin ‡ The Nene Way Landscape ‡ Public Footpaths ‡ Manage and maintain vegetation in order not to impede river activities, improve ‡ Dismantled Railway (Potential) visibility of the river, Clifford Hill, access, safety and the environment. Information & Interpretation

‡ Clifford Hill Motte - reference and interpretation opportunity ‡ Change the thrust of the EA’s lock signage messages to provide a positive impression, introduce access routes, wildlife and heritage information.

River Nene Waterspace Study 40 6XPPHUFDPSLQJRQ%LOOLQJ0HDGRZV %LOOLQJ/RFN6WHSSHGDFFHVVWRFDQRHSODWIRUPLQWREDFNZDWHU ,PSURYHH[LVWLQJYLVLWRUPRRULQJDW%LOOLQJ0LOO %HWWHUVLJQDJHLVUHTXLUHGIRUSRUWDJHURXWH

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Billing Lock /RFN%ULGJH+HDGURRPP Billing Lock - Cluster of Activity Location Causeway Road Bridge Headroom 3.00m Connections to the River

Pub - Billing Mill ‡ Dismantled railway - potential greenway extension. Billing Wharf - Princess Yachts Waterspace Activity

River Facilities ‡ Improve existing visitor mooring at Billing Mill.

‡ Public Moorings ‡ Improve canoe portage - better signage required for portage route ‡ Slipway ‡ Landscape Existing Public Rights of Way ‡ Manage and maintain vegetation in order not to impede river activities, improve ‡ The Nene Way visibility of the river, access, safety and the environment. ‡ Public Footpaths Information ‡ Dismantled Railway ‡ Change the thrust of the EA’s lock signage messages to provide a positive impression, introduce access routes, wildlife and heritage information.

41 River Nene Waterspace Study Weston Favell Lock to Cogenhoe

%LOOLQJ/RFN&OXVWHURI$FWLYLW\/RFDWLRQ Cogenhoe Mill. 3ULYDWHPRRULQJVZLWKLQEDFNZDWHUFKDQQHOOHDGLQJWR&RJHQKRH Mill.

)HQFLQJVXUURXQGLQJWKHXSVWUHDPSODWIRUPDW&RJHQKRH/RFN KLQGHUVFDQRHSRUWDJH,VWKHIHQFLQJQHFHVVDU\"

&RJHQKRH/RFNUDWLRQDOLVHIHQFLQJUDLOLQJVDQGGHYHORSDFRQVLVWHQWGHVLJQDSSURDFKWRVW\OHDQGZKHUHQHHGHG5HPRYHEURNHQDQG UHGXQGDQWIHQFLQJDQGUDLOLQJV

River Nene Waterspace Study 42 Weston Favell Lock to Cogenhoe

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Billing Marina ‡ Water Point Billing Lock - Cluster of Activity Location ‡ Electricity ‡ Pump Out ‡ Diesel ‡ Cafe/Restaurant/Bar ‡ Shops ‡ Fishing ‡ Cycle Hire ‡ Caravan/Camp Site

Cogenhoe Billing Footbridge - Headroom 2.4m Connections to the River Pub - Royal Oak Dismantled railway - potential greenway extension. ‡ Cogenhoe Church - St. Peter’s Existing Public Rights of Way ‡ Cogenhoe Mill ‡ The Nene Way ‡ Northamptonshire Round ‡ Public Footpaths ‡ Dismantled Railway

43 River Nene Waterspace Study Cogenhoe Lock to Earls Barton Lock

Earls Barton Lock

White Mills Marina

White Mills Lock

Whiston Lock Legend

Existing Permanent Mooring

Existing Visitor Mooring

Existing Water Point

Proposed Visitor Mooring Cogenhoe Lock Develop Backwater Canoe Route

Adequate Lock Portage

Poor/No Lock Portage

‘Crown Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. (QYLURQPHQW$JHQF\¶

River Nene Waterspace Study 44 Cogenhoe Lock to Earls Barton Lock

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Cogenhoe Lock 8QRI¿FLDO¿HOGPRRULQJVXSVWUHDPRIORFN Connections to the River /RFN%ULGJH+HDGURRPP ‡ Improve access to adjoining public rights of way along the river corridor. Permanent Moorings in mill arm ‡ Dismantled railway - potential greenway extension. Waterspace Activity Cogenhoe Mill Caravan Park ‡ Improve canoe portage - remove fencing around platforms. ‡ Moorings/slipway ‡ Develop canoe access and improve signage to backwater to the north of the main ‡ Toilets/showers river channel leading around Cogenhoe Lock. ‡ Water point Landscape Shop ‡ ‡ Manage and maintain vegetation in order not to impede river activities, improve Existing Public Rights of Way visibility of the river, access, safety and the environment. ‡ The Nene Way Information ‡ The Northamptonshire Round ‡ Develop river signage strategy to link the wider Nene Valley and the Northamptonshire Round. ‡ Public Footpaths ‡ Change the thrust of the EA’s lock signage messages to provide a positive ‡ Dismantled Railway impression, introduce access routes, wildlife and heritage information.

Whiston Lock /RFN%ULGJH+HDGURRPP Connections to the River )DUP%ULGJH+HDGURRPP ‡ Improve footpath between Whiston Lock, White Mills Lock and Earls Barton Lock along the river to create an alternative route to the Nene Way via Earls Barton. Existing Public Rights of Way ‡ Dismantled railway - potential greenway extension. ‡ The Nene Way Waterspace Activity ‡ Public Footpaths ‡ Proposed visitor moorings downstream of lock landing. ‡ Dismantled Railway ‡ Canoe upstream platform burnt down. Reinstate platforms both up and downstream. Information ‡ Change the thrust of the EA’s lock signage messages to provide a positive impression, introduce access routes, wildlife and heritage information.

45 River Nene Waterspace Study Cogenhoe Lock to Earls Barton Lock

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Whiston Existing Public Rights of Way Connections to the River ‡ Public Footpaths ‡ Improve access to adjoining public rights of way along the river corridor. ‡ Whiston Church - St Mary the Virgin Waterspace Activity ‡ 3ODFH+RXVHPRDW ¿VKSRQG ‡ Proposed visitor moorings downstream of lock landing. ‡ Reinstate Canoe Portage, both up and downstream. Information & Interpretation ‡ Create a positive impression of the villages heritage and amenities, introduce access routes and wildlife interest.

White Mills Marina ‡ Permanent Moorings White Mills Marina - Cluster of Activity Location ‡ Visitor Moorings Connections to the River ‡ Electric & water points ‡ New marina development, opportunity for marina to become a waterway hub providing facilities for local businesses with access to the wider Nene Valley public ‡ Diesel & gas rights of way. ‡ Toilets & showers Waterspace Activity ‡ Pump out & elsan ‡ 2SSRUWXQLW\IRUKRXUPRRULQJ ‡ Laundry & Refuse recycling Information ‡ Coffee lounge ‡ Opportunity to base Nenescape museum/education boat at marina. ‡ Chandlery & shop ‡ Car Park ‡ Bike hire

River Nene Waterspace Study 46 Cogenhoe Lock to Earls Barton Lock

&KDOHWPRELOHKRPHVGRZQVWUHDPRI&RJHQKRH/RFN (QWUDQFHWR:KLWH0LOOV0DULQDXSVWUHDPRI:KLWH0LOOV/RFN :KLWH0LOOV0DULQD&OXVWHURI$FWLYLW\/RFDWLRQ

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

White Mills Lock ‡ /RFN%ULGJH+HDGURRPP Connections to the River ‡ Car Park ‡ Improve footpath between Whiston Lock, White Mills Lock and Earls Barton Lock along the river to create an alternative route to the Nene Way via Earls Barton. ‡ Picnic Site ‡ Dismantled railway between White Mills to the Hardwater Crossing to be opened as ‡ Gantry Headroom 3.3m DJUHHQZD\F\FOHZD\H[WHQVLRQSDUWRI6DJUHHPHQWRQFH+DQVRQKDV¿QLVKHG Existing Footpaths quarrying. Question over designation of path and future maintenance. ‡ The Nene Way Waterspace Activity ‡ Northamptonshire Round ‡ Reinstate canoe portage, both up and downstream. Improve portage route, particularly ‡ Public Footpaths at road crossing and downstream access point. ‡ Dismantled Railway ‡ Investigate opportunity for canoe portage to be on the right bank on the upstream lock approach and across the road to the south of the lock to access the river just beyond the downstream lock landing. ‡ Improve canoe access from riverside car park to the south east of White Mills Lock Information ‡ Change the thrust of the EA’s lock signage messages to provide a positive impression of the waterway environment, introduce access routes, wildlife and heritage information.

47 River Nene Waterspace Study Earls Barton Lock to Wollaston Lock

Wollaston Lock

Wollaston Marina

Legend

Existing Permanent Mooring

Existing Visitor Mooring

Existing FORTN Mooring

Existing Water Point

Proposed Visitor Mooring Doddington Lock Develop Backwater Canoe Route

Adequate Lock Portage

Poor/No Lock Portage

Earls Barton Lock ‘Crown Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. (QYLURQPHQW$JHQF\¶

River Nene Waterspace Study 48 Earls Barton Lock to Wollaston Lock

7KHEXLOGXSRIZHHGLQWKHQDYLJDWLRQLVDQRQJRLQJ($ 0DQ\RIWKH($¶VORFNVLGHVLJQVVXIIHUIURPJUDI¿WLDQGDUH (DUOV%DUWRQ/RFNIHQFLQJVXUURXQGLQJWKHGRZQVWUHDPFDQRH PDLQWHQDQFHUHVSRQVLELOLW\:HHGFXWWLQJLQSURJUHVVXSVWUHDP LQSRRUFRQGLWLRQ2SSRUWXQLW\WRUHQHZµ:HOFRPH6LJQV¶WR SODWIRUPKLQGHUVSRUWDJH*DWHVDUHWRRQDUURZIRUWKHEHDPRI RI(DUOV%DUWRQ/RFN KLJKOLJKWDFFHVVZLOGOLIHDQGKHULWDJHLQIRUPDWLRQUDWKHUWKDQ VWDQGDUGVL]HFDQRHV,VWKHIHQFLQJQHFHVVDU\",IQRWUHPRYH MXVWWKHGDQJHUVDQGSUHFDXWLRQV

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Earls Barton Lock /RFN%ULGJH+HDGURRPP Connections to the River Existing Footpaths ‡ Improve footpath between Whiston Lock, White Mills Lock and Earls Barton Lock ‡ Earls Barton Mill & Mill House ‡ The Nene Way along the river to create an alternative route to the Nene Way via Earls Barton. ‡ Northamptonshire Round ‡ Improve access to adjoining public rights of way along the river corridor. ‡ Public Footpaths Waterspace Activity ‡ Dismantled Railway (Potential) ‡ Improve canoe portage - remove fencing around downstream platform. Grendon Lakes (Watersports) ‡ Develop canoe access and improve signage to backwater to the north of the main river channel leading around Earls Barton Lock. ‡ Water Activities - (Water Skiing) ‡ Develop links to Grendon Lakes Watersports for kayaking and canoeing. ‡ Fishing Information ‡ Caravan/Camping Site ‡ Change the thrust of the EA’s lock signage messages to provide a positive ‡ Restaurant/Bar impression, introduce access routes, wildlife and heritage information.

49 River Nene Waterspace Study Earls Barton Lock to Wollaston Lock

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Earls Barton ‡ Pub - The Stag’s Head - Vineyard (mirco brewery) ‡ Earls Barton Church - All Saints’ ‡ Museum (Anglo-Saxon, 10th Century) ‡ Library ‡ Shops Existing Footpaths ‡ Public Footpaths

Doddington Lock 8QRI¿FLDOPRRULQJóPLOHXSVWUHDPRIORFN Connections to the River Lock Bridge Headroom 2.5m ‡ Dismantled railway - Hardwater Crossing to Wollaston Marina greenway/cycleway ‡ Roman Building Doddington Road Bridge Headroom 2.6m H[WHQVLRQGXHWREHRSHQHGLQEULGOHZD\GHVLJQDWLRQ\HWWREHFRQ¿UPHG ‡ Hardwater Mill - Thomas à Becket is Manor Farm Mooring - (Friends of the ‡ Develop potential to create a Thomas à Becket trail. reputed to have hidden here when River Nene) ‡ Develop links to Summer Leys Nature Reserve. ÀHHLQJ1RUWKDPSWRQ Footbridge Headroom 2.3m ‡ Investigate linking the nature reserves along the river to create one overall Nene Summer Leys Nature Reserve Valley Nature Reserve in conjuction with the developing greenway corridor. ‡ Car Park Waterspace Activity ‡ Picnic Site ‡ Improve canoe portage Existing Footpaths Information ‡ The Nene Way ‡ Change the thrust of the EA’s lock signage messages to provide a positive impression ‡ Public Footpaths of the waterway environment, introduce access routes, wildlife and heritage information. ‡ Dismantled Railway

Great Doddington ‡ Pub - The Stag’s Head ‡ Shop ‡ Gt. Doddington Church - St. Nicholas Existing Footpaths ‡ The Nene Way ‡ Public Footpaths

River Nene Waterspace Study 50 Earls Barton Lock to Wollaston Lock

:ROODVWRQ/RFN+ROLVWLFORFNVLGHLPSURYHPHQWVDQGERXQGDU\VFKHPHUHTXLUHG 'HYLVHFDQRHSRUWDJHURXWHZKLFKGRHVQRWUHTXLUHOLIWLQJFDQRHV RYHUIHQFHVRUXQGHUEDUEHGZLUH

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Wollaston Lock Wollaston Footbridge Headroom 2.6m Connections to the River /RFN%ULGJH+HDGURRPP ‡ Northamptonshire Highways have written a feasibility study to extend the greenway/ cycleway to Wellingborough, at present no funding is available. Wollaston Marina - Private Moorings ‡ Improve access to adjoining public rights of way along the river corridor. Existing Public Rights of Way Waterspace Activity ‡ The Nene Way ‡ Improve canoe portage - devise route which does not require lifting canoes over fences . ‡ Public Footpaths Information ‡ Dismantled Railway (Potential) ‡ Change the thrust of the EA’s lock signage messages to provide a positive impression of the waterway environment, introduce access routes, wildlife and heritage information.

