WATERSPACE STUDY SEPTEMBER 2017 This Study has been prepared by the WaterSpace Partnership THANK YOU For more information on the WaterSpace Study The Study partners would like to thank all those please contact the Environment & Design team at who have taken part in the preparation of this environment&[email protected] Study over the last two years, including: the Strategic This document can also be viewed on our website River Group, the WaterSpace Partnership Steering www.waterspacebath.org.uk. WaterSpace Study Group, the River Avon Consultative Committee, can be made available in a range of languages, large the River Safety Group, and outreach officers from print, Braille, on tape, electronic and accessible charity Julian House. formats by contacting the Council on: Thanks to all of those who have engaged with the Telephone: 01225 477548 project, attending and running waterways related Fax: 01225 394199 events, putting forward project ideas, providing photos and reviewing drafts. Design by SteersMcgillanEves www.steersmcgillaneves.co.uk We look forward to working with partners and local people to deliver and develop further the aspirations in this study. This Study has been produced by Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Environment & Design Team working together with Atkins. This project has been recognised for its contribution to planning for the Natural Environment: CONTENTS FOREWORDS WATERSPACE STUDY BRISTOL AVON PROJECTS & 04 EVIDENCE AND CATCHMENT PROJECT IDEAS ANALYSIS AND FLOOD 69 11 MANAGEMENT PROJECTS & PROJECT QUICK GUIDE TO KEY PARTNER STRATEGIES IDEAS–WHOLE AND PROJECTS 12 46 STUDYAREA 72 THE WATERSPACE BRISTOL AVON CATCHMENT CONSULTATION AND PROJECTS & PROJECT STUDY PARTNERSHIP 47 ENGAGEMENT 15 IDEAS–LOCATION FLOOD MANAGEMENT 48 06 FIELDTRIPS 19 SPECIFIC 96 ADAPTATION BOATER SURVEY AND RESILIENCE RESULTS 2016 20 INTRODUCTION FRAMEWORK 50 RESIDENT’S SURVEY FUNDING & 08 2017 26 THE VISION 09 CHARACTER DELIVERY STUDY AIMS AND ASSESSMENT 29 THE FIVE STUDY 140 THEMES 10 HISTORY 42 THEMES FUNDING & DELIVERY OVERVIEW 141 51 RIVER CORRIDOR THEME 1: ASSETS & WATERSPACE FUNDING ASSET MANAGEMENT 52 AND SPEND BY LOCATION THEME 2: MOORINGS (2013–2017) 143 & NAVIGATION 54 THEME 3: REGENERATION & DEVELOPMENT 59 THEME 4: ENVIRONMENTAL BACKGROUND ENHANCEMENT & EVIDENCE WATER QUALITY 62 145 THEME 5: RECREATION EVIDENCE 146 & LEISURE 65 APPENDICES 149 WATER SPACE STUDY 03 FOREWORDS BATH & NORTH EAST CANAL & RIVER TRUST SOMERSET COUNCIL The waterways of Bath and North development in Bath – the Bath Compared to the Roman baths in this is also home to 21 conservation sites, East Somerset are a fantastic natural Enterprise Zone, is a 98ha riverside historic city, the Kennet & Avon Canal 14 Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and economic asset. They have been development area which will see the is a relative newcomer at just 200 years a world heritage site and a historic shaped by people over generations, with delivery of 9,000 new jobs and 3,400 old. However, it’s a perfect complement battlefield. interventions including the creation of new homes over the next 20 years. to Bath’s Georgian architecture, leading The waterways in our care are a the Kennet & Avon Canal over 200 years Development within this Enterprise you through the city and out towards fantastic opportunity for people and ago, the installation of flood defences Zone, has the potential to increase the the Wiltshire Downs. communities to discover heritage and in the 1970s and more recently in the value of the Bath Economy by £620 This canal is one of the nation’s most wildlife or just take a few moments to creation of new public parks in Bath, at million per annum. Regeneration is loved waterways. From Hanham slow down. They also provide a boost to Quays Waterside and Bath Riverside. being delivered via the allocation of to Reading, the 87-mile-long green local economic activity and tourism. river corridor sites in the B&NES Local Historically the River Avon has been corridor cuts a path through some As a partner and contributor to the Bath Plan and can be seen with on-site integral to the growth of the World of the most spectacular scenery in Waterspace Study, Canal & River Trust delivery on key riverside development Heritage City of Bath, facilitating trade the south-west and links Bristol and is proud to care for the city’s historic projects such as Bath Riverside and and development. In modern times, the Channel. Like many other inland waterways and ensure they continue to Bath Quays. both the Kennet & Avon Canal and waterways, it has defied the decline of transform places and enrich lives. the River Avon offer opportunities for We are delighted to have the previous uses, but bounced back with a recreation, leisure, sport, angling and opportunity to work with our partners new vitality to serve future generations. boating, and urban regeneration. to develop this Study. Its completion This beautiful waterway is an escape for The WaterSpace project was identified