Ribble Barrage .. an alternative plan

In view of the news that the daft plan for a barrage on the Ribble has been "put on ice" see



http://www.lep.co.uk/news/Barrage-plan-put-on-ice.3451802.jp



I've written to the leader of the city council thus:




Dear Cllr. Hudson,

I was pleased to read in the LEP yesterday that plans for a proposed river barrage have at least been put on the back burner, and I would hope that it is indeed sunk without trace.

As a local resident with some experience in the world of regeneration and an interest in a sustainable environment I would suggest this decision offers the city a golden opportunity to develop a plan for the whole of the Ribble flood plain that could bring huge benefits to local people, wildlife and the economy. In the context of wider strategic plans why not seek to get the whole of the undeveloped / green part of the flood plain from the Tickled Trout, downstream to Longton marsh to be designated as a Country park / nature reserve / green corridor at the heart of Central Lancashire?

The arguments for this are environmental and recreational. Even though the area should essentially remain greenbelt, there could be some minimal development like improving pathways for walkers and cyclists, more interpretation boards or a field studies centre and more marketing so that the area is used more by local people and attracts visitors. I’m sure it would be worthwhile developing partnerships involving not only Preston and South Ribble Councils, but sports associations (football, canoeing, cycling etc.), the wildlife trust, the RSPB and even the cafes and pubs along the way. Sounds like a great opportunity waiting to be grasped, and the tidal flowing Ribble would be the central feature. There are similar models of riverside country parks which are worth looking at, for example the Nene Valley in Peterborough and the Mersey Valley Park nearer to home. I’d be interested to hear what you think of such an idea, and delighted if you could get your officers looking into it.


Yours sincerely


Greg Smith



For some of my latest photos of the river and surroundin area go to



http://picasaweb.google.com/gregmaistersmith/RibbleThroughPreston



You'll find the new ones at the bottom of the album