Wollaston ‡ Pub - The Wollaston Inn ‡ Museum ‡ Wollaston Church - St. Mary’s ‡ Library ‡ Wollaston Mill ‡ Castle Motte ‡ Romano - British settlement

51 River Nene Waterspace Study Upper Wellingborough Lock to Ditchford Lock

Ditchford Lock

Lower Wellingborough Lock

Wellingborough

Legend

Existing Permanent Mooring Wellingborough Embankment Existing Visitor Mooring

Existing FORTN Mooring

Existing Water Point

Upper Wellingborough Lock Proposed Visitor Mooring

Adequate Lock Portage

Poor/No Lock Portage

Detailed Waterspace Study Required

‘Crown Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. (QYLURQPHQW$JHQF\¶

River Nene Waterspace Study 52 Upper Wellingborough Lock to Ditchford Lock

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Upper Wellingborough Lock Canoe Portage to Back Channel Waterspace Activity

Little Irchester ‡ Improve Canoe Portage ‡ Turnalls Mill Wheel - heritage restoration ‡ Railway Museum Information

Irchester Country Park ‡ Change the thrust of the EA’s lock signage messages to provide a positive ‡ Visitor Centre impression, introduce access routes, wildlife and heritage information. ‡ Picnic Area ‡ Toilets ‡ Car Parking Existing Footpaths

‡ The Nene Way

‡ Public Footpaths ‡ Dismantled Railway (Potential)

Irchester ‡ Nene Way Footbridge ‡ Railway Bridge ‡ Irchester Church - St Katherine’s - ‡ Pub - Carpenter’s Arms The building dates from the 13th Century ‡ Caravan Park ‡ Roman burial ground Existing Footpaths

‡ Nene Way ‡ Public Footpaths

53 River Nene Waterspace Study Upper Wellingborough Lock to Ditchford Lock

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Wellingborough ‡ Mills Road Bridge 2.6m Wellingborough Embankment - River Gateway Location ‡ Whitworth’s Flour Mill Detailed waterspace study required to take account of Wellingborough’s waterway ‡ Wellingborough Church - All Hallows - - Victoria Mills opportunities and proposed urban extension. The building dates from 13/16th Centuries Ensure new development proposals relate to and improve the river corridor. ‡ ($+U3XEOLF0RRULQJ ‡ ‡ Anglo-Saxon settlement mentioned in the ‡ Wellingborough Embankment to become an active hub to draw people to the ‡ Water Point Domesday Book waterfront and an inviting place for boaters to stop. ‡ Toilets/Pump Out/Elsan ‡ 6DQGHUVRQ¶V&XWLQ¿OOHGFDQDO ‡ Investigate opportunities to enhance Whitworth Mills waterfront and historic ‡ Pubs - Dog & Duck ‡ Whitworth’s Flour Mill and the mill building for public use and waterway hub. transportation of wheat by water Crown & Anchor ‡ Potential to create new marina and reopen canal cut towards the town. ‡ Shops - Tesco’s etc. River Nene corridor has the potential to be a blue/green corridor for wildlife, health, ‡ Farmer’s Market last Thursday of aesthetics and to showcase sustainable development linking Wellingborough’s the month Sustainable Urban extension to the river and valley corridor.

‡ Station Connections to the River ‡ Museums ‡ The continuation of greenway/cycleway route is expected to be incorporated within the Wellingborough East (WEAST) Development proposals. ‡ Theatre ‡ Investigate potential for a ‘Boris Bike’ terminal with connections to the wider ‡ Library Northampton Cycleway Network and Nene Valley Greenway Cycle Route. ‡ Swimming Baths ‡ Develop waterway and pedestrian links to Chester House. Existing Footpaths Waterspace Activity ‡ The Nene Way ‡ Improve visitor moorings and canoe access along The Embankment. ‡ Public Footpaths ‡ Improve toilet block and pump out facility. ‡ Old Railway Bridge - Footbridge Tourism ‡ Dismantled Railway (Potential) ‡ Promote Wellingborough’s heritage, wildlife and wider river valley context.

‡ Investigate potential of Wellingborough hosting a Inland Waterways Festival in support of the delivery of the River Nene improvement projects.

River Nene Waterspace Study 54 Upper Wellingborough Lock to Ditchford Lock

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55 River Nene Waterspace Study Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Lower Wellingborough Lock ‡ Wellingborough Station Connections to the River ‡ River Ise ‡ As part of the Sustainable Urban Extension establish connections between the River ‡ &KHVWHU)DUP+HULWDJH3DUNLVD P Existing Public Rights of Way Nene Valley and Ise Park. project funded by Heritage Lottery Fund ‡ Public Footpaths ‡ As part of the Chester House project improve connections with the Nene Way and Northamptonshire County Council. linking to Rushen & Stanwick Lakes with future connections to the Northamptonshire Chester Farm shows evidence from the ‡ Dismantled Railway (Potential) Greenway/cycleway corridor. Mesolithic, Iron Age, a Roman Town and ‡ Improve bridge access across the river linking Chester Farm and the Nene Way. Medieval periods, together with a complex of traditional farm buildings dating back to Waterspace Activity WKHWKFHQWXU\ ‡ Project required to improve the lock and weir environment in association with the town’s urban extension and Ise Park. Remove palisade fencing around lockside.

‡ Investigate potential for a water taxi from Wellingborough/Rushden to Chester Farm ‡ Improve canoe portage - explore opportunity for route to be to the right of the weir. Remove fencing around downstream canoe platform.

‡ Develop visitor moorings and canoe access at Chester House Farm. Landscape ‡ Manage and maintain vegetation in order not to impede river activities, improve visibility of the river, access, safety and the environment. Information

‡ Change the thrust of the EA’s lock signage messages to provide a positive impression, introduce access routes, wildlife and heritage information.

River Nene Waterspace Study 56 3URMHFWUHTXLUHGWRLPSURYHWKHORFNDQGZHLUHQYLURQPHQWLQ /RZHU:HOOLQJERURXJK/RFN5HPRYHSDOLVDGHIHQFLQJDURXQG 3LFQLFORFDWLRQVWRJHWKHUZLWKDUHDVRIUHVWDUHLQIUHTXHQWDORQJ DVVRFLDWLRQZLWKWKHWRZQ¶VXUEDQH[WHQVLRQDQG,VH3DUN ORFNVLGH WKHULYHU7KHUHLVDUHTXLUHPHQWIRUPRUHYLVLWRUPRRULQJ  VWRSSLQJSODFHV

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Ditchford Lock ‡ Ditchford Mooring - FOTRN Connections to the River ‡ 'LWFKIRUG%ULGJHP ‡ Develop future connections to the Northamptonshire Greenway/cycleway corridor ‡ Rare radial lock gate ‡ Lock Bridge Headroom 2.5m extension between Wellingborough and Irthlingborough. ‡ Private Moorings Waterspace Activity ‡ Toilets/Elsan ‡ Develop canoe access and improve signage to backwater to the north of the main river channel leading around Ditchford Lock. ‡ Shop ‡ Improve Canoe Portage - explore opportunity for route to be closer to the lock. ‡ Nene Valley Ski Club Landscape ‡ Ditchford Lake & Meadows ‡ Develop boundary campaign to mitigate the effect of haulage depot impact on the Nature reserve river and the approaches to Ditchford Bridge. Existing Public Rights of Way Information ‡ The Nene Way ‡ Change the thrust of the EA’s lock signage messages to provide a positive ‡ Public Footpaths impression, introduce access routes, wildlife and heritage information. ‡ Dismantled Railway

57 River Nene Waterspace Study Rushden Lock to Irthlingborough Lock

Irthlingborough Lock

Higham Ferrers Lock

Legend

Existing Permanent Mooring

M Existing Visitor Mooring

Existing Water Point

Proposed Visitor Mooring M Investigate Marina Potential Potential Trip Boat

Proposed Canoe Access

Develop Backwater Canoe Route

Poor/No Lock Portage ‘Crown Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. (QYLURQPHQW$JHQF\¶

River Nene Waterspace Study 58 Rushden Lock to Irthlingborough Lock

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Rushden ‡ Conveyor Bridge 3.6m Rushden Lakes - Cluster of Activity Location ‡ Pub - Kings Head & Tea Room Connections to the River Rushden Church - St. Mary’s Monday ‡ ‡ Splash Leisure Pool ‡ Promote connections with the river valley corridor, the Nene Way and the 14th Century spire & rare ‘Strainer Arch’ to ‡ Rushden Historical Transport Northamptonshire Greenway from Higham Ferrers, Rushden and Raunds. The support tower. Society A45 is percieved as a barrier between these towns and the river. ‡ Improve access to adjoining public rights of way along the river corridor. ‡ Library ‡ Restore derelict conveyor bridge as part of the future extension to the Existing Footpaths Northamptonshire Greenway/cycleway corridor to connect with the Rushden ‡ Public Footpaths Lakes complex. Currently Northamptonshire Highways are undertaking a ‡ Northamptonshire Greenway feasibility study to connect with the Wellingborough East development. ‡ Investigate potential for a ‘Boris Bike’ terminal and cycle hire at Rushden Lakes. ‡ Develop access between the river, Rushden Lakes and the town - new pedestrian/cycle bridge planned over A45. ‡ Develop Nene Valley bus service to link Rushden Lakes, Stanwick Lakes and other waterway hubs along the river. Waterspace Activity ‡ Develop visitor moorings and canoe access to Rushden Lakes. Currently canoe access under construction to allow Canoe 2 to access the river from their new EDVH  DW5XVKGHQ/DNHV ‡ Investigate trip boat potential between Rushden and Stanwick Lakes ‡ Investigate potential for marina development within the Rushden Lakes development. Information ‡ Develop river signage strategy, links to the Nene Way & Northamptonshire Greenway. Tourism ‡ Opportunity to promote Rushden Lakes as a gateway into the Nene Valley with new visitor centre being developed by Wildlife Trust. ‡ Promote Rushden’s heritage, wildlife and wider river valley context.

59 River Nene Waterspace Study Rushden Lock to Irthlingborough Lock

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Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Higham Ferrers Lock )DUP%ULGJH1HQH:D\ Waterspace Activity /RFN%ULGJH+HDGURRPP ‡ Poor canoe portage provision at lock Irthlingborough Lakes & Meadows - The ‡ Develop canoe access to backwater around Higham Ferrers Lock Wildlife Trust ‡ Develop visitor moorings downstream of the lock to connect with the Existing Footpaths Northamptonshire Greenway. ‡ The Nene Way Information ‡ Dismantled Railway ‡ Change the thrust of the EA’s lock signage messages to provide a positive ‡ Northamptonshire Greenway impression, introduce access routes, wildlife and heritage information. ‡ Public Footpaths

River Nene Waterspace Study 60 Rushden Lock to Irthlingborough Lock

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Higham Ferrers ‡ Nene Way Footbridge Connections to the River ‡ Pub - The Bell ‡ Promote connections with the river valley corridor, the Nene Way and the Higham Ferrers Church - St Mary the Virgin ‡ ‡ Library Northamptonshire Greenway from Higham Ferrers, Rushden and Raunds. ‡ Castle (Site of) - Fish Ponds ‡ Shops The A45 is percieved as a barrier between these towns and the river. ‡ Chichele College - Henry Chichele (c.1364– ‡ Higham Ferrers Nature Reserve ‡ Improve access to adjoining public rights of way along the river corridor. 1443) was born in Higham Ferrers. He ‡ Develop more circular walking routes from Thrapston to Wellingborough became Archbishop of Canterbury and Existing Footpaths creating links between the Nene Way, river and Greenway, encourage days founded All Souls College, Oxford. ‡ The Nene Way out and short breaks in conjunction with bike and canoe hire. ‡ Higham Ferrers School founded in 1422. ‡ Northamptonshire Greenway Waterspace Activity ‡ Public Footpaths ‡ Develop visitor moorings at Higham Ferrers Nature Reserve. The moorings will connect with the Nene Way, local footpaths and a footbridge over the river leading to the town. Information

‡ Develop river signage strategy to link the Nene Way & Northamptonshire Greenway. Tourism

‡ Promote Higham Ferrers heritage, wildlife and wider river valley context.

61 River Nene Waterspace Study Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Irthlingborough ‡ High Road Bridge - viaduct Connections to the River ‡ Footbridge ‡ Promote connections with the river valley corridor, the Nene Way and the ‡ Irthlingborough Church - St. Peter’s ‡ 0HGLHYDODUFKHGEULGJHP Northamptonshire Greenway. The famous lantern tower once used as a ‡ Pub - The Bell ‡ Improve access to adjoining public rights of way along the river corridor. beacon to guide travellers through the Nene Waterspace Activity Valley is prominent on the town’s skyline. ‡ Shops ‡ Develop a canoe access point on backwater to the east of Irthlingborough. ‡ Market Cross Existing Footpaths ‡ The Nene Way Information ‡ Northamptonshire Greenway ‡ Develop river signage strategy to link the Nene Way & Northamptonshire Greenway. ‡ Public Footpaths

Irthlingborough Lock /RFN%ULGJH+HDGURRPP Waterspace Activity Pipe Bridge 3.3m ‡ Improve mooring facilities, reinstate water point and pump out. Footbridge 2.5m - Access to Stanwick Lakes ‡ Develop potential marina options as part of regeneration proposals to existing ($+RXU0RRULQJV retail development. ‡ No Water Point at EA moorings ‡ Develop canoe access and improve signage to backwater leading through Stanwick Lakes. ‡ Pump Out & Toilets closed ‡ Poor canoe portage provision at lock. Improve signage to indicate portage to ‡ The Frontier Centre - Activity Centre ford in small backwater to the right of the lock. Existing Footpaths Information ‡ The Nene Way ‡ Change the thrust of the EA’s lock signage messages to provide a positive ‡ Northamptonshire Greenway impression of the waterway environment, introduce access routes, wildlife and ‡ Public Footpaths heritage information.