will help us to identify specific priority locals and visitors from further afield, as a priority in the Council’s Green projects, develop funding bids and whether on foot, by boat or on two Richard Parry Infrastructure Strategy – the waterways realise opportunities for the Partnership wheels. The canal in Bath is dotted with Chief Executive provide green routes, green spaces and to continue working together to deliver destinations perfect for family days Canal & River Trust water bodies for people to safely enjoy. our shared vision to revitalise our out including the Dundas and Avoncliff In addition, the river and canal corridors waterways. Aqueducts, Claverton Pumping Station, are designated as protected sites of the deepest lock on the waterways, in nature conservation interest. They bring Bath itself, and with the iconic Caen wildlife into the heart of Bath, and allow Hill flight of locks just 15 miles away. It people to access the countryside on their doorstep. The waterways and the Louise Fradd green routes that follow them provide a Strategic Director – Place lifeline for a range of wildlife – including rare and protected species. The River Avon corridor is undergoing significant redevelopment of brownfield sites, and is the focus for major new WATER SPACE STUDY 04 FOREWORDS ENVIRONMENT AGENCY WESSEX WATER The WaterSpace Study covers 16 issues identified. We want to take part For centuries, waterways were seen to society and the environment, we need miles of the River Avon and Kennet in a co-ordinated approach, making as the waste disposal routes for cities, to work in partnership to understand the & Avon Canal, starting in Dundas, the most of the river and canal. In a moving contaminants quickly away different roles, functions and aspirations passing through the world heritage competitive funding environment, it is from people. It is only in recent decades of organisations to deliver complimentary city of Bath and finishing in Hanham. essential that partners work together to that society has recognised the value of solutions. We recognise the importance Tackling issues around water quality, seek and use funding efficiently. river and canals, as spaces for amenity, of water to society, whether as a basic river and canal access, flood risk and Together, we have an opportunity recreation, relaxation and wildlife. Water human need or as a therapeutic part of wildlife habitat is important to many to make a lasting impact for the quality has improved, through better our landscape and cityscape. individuals and organisations in the environment and for local communities. sewerage and sewage treatment, allowing Wessex Water is a keen supporter of study area. A vibrant, healthy river and us to look to rivers and canals to provide this innovative WaterSpace Study. The canal environment is an increasingly breathing space and areas of calm in an Study highlights some very exciting new important asset, delivering economic otherwise hectic world. projects to enhance the River Avon and growth, helping to revitalise our Wessex Water is supportive of the Bristol Kennet and Avon Canal. It has reinforced waterways and contributing to our Nick Gupta Avon Catchment Partnership as a vehicle links between the partners fostering health and well-being. It supports Wessex Area Manager to bring together relevant organisations new ways of working. We have identified recreation, tourism, agriculture and and interested parties around land and where we have common aspirations, dependent industries. Working in water management which influence challenges and projects, which could partnership to achieve this is vital to the river. The Bristol Avon hydrological be delivered together. In many cases, our success. catchment covers a large area from its we also have similar maintenance and A joined up approach to understanding source in the Cotswolds near Tetbury, management responsibilities with these waterways will result in multiple flowing through a rural and urban potential to be combined and delivered benefits. It will help us become more landscape until it reaches the Bristol more efficiently in future. resilient in respect of flood risk, help us Channel at Avonmouth. Land and river adapt to climate change and will play an management throughout the catchment important role in enhancing this part of has an impact on all aspects of the Kennet the catchment for future generations. and Avon Canal and River Avon. Looking DavidElliott It will link with important planning for at catchments at a strategic level we can Group Director of the area through the Joint Spatial Plan understand the interactions, beyond Strategy & New Markets for the West of England and the Bath political boundaries, and highlight the and North East Somerset Local Plan. issues to be tackled. However, much The Environment Agency is keen to work of the delivery will be more localised with partners and local communities through projects and partnerships, such to deliver the objectives of this study; as this one.