River Nene Waterspace Study 62 Nene Way

Approximate Mooring No.s

A Narrowboats 19 Car Parking Irthlingborough Cruisers - Marina High Lock 19 Ground Office B Narrowboats 42 Potential Slip Cruisers - 42 C Narrowboats 18 Lock Operation Moorings Cruisers 12 Drop off Car Parking

30 Cruisers Cruiser & Narrowboat D Narrowboats 2 Cruisers E Moorings Cruisers 21 23 E Narrowboats 2 Cruisers ,UWKOLQJERURXJK($+RXUPRRULQJVUHLQVWDWHZDWHUSRLQWDQG Cruisers 10 Cruisers D SXPSRXW 12 Fairway Total 126 Stanwick Lakes Country Park Narrowboats 16m Access Track Existing Hedgerow & Ditch

Narrowboats 16m C

22m

Fairway

Weir

Made up Narrowboats 18/22m ground to River Nene retain marina B Narrowboats Fairway A 22m

Slip Pump Out & Service Mooring ,UWKOLQJERURXJK/RFN3RRUFDQRHSRUWDJHSURYLVLRQDWORFN ,PSURYHVLJQDJHWRLQGLFDWHSRUWDJHWRIRUGLQVPDOOEDFNZDWHUWR WKHULJKWRIWKHORFN Irthlingborough Proposed Development Sketch Mooring Proposls

63 River Nene Waterspace Study Stanwick Lakes to Upper Ringstead Lock

Legend

Existing Permanent Mooring Upper Ringstead Lock Existing Visitor Mooring Blackthorn Lake Marina Existing Water Point

Proposed Visitor Mooring

Potential Trip Boat

Proposed Canoe Access

Develop Backwater Canoe Route

Adequate Lock Portage

‘Crown Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. (QYLURQPHQW$JHQF\¶

River Nene Waterspace Study 64 Stanwick Lakes to Upper Ringstead Lock

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Stanwick Lakes Nature Reserve & Activity Centre Stanwick Lakes - Cluster of Activity Location ‡ Visitors Centre Connections to the River ‡ Neolithic Long Barrows Footbridge 2.6m ‡ Improve access to adjoining public rights of way along the river corridor. ‡ Bronze Age Round Barrows Existing Footpaths ‡ Investigate potential for a ‘Boris Bike’ terminal with connections to the wider ‡ The Nene Way ‡ Iron Age Round Houses Northampton Cycleway Network and Nene Valley Greenway Cycle Route. ‡ Public Footpaths ‡ 5RPDQ9LOODLQFOXGLQJPRVDLFÀRRUV Waterspace Activity ‡ Northamptonshire Greenway ‡ Late Saxon watermill ‡ Develop visitor moorings to access Stanwick Lakes and visitors centre. ‡ Small Norman Manor House, hamlet of ‡ Develop canoe access and improve signage to backwater leading through West Cotton and ridge & furrow farming Stanwick Lakes. system. ‡ Investigate trip boat potential between Stanwick and Rushden Lakes. ‡ %\WKH¶VWKHODQGVFDSHKDGEHHQ Information HQFORVHGLQWRDVHULHVRIODUJH¿HOGV ‡ Promote Northamptonshire Greenway and access opportunities to ‡ 1RUWKDPSWRQ3HWHUERURXJK5DLOZD\ neighbouring towns and villages along its route.  ‡ *UDYHOH[WUDFWLRQEHWZHHQ

Stanwick ‡ Pub - The Duke of Wellington Connections to the River ‡ 6KRS 3RVW2I¿FH ‡ The A45 is percieved as a barrier between the village and the river. ‡ Stanwick Church - St. Laurence ‡ Existing Footpaths Requirement for a safe crossing point over the A45 to Stanwick Lakes, the Northamptonshire Greenway and the river.

‡ Improve access to adjoining public rights of way along the river corridor.

65 River Nene Waterspace Study Stanwick Lakes to Upper Ringstead Lock

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Raunds ‡ Pub - George & Dragon Waterspace Activity - The Globe ‡ Develop visitor moorings to access Greenway and footpaths to Raunds. ‡ Raunds Church - St. Peter’s ‡ Shops & restaurants Connections to the River ‡ Anglo-Saxon Cemetery Existing Footpaths ‡ Promote connections with the river valley corridor, the Nene Way and the ‡ The Manor House - Grade II Listed ‡ Public Footpaths Northamptonshire Greenway from Higham Ferrers, Rushden and Raunds. ‡ Medieval Village of Mallows Cotton (Site of) The A45 is percieved as a barrier between these towns and the river.

‡ Improve access to adjoining public rights of way along the river corridor.

Little Addington ‡ Pub - The Bell Connections to the River - The Crows Nest ‡ Improve access to adjoining public rights of way along the river corridor. ‡ Little Addington Church - St. Mary the Virgin Existing Footpaths Waterspace Activity 13th - 14th Century ‡ The Nene Way ‡ Develop visitor moorings to access Stanwick Lakes and visitors centre. ‡ Public Footpaths Information

‡ Develop river signage strategy to link the Nene Way & Northamptonshire Greenway.

‡ Promote proposed visitor moorings at Stanwick Lakes to access village via footbridge over the river.

Upper Ringstead Lock /RFN%ULGJH+HDGURRPP Waterspace Activity Existing Footpaths ‡ Develop visitor moorings below lock to access Great and Little Addington. ‡ The Nene Way ‡ Develop canoe access and improve signage to backwater to the west of the ‡ Public Footpaths main river channel. ‡ Northamptonshire Greenway Information ‡ Change the thrust of the EA’s lock signage messages to provide a positive impression, introduce access routes, wildlife and heritage information.

River Nene Waterspace Study 66 Stanwick Lakes to Upper Ringstead Lock

*RRGULYHUVLGHDFFHVVDWWKH)URQWLHU/RGJH$GYHQWXUH&DPS 3URYLGHYLVLWRUPRRULQJVFORVHWRWKHIRRWEULGJHFDUU\LQJWKH 8SSHU5LQJVWHDG/RFN$JDSLQWKHORFNEDUUDJHSURYLGHV 1HQH:D\EHWZHHQ6WDQZLFN/DNHVDQG/LWWOH$GGLQJWRQ DFFHVVWRWKHXSVWUHDPFDQRHSODWIRUP7KLVDSSURDFKFRXOGEH H[WHQGHGWRRWKHUORFDWLRQVWRXWLOLVHEDFNZDWHUVIRUFDQRHLQJ

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Blackthorn Lake Marina ‡ Permanent moorings Connections to the River ‡ Visitor moorings ‡ Improve access to adjoining public rights of way along the river corridor. ‡ Water Point Waterspace Activity ‡ Electricity/Fuel/Gas ‡ Improve tight turn into the entrance of marina. ‡ Toilets/Shower/Pump out/Elsan Information ‡ Laundry room ‡ Develop river signage strategy to link the Nene Way & Northamptonshire ‡ Chandlery Greenway. ‡ Slipway/Dry Dock/Boat repairs ‡ Camp site

Great Addington ‡ 5RDG%ULGJHP Waterspace Activity ‡ 2OG5DLOZD\%ULGJHP ‡ Develop visitor moorings below Upper Ringstead Lock to access Great ‡ Great Addington Church - All Saints ‡ Pub - Hare & Hounds Addington. ‡ Manor House

67 River Nene Waterspace Study Great Addington to Denford Lock

Denford Lock

Woodford Lock

Woodford Riverside Marina

Legend

Existing Permanent Mooring Willy Watt Marina Existing Visitor Mooring

Existing Water Point

Existing FORTN Mooring

Proposed Visitor Mooring

Proposed Canoe Access Lower Ringstead Lock Develop Backwater Canoe Route

Adequate Lock Portage

Ringstead Poor/No Lock Portage Blackthorn Lake Marina ‘Crown Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. (QYLURQPHQW$JHQF\¶

River Nene Waterspace Study 68 Great Addington to Denford Lock

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Willy Watt Marina ‡ Permanent moorings Willy Watt Marina - Cluster of Activity Location ‡ Visitor moorings Connections to the River ‡ Boat Hire ‡ Improve access to adjoining public rights of way along the river corridor. ‡ Water Point ‡ Investigate potential for a ‘Boris Bike’ terminal with connections to the wider ‡ Pump out/Elsan Northampton Cycleway Network and Nene Valley Greenway Cycle Route. ‡ Fuel Waterspace Activity ‡ Boatyard/Dry Dock/Slipway ‡ Investigate developing visitor moorings and canoe access to tea room garden. ‡ Old Woodford Mill Tea Shop Information (Hydro - powered electricity) ‡ Develop river signage strategy to link the Nene Way & Northamptonshire ‡ Canoe Access Point Greenway.

Lower Ringstead Lock Old Railway Bridge Waterspace Activity /RFN%ULGJH+HDGURRPP ‡ Poor canoe portage provision at lock. Rethink canoe portage, particularly ‡ Woodford Mill Existing Footpaths at road crossing and downstream access point. Consider warning signs for DSSURDFKLQJWUDI¿FDQGFKDQJLQJ0 turn. ‡ The Nene Way Information ‡ Northamptonshire Greenway ‡ Change the thrust of the EA’s lock signage messages to provide a positive ‡ Public Footpaths impression of the waterway environment, introduce access routes, wildlife and heritage information.

69 River Nene Waterspace Study Great Addington to Denford Lock

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Ringstead ‡ Pub - Axe & Compass Connections to the River ‡ 3RVWRI¿FH ‡ Improve access to adjoining public rights of way along the river corridor. ‡ Ringstead Church - St. Mary’s ‡ Shops Information ‡ Fish & chip shop ‡ Develop river signage strategy to link the Nene Way & Northamptonshire Kinewell Lake Nature Reserve Greenway.

‡ Parking ‡ Walks & trails Ringstead Grange Trout Fishery Existing Footpaths

‡ The Nene Way ‡ Northamptonshire Greenway ‡ Public Footpaths

Woodford Riverside Marina ‡ Private marina for residential and Connections to the River QRQUHVLGHQWLDOFUDIWXSWRIW ‡ Improve access to adjoining public rights of way along the river corridor. ‡ Fuel/Electricity ‡ Water points ‡ Pump out/Elsan ‡ Boatyard/slipway

River Nene Waterspace Study 70 Great Addington to Denford Lock

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Woodford Old Railway Bridge 3.6m Connections to the River ‡ ($+RXUYLVLWRUPRRULQJ ‡ Improve access to adjoining public rights of way along the river corridor. ‡ Woodford Church - St. Mary the Virgin ‡ Toilets/Pump out Waterspace Activity ‘the Cathedral of the Nene’ ‡ Woodford Mooring - FOTRN ‡ Improve existing public bankside moorings - currently the river bank suffers from ‡ :RRGIRUG+RXVHDQHDUO\WKFHQWXU\ ‡ Pub - Dukes Head HURVLRQDQGLVLQSRRUFRQGLWLRQPDNLQJODQGLQJGLI¿FXOW mansion ‡ Fish & chip shop ‡ Develop canoe access point to access village. ‡ Farm shop/Store Information Existing Footpaths ‡ Develop river signage strategy to link the Nene Way & Northamptonshire Greenway. ‡ The Nene Way ‡ Northamptonshire Greenway ‡ Public Footpaths

Woodford Lock Lock Bridge Headroom 2.65m Connections to the River Old Railway Bridge 2.6m ‡ Bridleway from Woodford Lock to Thrapston requires improvement as part of Existing Footpaths Greenway Forward Plan.

‡ The Nene Way ‡ Improve access to adjoining public rights of way along the river corridor. ‡ Northamptonshire Greenway Waterspace Activity ‡ Public Footpaths ‡ Improve canoe portage ‡ Develop canoe access and improve signage to backwater leading around Woodford Lock. Information

‡ Develop river signage strategy to link the Nene Way & Northamptonshire Greenway.

‡ Change the thrust of the EA’s lock signage messages to provide a positive impression of the waterway environment, introduce access routes, wildlife and heritage information.

71 River Nene Waterspace Study Great Addington to Denford Lock

:LOO\:DWW0DULQD/RZHU5LQJVWHDG/RFN 5HWKLQNFDQRHSRUWDJHDWURDGFURVVLQJ([WUHPHO\GLI¿FXOW :RRGIRUG0LOO7HD5RRPVLQYHVWLJDWHGHYHORSLQJYLVLWRU WXUQZLWKFDQRHSOXVWKHJDWHLVWRRQDUURZ PRRULQJVDQGFDQRHDFFHVVWRWHDURRPJDUGHQ

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Denford ‡ Private moorings along backwater Waterspace Activity ‡ Pub - The Cock Inn ‡ Develop canoe access and improve signage to backwater leading to Denford. ‡ Denford Church - Holy Trinity Existing Footpaths ‡ Investigate extending canoe access along backwater towards Thrapston. ‡ The Nene Way ‡ Public Footpaths

Denford Lock ‡ Lock Bridge Headroom 2.65m Waterspace Activity ‡ Farm Bridge 2.6m ‡ Potential visitor mooring location along lock channel with access to the public Existing Footpaths footpath on the left bank. Information ‡ The Nene Way ‡ Develop river signage strategy to link the Nene Way & Northamptonshire ‡ Northamptonshire Greenway Greenway. ‡ Public Footpaths ‡ Change the thrust of the EA’s lock signage messages to provide a positive impression of the waterway environment, introduce access routes, wildlife and heritage information.

River Nene Waterspace Study 72 Great Addington to Denford Lock

St. Mary the Virgin, Woodford known as ‘the Cathedral of the ,QYHVWLJDWHSRWHQWLDORIUXQQLQJULYHUWULSVIURP:RRGIRUG0LOOWR +RO\7ULQLW\'HQIRUGSURYLGHVDQH[DPSOHRIWKHFKXUFKVSLUH 1HQH¶LPSURYHULYHUEDQNHGJHWRPHDGRZPRRULQJV WKUDSVWRQZLWKVWRSVDW:RRGIRUG DFWLQJDVDEHDFRQIRUQDYLJDWLRQDQGVLJQDOOLQJWKHSUHVHQFHRI WKHYLOODJHVDORQJWKHFRUULGRU

3ULYDWHPRRULQJVDW:RRGIRUG ,QYHVWLJDWHYLVLWRUPRRULQJVDW'HQIRUGZLWKLQORFNDSSURDFK ,PSURYHJDWHZD\DQGDFFHVVIURP0HDGRZ/DQHWR'HQIRUG/RFN FKDQQHODFFHVVWRSXEOLFIRRWSDWKWRWKHULJKWRIWKHSKRWRJUDSK WKH1HQH:D\DQGSRWHQWLDOYLVLWRUPRRULQJV

73 River Nene Waterspace Study Thrapston to Titchmarsh Nature Reserve

Middle Nene Sailing Club

Islip Lock

Legend

Existing Visitor Mooring

Existing Water Point

Existing FORTN Mooring

Proposed Visitor Mooring

Adequate Lock Portage

Poor/No Lock Portage

Detailed Waterspace Study Required

‘Crown Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. (QYLURQPHQW$JHQF\¶

River Nene Waterspace Study 74 Thrapston to Titchmarsh Nature Reserve

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Thrapston ‡ A14 Road Bridge Thrapston/Islip Riverside - River Gateway Location ‡ Disused Railway Viaduct Detailed waterspace study required to take account of the potential riverside ‡ Thrapston Church - St. James ‡ Pipe Bridge 3.0m opportunities. ‡ Thrapston Medieval arched bridge ‡ 7KUDSVWRQ5RDG%ULGJHP ‡ Waterway hub development ‡ Pub - Bridge Hotel ‡ New footbridge proposal - King’s Arms ‡ 0DULQDGHYHORSPHQWSURSRVDOZLWKLQRIÀLQHODNHV - The Courthouse Inn ‡ Potential moorings within triangular area upstream of Thrapston Road Bridge. ‡ Shops Connections to the River ‡ Library ‡ Encourage Thrapston to embrace the opportunity of its riverside setting, improve Existing Footpaths links to the town centre, facilities and information. ‡ Public Footpaths ‡ Develop greenway/cycleway proposals to the north of Thrapston towards ‡ Footpath on Dismantled Railway Oundle. Currently the Greenway proposals from Thrapston through to Peterbor- ough are shown in the East Northants Greenway Forward Plan.

‡ Develop more circular walking routes from Thrapston to Wellingborough creating links between the Nene Way, river and Greenway, encourage days out and short breaks in conjunction with bike and canoe hire.

‡ Improve access to adjoining public rights of way along the river corridor. Waterspace Activity

‡ Investigate legality of long term moorings under A14 bridge. Information

‡ Develop river signage strategy to link Thrapston to the river and the Nene Way.

75 River Nene Waterspace Study Thrapston to Titchmarsh Nature Reserve

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Islip ‡ ($+RXU3XEOLF0RRULQJ Connections to the River ‡ Water point ‡ Improve access to adjoining public rights of way along the river corridor. ‡ Islip Church - St Nicholas ‡ Picnic benches ‡ Investigate potential for a ‘Boris Bike’ terminal with connections to the wider The church dates from the 11th Century. ‡ Islip Dave Mooring - FOTRN Northampton Cycleway Network and Nene Valley Greenway Cycle Route. There are connections with America with the ‡ Pub - Woolpack Waterspace Activity Washington family and John Nicholl whose - Rose & Crown ‡ Improve access to mooring and facilities, long term plan to extend mooring. GHVFHQGHQWZDVWKH¿UVW0D\RURI1HZ

‡ The Nene Way ‡ Develop River Nene Info Centre and waterway hub building with café and cycle ‡ Public Footpaths hire facilities.

Islip Lock ‡ Footbridge 2.4m Waterspace Activity

‡ ($+RXU9LVLWRUPRRULQJ ‡ Improve signage to downstream canoe portage. ‡ Islip Mill Thrapston Lagoon Information

‡ Middle Nene Sailing Club ‡ Change the thrust of the EA’s lock signage messages to provide a positive ‡ Footbridge 2.3m impression of the waterway environment, introduce access routes, wildlife and ‡ Titchmarsh Nature Reserve heritage information. Existing Public Rights of Way

‡ The Nene Way ‡ Public Footpaths ‡ Footpath on old Dismantled Railway

River Nene Waterspace Study 76 Thrapston to Titchmarsh Nature Reserve

,QYHVWLJDWHSRWHQWLDORIGHYHORSLQJYLVLWRUPRRULQJVRQWKHULJKW EDQNXSVWUHDPRI6HYHQ$UFKHV%ULGJH7KUDSVWRQ

Riverside Elevation

6NHWFKVFKHPHSURSRVDOVIRU5LYHU1HQH,QIRUPDWLRQ+XEWRLQFOXGHDFDIéDQGF\FOHKLUHIDFLOLW\

([LVWLQJYLVLWRUPRRULQJVDUHSRSXODUEXWLQVXI¿FLHQW0RRULQJ ,VOLS/RFNDSSURDFKZLWK,VOLS0LOOLQWKHEDFNJURXQG (QYLURQPHQW$JHQF\+RXUYLVLWRUPRRULQJVDGMDFHQWWRWKH ORFDWLRQLVGLI¿FXOWWRDFFHVVGXHWRWLJKWWXUQXSVWUHDPRI6HYHQ 0LGGOH1HQH6DLOLQJ&OXE $UFKHV%ULGJH2SSRUWXQLW\WRFUHDWHDGHGLFDWHGFDQRHDFFHVV SRLQW

77 River Nene Waterspace Study Titchmarsh Lock to Achurch

Lilford Lock

Wadenhoe Lock

Legend

Existing Permanent Mooring

Existing Visitor Mooring

Existing Water Point

Existing FORTN Mooring

Proposed Visitor Mooring

Proposed Canoe Access

Develop Backwater Canoe Route

Titchmarsh Lock Poor/No Lock Portage Middle Nene C.C. ‘Crown Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. (QYLURQPHQW$JHQF\¶

River Nene Waterspace Study 78 Titchmarsh Lock to Achurch

0LGGOH1HQH&UXLVLQJ&OXEPRRULQJEDVLQDW7LWFKPDUVK0LOO

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Titchmarsh Lock ‡ ($+RXU9LVLWRUPRRULQJV Titchmarsh Lock - Cluster of Activity Location ‡ Farm Bridge 3.0m Connections to the River ‡ Titchmarsh Mill Develop small car park at Farm Bridge providing access to the river, Brancey ‡ /RFN%ULGJH+HDGURRPP ‡ Brook and Titchmarsh Nature Reserve. ‡ ($+RXUV3XEOLF0RRULQJ ‡ Improve access to adjoining public rights of way along the river corridor. Middle Nene Cruising Club HQ Waterspace Activity ‡ Private Permanent Moorings and ‡ Reopen lock operation mooring, currently boats have to use the visitor mooring. RIÀLQHPDULQD ‡ Install new canoe platforms and improve portage route both up and downstream Titchmarsh Nature Reserve of the lock. ‡ Parking ‡ Develop canoe access and improve signage to the Brancey Brook and Harpers Brook backwaters, which bypass Titchmarsh Lock. Develop canoe access point ‡ Road Bridge 2.6m for Aldwincle from the backwaters. Existing Footpaths ‡ Manage vegetation at access points to the backwaters. ‡ Public Footpaths Information ‡ Dismantled Railway (Potential) ‡ Change the thrust of the EA’s lock signage messages to provide a positive impression, introduce access routes, wildlife and heritage information.

79 River Nene Waterspace Study Titchmarsh Lock to Achurch

$SRUWDJHURXWHDURXQG7LWFKPDUVK/RFNQHHGVWREHQHJRWLDWHG ([LVWLQJ&DQRHKDXORXWSRLQWDOORZVFDQRHLVWWRPLVV 'HYHORSFDQRHWUDLODORQJWKH%UDQFH\DQG+DUSHU¶V%URRNVWR DQGFDQRHSODWIRUPVLQVWDOOHG 7LWFKPDUVK/RFNE\XWLOLVLQJWKH%UDQFH\DQG+DUSHU¶V%URRNV $OGZLQFOHWKH1HQH:D\DQG&DU3DUN

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Titchmarsh ‡ Pub - The Wheatsheaf Connections to the River ‡ Shops ‡ Improve access to adjoining public rights of way along the river corridor. ‡ Titchmarsh Church - St. Mary the Virgin Existing Footpaths 5HIHUUHGWRDVRQHRI(QJODQG¶V¿QHVWSDULVK ‡ Public Footpaths church towers.

%URRNVLGH)DUPKRXVHHQODUJHGLQWKH WK&HQWXU\ ‡ 3LFNHULQJ$OPVKRXVHV ‡ Childhood home of the poet/playwright John Dryden.

Thorpe Waterville ‡ Pub - The Fox Inn Connections to the River ‡ Thorpe Waterville Bridge 2.6m ‡ Develop greenway/cycleway proposals on the line of the dismantled railway. Currently the Greenway proposals from Thrapston through to Peterborough are Existing Footpaths shown in the East Northants Greenway Forward Plan. ‡ Public Footpaths Waterspace Activity ‡ Dismantled Railway (Potential) ‡ Develop visitor moorings to provide river access to the village.

River Nene Waterspace Study 80 Titchmarsh Lock to Achurch

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Aldwincle ‡ Pear Tree Farm Mooring - FOTRN Waterspace Activity ‡ 3RVW2I¿FH ‡ Develop visitor moorings to provide river access to the village. ‡ Aldwincle Church - St. Peter’s ‡ Shop ‡ Develop canoe access from Brancey or Harper’s Brook to the village. ‡ All Saints’ Church - Architectural Museum Existing Footpaths ‡ %LUWKSODFHRI&KDUOHV)OHHWZRRG   DQ(QJOLVK3DUOLDPHQWDULDQVROGLHUDQG ‡ The Nene Way politician, Lord Deputy of Ireland, 1652–55. ‡ Public Footpaths ‡ The poet John Dryden was born in rectory in 1631, and was baptised in the church.

Wadenhoe ‡ Visitor Moorings Wadenhoe - Cluster of Activity Location ‡ Water Point Waterspace Activity ‡ Wadenhoe Church - St. Michael & All Angels ‡ Pub - Kings Head ‡ Develop/improve moorings and canoe access below church on the left bank. ‡ Wadenhoe Mill - The Old Barn Tea Room ‡ Develop canoe access point at Wadenhoe Village Hall car park. ‡ Improve canoe signage to indicate the King’s Head pub and canoe access is ‡ Wadenhoe House ‡ 3RVW2I¿FH further downstream than the portage point to the backwater on the left bank ‡ Lyveden New Bild (National Trust property) ‡ Shop which bypasses the village. ‡ Parking Landscape Existing Footpaths ‡ Manage and maintain vegetation in order not to impede river activities, improve ‡ The Nene Way visibility of the river, access, safety and the environment. ‡ The Lyveden Way Information ‡ Public Footpaths ‡ Develop river signage strategy to link the Nene Way and adjoining public rights.

Wadenhoe Lock ‡ /RFN%ULGJH+HDGURRPP Waterspace Activity

‡ Nene Way Footbridge ‡ Improve Canoe Portage Existing Footpaths Information ‡ The Nene Way ‡ Change the thrust of the EA’s lock signage messages to provide a positive im- ‡ Public Footpaths pression, introduce access routes, wildlife and heritage information.

81 River Nene Waterspace Study Titchmarsh Lock to Achurch

6W0LFKDHO $OO$QJHOV:DGHQKRHVHWKLJKDERYHWKHULYHU7KH 2SSRUWXQLW\WRGHYHORSYLVLWRUPRRULQJVZLWKHDV\DFFHVVWRWKH ,PSURYH1HQH:D\SDWKWRFRQQHFWYLVLWRUPRRULQJVWRWKH FKXUFKLVHDVLO\UHFRJQLVDEOHIURPDFURVVWKHYDOOH\ FKXUFK:DGHQKRHYLOODJHDQGWKH1HQH:D\ YLOODJH

'HYHORSFDQRHDFFHVVWROLQNZLWKWKH:DGHQKRH9LOODJH+DOOFDU ([LVWLQJYLVLWRUPRRULQJVIRUWKH.LQJ¶V+HDGSXEOLFKRXVH SDUN

([LVWLQJZDWHUWDSLQWKHJURXQGVRIWKH.LQJ¶V+HDGSXEOLF KRXVH

River Nene Waterspace Study 82 Titchmarsh Lock to Achurch

6PDOOYLOODJHFDUSDUNVZLWKJRRGVFRQQHFWLRQVWRWKH1HQH:D\ Wadenhoe Mill 7KHVSLUHRI6W-RKQWKH%DSWLVWFKXUFK$FKXUFKJXLGHVWKH ULYHUDQGQDWXUHUHVHUYHVDOORZIRUDFFHVVWRWKHZLGHUYDOOH\ WUDYHOOHUDORQJWKH1HQH9DOOH\

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Achurch ‡ Footbridge 2.6m Waterspace Activity Existing Footpaths ‡ Develop visitor moorings to provide river access to the village. ‡ Achurch Church - St. John the Baptist ‡ The Nene Way Information ‡ Public Footpaths ‡ Develop river signage strategy to link the Nene Way and adjoining public rights of way.

Lilford Lock ‡ /RFN%ULGJH+HDGURRPP Waterspace Activity ‡ Lilford Road Bridge 4.0m ‡ Improve canoe portage. Replace upstream platform and create downstream Existing Footpaths access into overgrown backwater. A ramp will need to be created down from ‡ Nene Way the lock platform and a number of fallen trees removed. ‡ Public Footpaths Information ‡ Change the thrust of the EA’s lock signage messages to provide a positive impression, introduce access routes, wildlife and heritage information.

‡ Develop river signage strategy to link the Nene Way and adjoining public rights.

83 River Nene Waterspace Study Lilford Lock to Stoke Doyle

Barnwell Boat Club

Barnwell Marina

Legend

Existing Permanent Mooring

Existing Visitor Mooring Lilford Lock Existing Water Point

Proposed Visitor Mooring

Poor/No Lock Portage ‘Crown Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. (QYLURQPHQW$JHQF\¶

River Nene Waterspace Study 84 Lilford Lock to Stoke Doyle

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Pilton Existing Footpaths Waterspace Activity ‡ Public Footpaths ‡ Investigate visitor moorings for Lilford Hall. ‡ Pilton Church - All Saints ‡ Manor House & Fish Ponds ‡ Lilford Hall - Grade I Listed

Lilford Lodge Farm Marina ‡ Oundle Sailing Club Connections to the River ‡ Marina currently under construction ‡ Improve access to adjoining public rights of way.. Information

‡ Develop river signage strategy to link the Nene Way to adjoining public rights.

Barnwell ‡ Barnwell Boat Club Private Connections to the River Permanent Moorings ‡ Improve access to adjoining public rights of way. ‡ Barnwell Church - St. Andrew’s (Associate of Nene River Clubs) Information - All Saint’s Church ‡ Pub - Montague Arms ‡ Develop river signage strategy to link the Nene Way to adjoining public rights. ‡ Barnwell Manor is the historic former home ‡ Shop - of the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. Existing Footpaths

‡ Barnwell Castle (ruin) - Grade I listed & ‡ Nene Way Scheduled Ancient Monument. A motte and ‡ Public Footpaths bailey castle erected in 1132. The stone ‡ Dismantled Railway (Potential) castle was built during the reign of Henry III, during the English Civil War it was an arsenal for the Royalist cause.

Stoke Doyle ‡ Pub - Shuckburgh Arms Waterspace Activity Existing Footpaths ‡ Develop visitor moorings to provide river access to the village. ‡ Stoke Doyle Church - St. Rumbold ‡ Public Footpaths Information ‡ Manor House, Moat & Fish Ponds ‡ Develop river signage strategy to link the Nene Way to adjoining public rights.

85 River Nene Waterspace Study Upper Barnwell Lock to Oundle

Legend

Existing Permanent Mooring

Existing Visitor Mooring

Existing Water Point

Proposed Visitor Mooring

Proposed Permanent Mooring

Proposed Canoe Access

Develop Backwater Canoe Route

Adequate Lock Portage

Poor/No Lock Portage

Detailed Waterspace Study Required

Oundle Marina Ashton Lock

Oundle Cruising Club

‘Crown Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. Lower Barnwell Lock (QYLURQPHQW$JHQF\¶ Upper Barnwell Lock

River Nene Waterspace Study 86 Upper Barnwell Lock to Oundle

2XQGOH0LOOSUHYLRXVUHVWDXUDQWDQ\IXWXUHGHYHORSPHQWVKRXOG 2XQGOH&UXLVLQJ&OXEEHORZ8SSHU%DUQZHOO/RFNSURYLGHVRQOLQH 2XQGOH0DULQDIXOOVHUYLFHVSURYLGHG'HYHORSPHQWSODQ LQFOXGHYLVLWRUPRRULQJVDQGFDQRHDFFHVV YLVLWRUPRRULQJV JUDQWHGRXWOLQHSODQQLQJSHUPLVVLRQLQ

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Upper Barnwell Lock ‡ Road Bridge 2.4m Waterspace Activity ‡ Visitor moorings for patrons of the ‡ Improve canoe portage at the upsteam lock landing to allow canoes to be lifted ‡ Oundle Mill the Mill at Oundle Restaurant - now out and collected from the lock layby opposite Oundle Mill. Improve access to closed downstream canoe platform.

Barnwell Country Park ‡ Develop canoe access on to the Oundle backwaters around the west of Barnwell ‡ Visitor Centre Country Park. Develop canoe access point for Oundle from the backwaters. ‡ Public toilets Information ‡ Fishing Lake ‡ Change the thrust of the EA’s lock signage messages to provide a positive impression, introduce access routes, wildlife and heritage information. Existing Footpaths Tourism ‡ The Nene Way ‡ Opportunity to promote Barnwell Country Park’s heritage, wildlife and wider river ‡ Public Footpaths valley context.

87 River Nene Waterspace Study Upper Barnwell Lock to Oundle

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Oundle Marina ‡ 'LI¿FXOWHQWUDQFHZKHQDSSURDFKLQJ Connections to the River from upstream ‡ Improve connections between the marina, the Nene Way and the town. ‡ Permanent moorings Waterspace Activity

‡ Visitor moorings ‡ Oundle Marina development plan - outline planning permission granted, 2013. ‡ Electric & water points Marina currently up for sale. ‡ Diesel & gas ‡ Improve access to entrance of the marina when approaching from up stream. ‡ Toilets & showers Tourism ‡ Pump out & elsan ‡ Opportunity to promote Oundle’s heritage, wildlife and wider river valley ‡ Laundry & Refuse recycling context. ‡ Chandlery, Brokerage & shop ‡ Crane, boatyard & slipway ‡ Car Park ‡ Oundle Cruising Club (Associate of Nene River Clubs) Existing Footpaths

‡ The Nene Way ‡ Public Footpaths

Lower Barnwell Lock Existing Footpaths Connections to the River ‡ The Nene Way ‡ Improve connections from the Nene Way to the town. ‡ Public Footpaths Waterspace Activity

‡ Install canoe portage both up and downstream. Information

‡ Change the thrust of the EA’s lock signage messages to provide a positive impression, introduce access routes, wildlife and heritage information.

River Nene Waterspace Study 88 Upper Barnwell Lock to Oundle

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Polebrook Pub - The King’s Arms Polebrook Waterspace Activity 3ROHEURRN$LU¿HOG1DWXUH5HVHUYH ‡ Develop visitor moorings to provide river access to the village. ‡ Polebrook Church - All Saints, 12th century Existing Footpaths Information ‡ Polebrook Hall ‡ Public Footpaths ‡ Develop river signage strategy to link with adjoining public rights of way. ‡ 5$)3ROHEURRN6HFRQG:RUOG:DUDLU¿HOG IURPDQGKRPHWRWKH86$$)VW Bomber Group. For some time during the war Clark Gable was stationed at Polebrook, he made morale-boosting visits locally during his time at the base.

Ashton Lock ‡ /RFN%ULGJH+HDGURRPP Waterspace Activity ‡ 8QRI¿FLFDOSHUPDQHQWPRRULQJV ‡ Develop visitor moorings and canoe access along backwater to provide river upstream of the lock access to the village.

Existing Footpaths ‡ Investigate developing canoe portage at Ashton Tilting Weir rather than lock. ‡ The Nene Way Information ‡ Public Footpaths ‡ Change the thrust of the EA’s lock signage messages to provide a positive impression, introduce access routes, wildlife and heritage information.

Ashton ‡ Footbridge 2.5m Connections to the River ‡ Pub - The Chequered Skipper ‡ Improve connections to the Nene Way and village. ‡ Ashton Mill Existing Footpaths ‡ Investigate small car park close to Ashton Mill, providing access to the river. ‡ Nene Way Landscape ‡ Public Footpaths ‡ Manage and maintain vegetation in order not to impede river activities, improve visibility of the river, access, safety and the environment. Information

‡ Develop river signage strategy to link moorings with public rights of way.

89 River Nene Waterspace Study Upper Barnwell Lock to Oundle

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Oundle ‡ Oundle North Bridge 3.0m Oundle - River Gateway Location ‡ Oundle Wharf Detailed waterspace study required to take account of Oundle’s waterway ‡ Oundle Church - St. Peter’s ‡ Canoe Hire opportunities and proposed marina development. The spire is 210 foot and is the tallest in ‡ Oundle School Rowing Club ‡ Oundle to act as major ‘Gateway’ for promoting access, heritage, wildlife Northamptonshire. and wider river valley context. ‡ 8QRI¿FLDOPRRULQJORFDWLRQDORQJ ‡ Oundle School, founded in 1556 left bank upstream of North Bridge ‡ Oundle becomes an active hub to draw people to the river corridor and ‡ Talbot Hotel, constructed of the stone from an accessible place for boaters to stop. ‡ Oundle School Rowing Club Fotheringhay Castle. ‡ Investigate opportunities to enhance access Oundle Wharf for public use ‡ 3XEV5RVH &URZQ,QQWK and waterway hub. Century ‡ Ensure development proposals relate to and improve the river corridor. - The Ship Inn 14th Century Connections to the River - The Angel ‡ Encourage Thrapston to embrace the opportunity of its riverside setting, - The George Inn improve links to the town centre, facilities and information. ‡ Tap & Kitchen Restaurant Waterspace Activity ‡ The Riverside (Empty Property) ‡ Currently Oundle suffers from lack of visitor moorings, investigate ‡ Shops - All services developing visitor mooring in the channel leading to Oundle Wharf, ‡ Museum - DFFHVVWKURXJKÀRRGDUFKHVWRWKH7DS .LWFKHQUHVWDXUDQW7KLVZRXOG ‡ Library - build on recent development to create a public waterfront for the town. Existing Footpaths ‡ Formalise existing visitor mooring provision on left bank upstream of the

‡ The Nene Way North Bridge with improved access to the town’s facilities. ‡ Public Footpaths ‡ Investigate developing visitor moorings and canoe access on left bank where the Nene Way footbridge crosses the river to Ashton, to the east of Oundle. This location would provide access to the facilities in both Oundle and Ashton. Information

‡ Develop River Nene Info Centre and waterway hub building as part of the Oundle Wharf development.

River Nene Waterspace Study 90 Upper Barnwell Lock to Oundle

2SSRUWXQLW\WRGHYHORSSHUPDQHQWPRRULQJVDORQJ$VKWRQ 'HYHORSYLVLWRUPRRULQJVDWIRRWEULGJHZKLFKFRQQHFWV2XQGOHWR ,QYHVWLJDWHRSSRUWXQLW\WRGHYHORS7KH5LYHUVLGH,QQFXUUHQWO\ %DFNZDWHU Ashton and the Nene Way. ERDUGHGXSDVRQHRI2XQGOH¶VKLVWRULFZDWHUZD\GHVWLQDWLRQV

,QYHVWLJDWHGHYHORSLQJYLVLWRUPRRULQJVDORQJFKDQQHOOHDGLQJWR 2XQGOH:KDUILVFXUUHQWO\WKHORFDWLRQRIDFDQRHKLUHEDVH 7KHUHFHQW7DSDQG.LWFKHQSXEUHVWDXUDQWSURYLGHVDQH[FHOOHQW 2XQGOH:KDUIDFFHVVWRWKH7DS .LWFKHQDQG2XQGOHZRXOGEH EHQHDWK2XQGOH¶V1RUWK%ULGJH ZDWHUVLGHORFDWLRQZKLFKQHHGVWRDWWUDFWYLVLWRUFUDIWWR2XQGOH WKURXJKWKHÀRRGDUFKHV Wharf.

91 River Nene Waterspace Study Cotterstock Lock to Warmington Lock

Fotheringhay

Warmington Lock

Perio Lock

Legend

Existing Permanent Mooring

Existing Visitor Mooring Elton Boat Club Existing Water Point

Proposed Visitor Mooring

Proposed Canoe Access

Develop Backwater Canoe Route

Adequate Lock Portage

Detailed Waterspace Study Required

Cotterstock Lock ‘Crown Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. (QYLURQPHQW$JHQF\¶

River Nene Waterspace Study 92 Cotterstock Lock to Warmington Lock

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Cotterstock Lock ‡ Lock Bridge Headroom 2.65m Waterspace Activity ‡ Good canoe portage off the Mill ‡ Upstream Canoe Portage is an example of a good low cost robust solution. ‡ Cotterstock Mill stream ‡ Improve canoe signage as ‘Emergency Portage’ is misunderstood by canoeists. ‡ Manage and maintain vegetation in order not to impede river activities, improve visibility of the river, access, safety and the environment. Information

‡ Change the thrust of the EA’s lock signage messages to provide a positive impression, introduce access routes, wildlife and heritage information.

Cotterstock ‡ &RWWHUVWRFN%ULGJH+HDGURRPP Connections to the River ‡ Oundle School rowing club races ‡ Improve access to adjoining public rights of way along the river corridor. ‡ Cotterstock Church - St. Andrew’s, dates from held in this length Waterspace Activity the 12th, 13th and 14th centuries. Existing Footpaths ‡ Develop visitor mooring and canoe access to provide access to the village. ‡ ,QWKHVXPPHURI$5RPDQR%ULWLVKYLOOD ‡ National Cycle Route 53 Information was discovered with a large mosaic pavement. ‡ Public Footpaths ‡ Develop river signage strategy to link with existing public rights of way. ‡ &RWWHUVWRFN+DOOZDVEXLOWLQZLWK DOWHUDWLRQVLQWKHHDUO\WKFHQWXU\

‡ %LUWKSODFHRI-RKQ*UDYHV6LPFRHLQ WKH¿UVW/LHXWHQDQW*RYHUQRURI8SSHU&DQDGD IURP±DQGIRXQGHURI7RURQWR

93 River Nene Waterspace Study Cotterstock Lock to Warmington Lock

6LPSOHDGHTXDWHFDQRHKDXORXWGHWDLODERYH&RWWHUVWRFN/RFN 3RSXODUVHFWLRQRIWKHULYHUIRUFDQRHLQJ 6W$QGUHZ¶VFKXUFK&RWWHUVWRFN9LVLWRUPRRULQJVVKRXOGEH GHYHORSHGIRUERWK&RWWHUVWRFNDQG7DQVRU

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Tansor ‡ Oundle School Rowing Club Connections to the River Landing Stage. ‡ Improve access to adjoining public rights of way along the river corridor. ‡ Tansor Church - St. Mary the Virgin Existing Footpaths Waterspace Activity

‡ Birthplace of Horace William Wheelwright, ‡ Public Footpaths ‡ Develop visitor mooring and canoe access to provide access to the village. DQ(QJOLVKKXQWHUQDWXUDOLVWDQGZULWHU ‡ Dismantled Railway (Potential) Information who spent many years of his life in Australia ‡ Develop river signage strategy to link with existing public rights of way. and Sweden. Wheelwright migrated to Aus- WUDOLDDWWKHWLPHRIWKH*ROGUXVKDQG became a professional game hunter.

Perio Lock ‡ /RFN%ULGJH+HDGURRPP Waterspace Activity ‡ Investigate canoe access and improve signage to backwater leading around ‡ Bluebell Fishing Lakes ‡ Perio Mill Perio Lock. ‡ World Conker Championships - Information located at Southwick close by. ‡ Change the thrust of the EA’s lock signage messages to provide a positive impression, introduce access routes, wildlife and heritage information.

River Nene Waterspace Study 94 Cotterstock Lock to Warmington Lock

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Fotheringhay ‡ Fotheringhay Bridge 2.1m Fotheringhay - Cluster of Activity Location ‡ Visitor moorings upstream of the Study required to take account of the potential heritage and riverside opportunities. ‡ Fotheringhay Church - St. Mary & All Saints bridge & on the castle site. ‡ Waterway hub development - Castle with moorings, potential to develop The church is noted for containing a ‡ Water Point caravan/camp site with coffee shop and facilities. mausoleum to leading members of the ‡ Pub - The Falcon Connections to the River Yorkist dynasty of the Wars of the Roses. These include: ‡ Campsite (B&B) ‡ Improve access to adjoining public rights of way along the river corridor. ‡ Edward of Norwich, 2nd Duke of York, Existing Footpaths ‡ Investigate car parking requirement, providing access castle and river corridor. killed at the Battle of Agincourt, 1415. ‡ Nene Way Waterspace Activity ‡ Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York ‡ Public Footpaths ‡ 'HYHORSRI¿FLDOFDQRHDFFHVVSRLQW and his younger brother Edmund, ‡ Dismantled Railway (Potential) Tourism Earl of Rutland, killed at the Battle of ‡ Promote Fothinghay’s heritage, wildlife and wider river valley context. :DNH¿HOGLQ ‡ &HFLO\1HYLOOH'XFKHVVRI

‡ King Richard III was born here in 1452. ‡ )RWKHULQJKD\ZDVWKH¿QDOSODFHRI imprisonment of Mary, Queen of Scots, who was tried and executed in the FDVWOHLQ ‡ In the 1630s the castle was dismantled and most of the masonry removed, leaving only the earthworks. The castle site is a Scheduled Monument and is open to the public.

95 River Nene Waterspace Study Cotterstock Lock to Warmington Lock

:DWHUSRLQWDW)RWKHULQJKD\%ULGJHVKRXOGEHPRYHGFORVHWRWKH 6W0DU\ $OO6DLQWV)RWKHULQJKD\ )RWKHULQJKD\&DVWOHPRRULQJVQHHGWRGHYHORSRI¿FLDOFDQRH PRULQJORFDWLRQIRUHDVHRIXVH DFFHVVSRLQW

5LFKDUG,,,DQG0DU\4XHHQRI6FRWV0HPRULDO6WRQH )RWKHULQJKD\FDPSVLWH Fotheringhay Castle.

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River Nene Waterspace Study 96 Cotterstock Lock to Warmington Lock

([WUDFWVIURPWKH:DUPLQJWRQ0XUDOGHSLFWLQJWKHOLIHDQGKHULWDJHRIWKH5LYHU1HQH/RFDWLRQ$XQGHUSDVV

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Warmington Lock ‡ Lock Bridge Headroom 2.45m Waterspace Activity ‡ Footbridge 2.6m ‡ Develop visitor moorings downstream of lock. ‡ Warmington Mill (Eaglethorpe) ‡ Public Moorings ‡ Install canoe portages, both up and downstream. ‡ Elton Boat Club HQ ‡ Investigate canoe access and improve signage to backwater leading around to (Associate of Nene River Clubs) Warmington Mill and around Warmington Lock. ‡ Slipway ‡ Investigate canoe access point for Elton Boat Club Existing Footpaths Information ‡ The Nene Way ‡ Change the thrust of the EA’s lock signage messages to provide a positive ‡ Public Footpaths impression, introduce access routes, wildlife and heritage information. ‡ Dismantled Railway (Potential)

Warmington ‡ Pub - Red Lion Information ‡ Shop ‡ Develop river signage strategy to link visitor moorings to the village. ‡ Warmington Church - St. Mary the Blessed Existing Footpaths Virgin The Nene Way ‡ Manor House ‡ ‡ Moat ‡ Public Footpaths

97 River Nene Waterspace Study Elton Lock to Nassington

Legend

Existing Permanent Mooring

Existing Visitor Mooring

Existing Water Point

Proposed Visitor Mooring

Proposed Canoe Access

Develop Backwater Canoe Route

Poor/No Lock Portage

Elton Lock

‘Crown Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. (QYLURQPHQW$JHQF\¶

River Nene Waterspace Study 98 Elton Lock to Nassington

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Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Elton Lock ‡ /RFN%ULGJH+HDGURRPP Waterspace Activity ‡ Public Moorings ‡ Improve existing visitor moorings and create canoe access point. ‡ Elton Mill Existing Footpaths ‡ Install canoe portages, both up and downstream. ‡ Public Footpaths ‡ Investigate canoe access and improve signage to backwater leading around ‡ Dismantled Railway (Potential) Elton Lock. Information

‡ Change the thrust of the EA’s lock signage messages to provide a positive impression, introduce access routes, wildlife and heritage information.

Elton ‡ Elton Road Bridge 3.3m Information ‡ )RRWEULGJHP ‡ Develop river signage strategy to link visitor moorings to the village. ‡ Elton Church - All Saints ‡ Pub - Crown Inn ‡ Improve access to adjoining public rights of way along the river corridor. ‡ Elton Mill - Black Horse Inn ‡ Tourism ‡ Elton Hall & Gardens ‡ Shops ‡ Develop Elton Mill as river Info Centre with café and cycle hire facilities. Existing Footpaths ‡ Promote Elton’s heritage, wildlife and wider river valley context. ‡ Public Footpaths

99 River Nene Waterspace Study Nassington to Yarwell Lock

Yarwell Mill Marina

Yarwell Lock

Elton Lock to Nassington

Legend

Existing Permanent Mooring

Existing Visitor Mooring

Existing Water Point

Proposed Visitor Mooring

Proposed Canoe Access

Develop Backwater Canoe Route

‘Crown Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. Poor/No Lock Portage (QYLURQPHQW$JHQF\¶

River Nene Waterspace Study 100 Nassington to Yarwell Lock

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Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Nassington ‡ Wilgar Bridge Headroom 2.6m Waterspace Activity ‡ Public Mooring at Queen’s Head ‡ Regenerate village wharf by creating a navigable backwater and develop visitor ‡ Nassington Church - St. Mary the Virgin & All ‡ Slipway moorings and canoe access to Queen’s Head car park. Saints Pub - Queen’s Head Information ‡ Anglo-Saxon village, the hall was visited by ‡ WKHFRXUWRIWKH9LNLQJ.LQJ&QXWDIWHU - Black Horse ‡ Develop river signage strategy to link visitor moorings to the village. ,Q+HQU\,JDYHWKHKDOODQGODQGWRWKH Bishop of Lincoln as a prebend to provide an ‡ Shops ‡ Improve access to the Nene Way and adjoining public rights of way along the income to the clergy. river corridor. Existing Footpaths ‡ Prebendal Manor House, Tithe Barn Museum, Tourism and gardens. The gardens only contain plants ‡ Nene Way ‡ Promote Nassington’s heritage, wildlife and wider river valley context. LQWURGXFHGSULRUWR ‡ Public Footpaths ‡ Dismantled Railway (Potential)

101 River Nene Waterspace Study Nassington to Yarwell Lock

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Yarwell Lock ‡ Lock Bridge Headroom 2.4m Connections to the River ‡ Private moorings ‡ Develop connections between river, canoe route and the Nene Valley Railway. ‡ Yarwell Mill ‡ Visitor moorings Waterspace Activity ‡ Nene Valley Railway ‡ Water Point ‡ Install canoe portages both up and downstream. ‡ Caravan & Camping Park ‡ Develop additional visitor moorings at Yarwell Mill ‡ Fishing Lake ‡ Develop canoe access and improve signage to Nassington backwaters, which ‡ Picnic Area bypass Yarwell Lock. Manage and maintain vegetation in order not to impede river activities, improve visibility of the river, access, safety and the environment. Existing Footpaths Information ‡ The Nene Way ‡ Develop Yarwell Mill as River Info Centre with café and cycle hire facilities. ‡ Public Footpaths ‡ Develop River Nene Mobile Boating App. - Purchase Boat Licence, review ‡ Dismantled Railway (Potential) maps, mooring space, water points, fuel and pump outs etc.

‡ Change the thrust of the EA’s lock signage messages to provide a positive impression, introduce access routes, wildlife and heritage information.

Yarwell ‡ Pub - The Angle Inn Information ‡ Shops ‡ Develop river signage strategy to link visitor moorings at the mill to the village. ‡ Yarwell Church - St. Mary Magdalene Existing Footpaths ‡ Improve access to the Nene Way and adjoining public rights of way along the ‡ The Nene Way river corridor. ‡ Public Footpaths Tourism ‡ Promote Yarwell’s heritage, wildlife and wider river valley context.

River Nene Waterspace Study 102 Nassington to Yarwell Lock

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$WFDUDYDQVLWHVZKLFKEDFNRQWRWKHULYHUFRQVLGHUXVLQJHDUWK 7KH$QJHO

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103 River Nene Waterspace Study Wansford Lock to Sibson

Legend

Existing Permanent Mooring

Existing Visitor Mooring

Existing Water Point

Proposed Visitor Mooring

Proposed Canoe Access

Potential Trip Boat

Adequate Lock Portage

Poor/No Lock Portage

Wansford Lock

‘Crown Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. (QYLURQPHQW$JHQF\¶

River Nene Waterspace Study 104 Wansford Lock to Sibson

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Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Wansford Lock ‡ /RFN%ULGJH+HDGURRPP Waterspace Activity ‡ ($+RXU0RRULQJV ‡ Install canoe portages both up and downstream. Investigate use of backwater ‡ Boatyard - AF Peak for canoe portage. ‡ Ship End Pits - waterside ‡ Investigate developing visitor moorings along backwater with public access to development Yarwell and Wansford via the Nene Way. Existing Footpaths Information

‡ The Nene Way ‡ Develop river signage strategy to link visitor moorings at the mill to the village. ‡ Public Footpaths ‡ Improve access to the Nene Way and adjoining public rights of way along the river corridor.

‡ Change the thrust of the EA’s lock signage messages to provide a positive impression, introduce access routes, wildlife and heritage information.

105 River Nene Waterspace Study Wansford Lock to Sibson

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Wansford ‡ Wansford Bridge (Arched) Wansford - Cluster of Activity Location ‡ ($+RXU0RRULQJV Waterspace Activity ‡ Church - St Mary the Virgin ‡ A1 Road Bridge ‡ Develop visitor moorings and canoe access on the north bank downstream of the ‡ Wansford Bridge A1 bridge below the truck stop facility. Regenerate existing toilets and facilities. ‡ Pub - Haycock Hotel ‡ Improve existing visitor moorings with better links to the Haycock Inn, village - Paper Mills centre and Nene Way. - Cross Keys ‡ Develop heritage water taxi/trip boat service from Wansford, Water Newton, ‡ Shops Alwalton, Caistor and Ferry Meadows, Peterborough and Flag Fen, combine with ‡ Sacrewell Farm & Country Centre the Nene Valley Railway and long distant footpaths. ‡ Caravan & Camping Site ‡ Develop canoe access and improve signage to access point beneath Wansford Bridge. ‡ Toilets Information ‡ Picnic Area ‡ Develop river signage strategy to link proposed visitor moorings on the north ‡ Parking bank to the village. Existing Footpaths ‡ Improve access to the Nene Way and adjoining public rights of way along the ‡ The Nene Way river corridor. ‡ Public Footpaths Tourism ‡ Promote Wansford’s heritage, wildlife and wider river valley context. ‡ Improve links with the Nene Valley Railway with park & ride service to Wansford Station.

Stibbington ‡ Boatyard - PM Buckle Tourism Existing Footpaths ‡ Promote Stibbington’s heritage, wildlife and wider river valley context. ‡ Stibbington Church - John the Baptist ‡ The Nene Way ‡ Improve links with the Nene Valley Railway and public rights of way. ‡ Stibbington House - Previous residence of ‡ Public Footpaths Sir Stephen Hastings ‡ Stibbington Hall ‡ Stibbington Manor Farm

River Nene Waterspace Study 106 Wansford Lock to Sibson

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Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Sutton Existing Footpaths Waterspace Activity

‡ The Nene Way ‡ Investigate developing visitor moorings and canoe access with access to the ‡ Sutton Church - St. Michael & All Angels ‡ Public Footpaths Nene Valley and village. ‡ The Grange ‡ Dismantled Railway (Potential) ‡ Improve existing visitor moorings with better links to the Haycock Inn, village ‡ Manor Farm centre and Nene Way.

Sibson ‡ Wansford Station Waterspace Activity Rail Bridge Headroom 3.3m ‡ ‡ Canoe access point at existing station mooring. ‡ Nene Valley Railway ‡ ($+RXU0RRULQJV Information ‡ Sibson Manor House, 1625 ‡ 8QRI¿FLDO0RRULQJVXSVWUHDPRI ‡ Develop river signage strategy to link visitor moorings with the existing public railway bridge rights of way. ‡ Occasional trip boat mooring Tourism ‡ Pub - The Sibson Inn ‡ Develop links with the Nene Valley Railway, Nene Way and river. Existing Footpaths ‡ The Nene Way ‡ Public Footpaths

107 River Nene Waterspace Study Water Newton Lock to Alwalton Lock

Water Newton Lock

Legend Peterborough C.C. Alwalton Lock Existing Permanent Mooring Potential Trip Boat

Existing Visitor Mooring Develop Backwater Canoe Route

Proposed Visitor Mooring Existing Canoe Access ‘Crown Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. Proposed Canoe Access Poor/No Lock Portage Detailed Waterspace Study Required (QYLURQPHQW$JHQF\¶

River Nene Waterspace Study 108 Water Newton Lock to Alwalton Lock

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Water Newton Lock ‡ /RFN%ULGJH+HDGURRPP Water Newton, Ailsworth, Castor and Alwalton.

‡ Parking Detailed waterspace study required to take account of the extensive heritage and ‡ Water Newton Church - St. Remigius riverside opportunities of the area. ‡ Picnic Area ‡ Water Newton Mill ‡ Heritage waterway hub development. Tumulus Existing Footpaths ‡ Connections to the River

‡ Water Newton Treasure - The hoard was ‡ The Nene Way ‡ Improve access to adjoining public rights of way along the river corridor. discovered during ploughing in February ‡ The Hereward Way ‡ Improve surfacing and detailing to riverside footpath. DQGFRQVLVWHGRIVLOYHULWHPV ‡ Investigate car parking requirement, providing access to river corridor. and one small gold plaque. Due to the ‡ Public Footpaths inscriptions found on some of the pieces it Waterspace Activity has been suggested they may have been ‡ Improve Canoe Portage at Water Newton Lock. used in a local church, and they therefore ‡ Develop visitor moorings and canoe access point at Water Newton. comprise the earliest probable group of ‡ Investigate canoe access and improve signage to backwater around lock. Christian liturgical silver yet found in the ‡ Develop heritage water taxi/trip boat service from Wansford, Water Newton, Roman Empire. Due to the importance of Alwalton, Caistor and Ferry Meadows, Peterborough and Flag Fen, combine with WKH¿QGLWLVQRZLQWKH%ULWLVK0XVHXPZLWK the Nene Valley Railway and long distant footpaths. replicas at Peterborough Museum Information ‡ 'XUREULYDH5RPDQIRUWL¿HGJDUULVRQWRZQ ‡ Develop river signage strategy to link the Nene Way, Hereward Way & where Ermine Street crossed the River public rights of way. Nene. ‡ Change the thrust of the EA’s lock signage messages to provide a ‡ Normagate Fields - Roman Pottery Kilns - positive impression of the waterway environment, introduce access Nene Valley Colour Coated Ware or Castor routes, wildlife and heritage information. Ware is a type of Romano-British ceramic Tourism produced in the lower Nene Valley centered on Durobrivae from the mid-2nd to 4th ‡ Promote Water Newton’s extensive heritage, wildlife and wider river Centuries AD. valley context.

‡ Roman Villas

109 River Nene Waterspace Study Water Newton Lock to Alwalton Lock

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Water Newton Mill. $SSUR[LPDWHORFDWLRQRIWKH5RPDQ(UPLQH6WUHHW¶VFURVVLQJRI 7KHVWXPSRI&DVWRUZLQGPLOOSURYLGHVDQRWKHUOD\HURIWKHDUHDV WKH5LYHU1HQH LQGXVWULDOSDVW

River Nene Waterspace Study 110 Water Newton Lock to Alwalton Lock

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Castor & Ailsworth ‡ Pub - Royal oak Water Newton, Ailsworth, Castor and Alwalton. - Prince of Wales Feathers Detailed waterspace study required to take account of the extensive heritage and ‡ Castor Church - St Kyneburgha ‡ Shops riverside opportunities of the area. Grade I listed building and is regarded ‡ Parking ‡ Heritage waterway hub development. amongst the top 100 churches in England. Existing Footpaths Connections to the River ‡ The building includes Roman, Saxon and ‡ The Nene Way ‡ Improve access to adjoining public rights of way along the river corridor. Norman stonework. The Norman Tower ‡ Investigate car parking requirement, providing access to river corridor. LVSUREDEO\WKH¿QHVW5RPDQHVTXHSDULVK ‡ The Hereward Way church tower in England. ‡ NCR 63 Waterspace Activity ‡ Castor is known internationally among ‡ Public Footpaths ‡ Develop visitor moorings and canoe access point for Castor & Ailsworth (Splash archaeologists as the centre of an important Lane & Landy Green Way).

Roman settlement along the Nene valley. ‡ Investigate canoe access and improve signage to backwaters around Castor Mills. The Roman palace (c. 250 AD) or praetorium ‡ Develop heritage water taxi/trip boat service from Wansford, Water Newton, (underneath the churchyard and surrounding Alwalton, Caistor and Ferry Meadows, Peterborough and Flag Fen, combine with area) was the second largest Roman build- the Nene Valley Railway and long distant footpaths. LQJLQ%ULWDLQUHSODFLQJDQHDUOLHU¿UVWFHQWXU\ Information villa. The church is built on the site of the Roman courtyard. ‡ Develop river signage strategy to link the Nene Way, Hereward Way & public rights ‡ Roman Road - Ermine Street of way. ‡ Castor Mills ‡ Change the thrust of the EA’s lock signage messages to provide a positive ‡ The Robin Hood and Little John Standing impression of the waterway environment, introduce access routes, wildlife and Stones were erected between the 12th and heritage information. 14th centuries Tourism ‡ Ferry Bridge ‡ Promote Castor and Ailsworth’s extensive heritage, wildlife and wider river valley context.

111 River Nene Waterspace Study Water Newton Lock to Alwalton Lock

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River Nene Waterspace Study 112 Water Newton Lock to Alwalton Lock

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Alwalton Lock ‡ /RFN%ULGJH+HDGURRPP Waterspace Activity ‡ Peterborough Cruising Club ‡ Improve Canoe Portage ‡ Site of Alwalton Mill ‡ Public Moorings ‡ Investigate developing visitor moorings along backwater to the right of the lock to ‡ Slipway provide access to Alwalton via the existing footpath connections. Existing Footpaths ‡ Investigate canoe access and improve signage to backwaters from Castor Mills to the north of Alwalton Lock. ‡ The Nene Way Information ‡ The Hereward Way ‡ Change the thrust of the EA’s lock signage messages to provide a positive ‡ Public Footpaths impression, introduce access routes, wildlife and heritage information.

Alwalton ‡ 1HQH9DOOH\5DLOZD\%ULGJHP Connections to the River ‡ Lynch Farm - Horse Riding ‡ Improve surfacing and detailing to riverside footpath. ‡ Alwalton Church - St. Andrew’s ‡ East of England Showground Waterspace Activity ‡ Elizabethan Manor House ‡ Pub - The Cuckoo ‡ Develop heritage water taxi/trip boat service from Wansford, Water Newton, ‡ Alwalton Hall built for William Wentworth- ‡ Shops Alwalton, Caistor and Ferry Meadows, Peterborough and Flag Fen, combine with Fitzwilliam, 4th Earl Fitzwilliam in the late long distant footpaths. Existing Footpath WKDQGHDUO\WKFHQWXULHV Information ‡ Public Footpaths ‡ Develop river signage strategy to link to the Nene Way, Hereward Way & public rights of way. Tourism

‡ Promote Alwalton’s extensive heritage, wildlife and wider river valley context.

113 River Nene Waterspace Study Ferry Meadows Country Park to Woodston

Ferry Meadows Country Park

Legend

Existing Permanent Mooring

Existing Visitor Mooring

Existing Canoe Access

M Proposed Visitor Mooring M Investigate Marina Potential Orton Lock Proposed Canoe Access

Potential Trip Boat ‘Crown Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. Peterborough Y.C. (QYLURQPHQW$JHQF\¶ Poor/No Lock Portage

River Nene Waterspace Study 114 Ferry Meadows Country Park to Woodston

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Ferry Meadows Country Park ‡ Milton Ferry Bridge Ferry Meadows Country Park - Cluster of Activity Location ‡ %OXHEHOO)RRWEULGJHP Connections to the River ‡ Nene Valley Railway - Meadows Station ‡ 2YHUWRQ/DNH&XW)RRWEULGJHP ‡ Improve access to adjoining public rights of way along the river corridor. Visitor Centre ‡ Improve surfacing and detailing to riverside footpath. Gunwade Lake ‡ Investigate potential for a ‘Boris Bike’ terminal with connections to the wider ‡ Sailing Cycleway Network, Peterborough Green Wheel and National Cycle Route 63. ‡ Cycle Hire ‡ Extend car parking provision, providing access to river corridor. ‡ Fishing Waterspace Activity Overton Lake ‡ Improve canoe access at Ferry Bridge.

‡ Moorings ‡ Extend visitor moorings and canoe access within Overton Lake, providing access to country park and visitor centre. ‡ Boat trips ‡ Investigate marina potential with Overton Lake. ‡ Caravan & Camping Site ‡ Develop heritage water taxi/trip boat service from Wansford, Water Newton, ‡ Parking Alwalton, Caistor and Ferry Meadows, Peterborough and Flag Fen, combine ‡ Ham Mere Bird Sanctuary with long distant footpaths. Existing Footpaths Information ‡ The Nene Way ‡ Develop river signage strategy to link routes within the country park to the Nene ‡ The Hereward Way Way, Hereward Way and public rights of way. ‡ NCR 63 Tourism

‡ Public Footpaths ‡ River heritage hub, incorporated within existing visitor centre. ‡ Promote Ferry Meadow’s extensive heritage, wildlife and wider river valley context.

115 River Nene Waterspace Study Ferry Meadows Country Park to Woodston

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River Nene Waterspace Study 116 Ferry Meadows Country Park to Woodston

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Longthorpe ‡ A1260 Road Bridge Connections to the River ‡ Bluebell Walk Plantation ‡ Improve access to adjoining public rights of way along the river corridor. ‡ Longthorpe Church - St Botolph’s ‡ Thorpe Wood Nature Reserve ‡ Improve surfacing and detailing to riverside footpath. ‡ Longthorpe Roman Fort - 1st Century ‡ Parking Waterspace Activity ‡ Longthorpe Tower - 14th Century three ‡ Thorpe Wood Golf Club ‡ Develop heritage water taxi/trip boat service from Wansford, Water Newton, VWRUH\WRZHUDQGIRUWL¿HG0DQRU+RXVH Existing Footpaths Alwalton, Caistor and Ferry Meadows, Peterborough and Flag Fen, combine with Grade I Listed and Scheduled Monument ‡ The Nene Way long distant footpaths. ¿QHVWDQGPRVWFRPSOHWHVHWRIGRPHVWLF ‡ The Hereward Way Information paintings of the period in northern Europe. ‡ Public Footpaths ‡ Develop river signage strategy to link routes with the Longthorpe Tower, the Nene ‡ St. Cloud’s Holy Well & Fish Ponds Way, Hereward Way and Peterborough Green Wheel. ‡ Thorpe Hall, 1654 - Grade I Listed within a Tourism Grade II Listed garden ‡ Heritage waterway hub development. ‡ Promote Longthorpe’s extensive heritage, wildlife & wider valley context.

Orton Lock ‡ Orton Station Connections to the River ‡ /RFN%ULGJH+HDGURRPP ‡ Improve surfacing and detailing to riverside footpath. ‡ Nene Valley Railway - Orton Mere station ‡ Peterborough Yacht Club Waterspace Activity (Associate of Nene River Clubs) ‡ Improve canoe portage upstream of lock. ‡ Public Moorings ‡ Develop heritage water taxi/trip boat service from Wansford, Water Newton, ‡ Canoe Slalom Course Alwalton, Caistor and Ferry Meadows and Peterborough, combine with the Nene ‡ Pub - The Gordon Arms Valley Railway and long distant footpaths. - Botolph Arms Information ‡ Shops ‡ Develop river signage strategy to link routes with the Nene Valley railway at Orton Existing Footpaths Mere station. Change the thrust of the EA’s lock signage messages to provide a positive ‡ The Nene Way ‡ impression, introduce access routes, wildlife and heritage information. ‡ The Hereward Way ‡ Public Footpaths

117 River Nene Waterspace Study Ferry Meadows Country Park to Woodston

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River Nene Waterspace Study 118 Ferry Meadows Country Park to Woodston

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Thorpe Meadows ‡ Thorpe Meadows Cut Connections to the River ‡ Visitor Moorings ‡ Improve surfacing and detailing to riverside footpath. ‡ Slipway ‡ Improve access to adjoining public rights of way, links to the Nene Way, Hereward ‡ Pub - The Boathouse Way, National Cycle Route 63 & Peterborough Green Wheel. %XWWHUÀ\+RWHO Waterspace Activity ‡ Rowing Course ‡ Improve existing mooring provision and create canoe access. ‡ Thorpe Meadows Sculpture Park ‡ Develop heritage water taxi/trip boat service from Wansford, Water Newton, Alwalton, Caistor and Ferry Meadows, Peterborough and Flag Fen, combine with ‡ Thorpe Meadows Nature Reserve long distant footpaths. Existing Footpaths Information ‡ The Nene Way ‡ Develop river signage strategy to link routes with the Thorpe Hall, Longthorpe Tower, ‡ The Hereward Way the Nene Way, Hereward Way and Peterborough Green Wheel. ‡ NCR 63 Tourism ‡ Public Footpaths ‡ Develop connections with rowing lake, Thorpe Meadows Sculpture Park and Nature Reserve.

Woodston ‡ Woodston Ponds Nature Reserve Connections to the River Existing Footpaths ‡ Improve access to adjoining public rights of way, links to the Nene Way, Hereward ‡ Woodston Church - St. Augustine ‡ The Nene Way Way, National Cycle Route 53 & Peterborough Green Wheel. ‡ Nene Valley Railway - Woodston Wharf ‡ The Hereward Way Waterspace Activity Station ‡ NCR 53 ‡ Develop visitor moorings to access provision and create canoe access Woodston ‡ Museum Wharf station and the Nene Valley railway. ‡ Public Footpaths

119 River Nene Waterspace Study Peterborough to Flag Fen Archaeology Park & Stanground Lock

M

Legend

Existing Permanent Mooring

Existing Visitor Mooring Stanground Marina Existing Water Point

Existing Canoe Access

M Proposed Visitor Mooring Stanground Lock Investigate Marina Potential

Proposed Canoe Access

Potential Trip Boat

Poor/No Lock Portage ‘Crown Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. (QYLURQPHQW$JHQF\¶ Proposed Waterspace Study Area

River Nene Waterspace Study 120 Peterborough to Flag Fen Archaeology Park & Stanground Lock

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Peterborough City Embankment ‡ Rail Bridges Peterborough Embankment - River Gateway Location ‡ Asda Footbridge Detailed waterspace study required to take account of the recent large scale mixed ‡ Peterborough Cathedral - St Peter, St ‡ Town Bridge use regeneration which is planned for the south bank. Paul & St Andrew. ‡ Public Moorings ‡ Ensure new development proposals relate to and improve the river ‡ Tombs - Queen Katharine of Aragon ‡ All shops and services corridor. The principal improvements are to connect green infrastructure - Mary Queen of Scots routes and to enhance river habitats and wildlife movement. ‡ Sea Scouts ‡ Whitwoth Mill Peterborough Embankment to become an active hub to draw people to ‡ Key Ferry Cruises ‡ the waterfront and an inviting place for boaters to stop. ‡ Pump Out/Refuse ‡ 3URSRVHGPDULQDORFDWLRQHDVWRI+LJK5RDG%ULGJH $  ‡ Water Point ‡ Toilet/Shower ‡ (QJDJHERDWLQJDQG¿VKLQJFRPPXQLWLHVWRGHYHORSSRVLWLYHUHODWLRQVKLS ‡ Slipway River Nene corridor has the potential to be a blue/green corridor for wildlife, health, aesthetics and showcase sustainable development within UK’s Environment Capital. ‡ Ferry Cruises & Trip Boats Connections to the River ‡ Charters & Restaurant ‡ Develop the The Embankment as a destination within the City with links to other ‡ Grain Barge visitor attractions. ‡ Key Theatre ‡ Improve links between the City Centre and river, including CCTV and lighting. ‡ Asda ‡ Develop links with the Nene Valley Railway at Woodston Wharf. ‡ Peterborough Station Existing Footpaths ‡ 'HYHORSSURMHFWWRGHOLYHUÀRRGSURWHFWLRQDQGLPSURYHGDFFHVVWRSHGHVWULDQDQG F\FOHURXWHVZKLFKVXIIHUIURPUHJXODUÀRRGLQJ ‡ The Nene Way ‡ Improve surfacing and detailing to riverside footpath. ‡ The Hereward Way Waterspace Activity ‡ NCR 12, 53 & 63 ‡ Develop river connections between the City Centre and Ferry Meadows ‡ Public Footpaths ‡ In the short term improve boating infrastructure by redeveloping the toilets and pump out along The Embankment.

‡ Improve existing mooring provision and develop visitor moorings and canoe access to link with wider aspirations of the Fens Waterways link.

‡ ,PSURYHH[LVWLQJ¿VKLQJLQIUDVWUXFWXUHDQGOHLVXUHRSSRUWXQLWLHV

121 River Nene Waterspace Study Peterborough to Flag Fen Archaeology Park & Stanground Lock

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River Nene Waterspace Study 122 Peterborough to Flag Fen Archaeology Park & Stanground Lock

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Peterborough City Embankment Waterspace Activity ‡ Develop heritage water taxi/trip boat service from Wansford, Water Newton, Alwalton, Caistor and Ferry Meadows, Peterborough and Flag Fen, combine with the Nene Valley Railway and long distant footpaths. Townscape/Biodiversity

‡ Improve perception of the City’s river corridor by developing a softer ‘green’ IULQJHDORQJULYHUEDQNVFUHDWLQJWRYLVXDOO\DWWUDFWLYHDQGZLOGOLIHEHQH¿FLDO environment.

‡ 5LYHUWKURXJKWKHWRZQIRUSHRSOHZLOGOLIHDQGZLGHUHQYLURQPHQWDOEHQH¿W ‡ Manage and maintain vegetation in order not to impede river activities, improve visibility of the river, access, safety and the environment. Information

‡ Assist new and existing residential and business communities, local boat FOXEVVHDVFRXWV¿VKLQJJURXSVVFKRROJURXSVDQGWKH6DIHU3HWHUERURXJK Partnership to be more attached to their river by involving them in its development and leisure opportunities, its upkeep and promotion.

‡ Develop river signage strategy to link the river to the Town Centre Tourism

‡ 1HQH9DOOH\)HVWLYDOULYHUWKHPHIRUWRWLHLQZLWK3HWHUERURXJK celebrations.

‡ Investigate potential of Peterborough hosting a Inland Waterways Festival in support of the delivery of the River Nene improvement projects.

123 River Nene Waterspace Study Peterborough to Flag Fen Archaeology Park & Stanground Lock

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River Nene Waterspace Study 124 Peterborough to Flag Fen Archaeology Park & Stanground Lock

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

High Road Bridge (Downstream) ‡ Public Moorings Connections to the River ‡ Pump Out/Refuse ‡ Improve access to adjoining public rights of way, links to the Nene Way, Hereward ‡ Toilets Way, National Cycle Route 63 & Peterborough Green Wheel. ‡ Water Point Waterspace Activity ‡ Investigate new marina development to include full services of toilets, pump out ‡ Slipway fuel etc. ‡ Deregulated speed section Existing Footpaths

‡ The Nene Way ‡ The Hereward Way ‡ NCR 63 ‡ Public Footpaths

Flag Fen Archaeology Park ‡ Footbridge to Whittlesey Connections to the River ‡ Northey Lodge Caravan Park ‡ Improve access to adjoining public rights of way, links to the Nene Way, Hereward ‡ ,QWHUQDWLRQDOVLJQL¿FDQFH ‡ Permanent Moorings Way, National Cycle Route 63 & Peterborough Green Wheel. ‡ Bronze Age site developed about 3500 ‡ Deregulated speed section Waterspace Activity years ago, comprising over 60,000 timbers, Existing Public Rights of Way ‡ Develop heritage water taxi/trip boat service from Wansford, Water Newton, DUUDQJHGLQ¿YHYHU\ORQJURZVFUHDWLQJD ‡ The Nene Way Alwalton, Caistor and Ferry Meadows, Peterborough and Flag Fen, combine with wooden causeway across the wet fenland. ‡ The Hereward Way the Nene Valley Railway and long distant footpaths. ‡ NCR 63 ‡ Develop moorings and canoe access to link with wider aspirations of the Fens ‡ Public Footpaths Waterways link.

125 River Nene Waterspace Study Peterborough to Flag Fen Archaeology Park & Stanground Lock

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River Nene Waterspace Study 126 Peterborough to Flag Fen Archaeology Park & Stanground Lock

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Morton’s Leam ‡ 5DLOZD\%ULGJHDWFRQÀXHQFHZLWK the River Nene

Stanground ‡ Stanground Marina Connections to the River ‡ Peterborough Boating Centre ‡ Improve access to adjoining public rights of way, links to the National Cycle Route Stanground Church - St John the Baptist & ‡ ‡ Boatyard - M R Jackson 12 and Peterborough Green Wheel. St Michael & All Angels ‡ Pub - Woolpack Waterspace Activity ‡ 12th century Lampass Cross in the Existing Public Rights of Way ‡ Improve existing moorings and create canoe access at The Woolpack. churchyard ‡ Public Footpaths

Stanground Lock ‡ Limit of Environment Agency Connections to the River Navigation ‡ Improve access to adjoining public rights of way, links to the National Cycle Route ‡ Entrance to the Middle Level 12 and Peterborough Green Wheel. Navigation Waterspace Activity Existing Public Rights of Way ‡ Install canoe portage ‡ NCR 12 Information

‡ Change the thrust of the EA’s lock signage messages to provide a positive impression of the waterway environment, introduce access routes, wildlife and heritage information.

127 River Nene Waterspace Study Flag Fen Archaeology Park to Dog in a Doublet Lock

Dog in a Doublet Lock

Legend

Existing Permanent Mooring

Existing Water Point

Investigate Marina Potential

Proposed Canoe Access ‘Crown Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. (QYLURQPHQW$JHQF\¶ Poor/No Lock Portage

River Nene Waterspace Study 128 Flag Fen Archaeology Park to Dog in a Doublet Lock

Location - River Nene Existing Situation/Provision Action: Heritage Assets Description/Recommendation

Sounding Bridge ‡ Deregulated speed section Connections to the River ‡ Existing permenant moorings ‡ Improve access to adjoining public rights of way, links to the National Cycle Routes Existing Footpaths 12, 63 and Peterborough Green Wheel.

‡ The Nene Way Waterspace Activity

‡ The Hereward Way ‡ Improve existing provision and facilities for permanent moorings. ‡ NCR 63 Information ‡ Public Footpaths ‡ Develop river signage strategy

Dog in a Doublet Lock ‡ Tidal limit of the River Nene Waterspace Activity ‡ ($+U9LVLWRUPRRULQJV ‡ Install canoe portage ‡ Bronze Age boats excavated (2014?) ‡ Pub - Dog in a Doublet Information ‡ Pillbox Toilets ‡ ‡ Change the thrust of the EA’s lock signage messages to provide a positive ‡ Water Point impression of the waterway environment, introduce access routes, wildlife and Existing Public Rights of Way heritage information. ‡ The Nene Way ‡ The Hereward Way ‡ NCR 63 ‡ Public Footpaths

Whittlesey Pub - The Boat Connections to the River - The New Crown ‡ Improve access to the Nene Way, Hereward Way and adjoining public rights of ‡ Whittlesey Church - St. Mary’s - 15th Existing Public Rights of Way way, links to the National Cycle Routes 12, 63 and Peterborough Green Wheel. Century ‡ The Nene Way Tourism

‡ The Hereward Way ‡ Promote Whittlesey’s extensive heritage, wildlife & wider valley context. ‡ NCR 63 ‡ Public Footpaths

129 River Nene Waterspace Study Flag Fen Archaeology Park to Dog in a Doublet Lock

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River Nene Waterspace Study 130 Flag Fen Archaeology Park to Dog in a Doublet Lock

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131 River Nene Waterspace Study

Appendix Workshop Attendees

Workshop Attendees Waterway users and waterway recreation providers Other recreational users and providers Community Representatives Debbie Skinner White Mills Marina Peter Bate Sustrans Jenny Hodgson Stanwick Parish Council Richard Nelson Canoe2 Neil Hart Lyveden New Bild, National Rosemary Smart Earls Barton Parish Council. Ivan Tee Peterborough & District Trust Linda Morrison Earls Barton Parish Council. Angling Association Janet Cartwright Peterborough Ramblers Becky Rice Earls Barton Parish Council. Dan Jones Nene Valley Boats Karen Williams Destination Nene Valley Julie Thorneycroft Town Manager, Rushden & John Brown Association of Nene River Lee Moore Public Rights of Way Higham Ferrers Clubs    2I¿FHU 3HWHUERURXJK &LW\ Antar Howarth Titchmarsh Parish Council Council Karen Scrivener Association of Nene River Trevor Rouse Orton Waterville Parish Clubs Neil Holland Northamptonshire County Council Council Highways Dept. Ray Blackpool Friends of the River Nene Richard Horrell Islip Parish Council John Loasby Friends of the River Nene Andrew Russell Chester Farm John Gould Fotheringhay Parish Meeting Jim McCarthy Northampton Canoe & Kayak Environmental & strategic organisations John Davies Fotheringhay Parish Meeting Club/BCU Development Matt Johnson The Wildlife Trust Charles Gould Fotheringhay Team Michelle Russell Natural England Jon-Paul Carr Irchester Parish & Roger Sexton East Anglian Waterways Louise Spolton Tourism, East Wellingborough Councillor Association Northamptonshire Council Nikki Daft Irchester & Great Malcolm Hemmings Northampton Boat Club Andra Stopforth Planning Policy, East Harrowden Parish Councils Jack Hobbs Northampton Boat Club Northamptonshire Council Liz Palmer Great Addington Parish Clive Hodgson Willy Watt/Blackthorn Lake Kathryn Hardcastle River Nene Regional Park Council Marina Viktor Tsikas River Nene Regional Park Nick Palmer Great Addington Parish Council Josie Bateman Northamptonshire County Council Keith Doherty Pilton, Stoke Doyle & Wadenhoe Parish Council Tom Lester Flood Risk Management, Environment Agency Paul Bird Woodford Parish Council Amy Tilson Breaking New Ground Ian Allin Orton Longueville Parish Council Ed Barker Farm Management    &RQVXOWDQW&KHI¿QV

River Nene Waterspace Study 134