We are delighted to announce the successful completion of the St Erth Riverside Regeneration & Community Access Project. This project has been delivered on time and within budget, bringing significant improvements to our local environment and enhancing access to green spaces for our community.
The project was part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Cornwall Council was chosen by Government as Lead Authority for the fund and was responsible for monitoring the progress of projects funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
Safer and Improved Riverbank Footpath
The project focused on reinforcing sections of the River Hayle bank between St Erth Bridge and Green Lane Bridge, where erosion had been threatening the permissive footpath. Using natural green bank repair techniques, we have reinforced the riverbank and widened sections of the path to improve safety for all users. In addition, new signage and protective measures have been installed to encourage responsible use and reduce further erosion. We hope that these improvements, along with ongoing maintenance work, will help to preserve this vital community asset for years to come.
In addition, Forest for Cornwall supported the project by providing tree whips to plant on sections of the riverbank, along with tree protections, mulch mats, and temporary fencing to help protect the banks and give the green bank repairs a chance to bed in.
The Environment Agency has also provided a grant to the Westcountry Rivers Trust through the Water Environment Improvement Fund (WEIF) to complement this project, allowing work to be carried out on an additional section of the riverbank that required a special permit. This funding will also enable the installation of steps at two dog access points and over the embankment into the Nature Park, further enhancing accessibility and safety for all users.
Nature Park Now Open
One of the most exciting aspects of the project has been the opening up of the overgrown scrubland at the end of Battery Mill play park to create a Nature Park that is accessible to all. A 600m route has been cleared through the scrubland, with 215m of new accessible pathways installed to ensure that everyone, including wheelchair users and parents with prams, can enjoy this beautiful natural space. Bird and bat boxes have been placed to encourage wildlife, and benches have been installed for visitors to relax and enjoy their surroundings.
Community Engagement and Future Plans
This project has been a fantastic example of community involvement, with volunteers playing a key role learning new skills as River Wardens to help maintain the green bank repairs for the future, planting tree trees and general scrub maintenance.
The Nature Park is already being enjoyed by residents of all ages, demonstrating the value of regenerating underutilized community spaces and it has been fantastic to receive such positive feedback from a wide range of people. Looking ahead, the Parish Council plans to landscape the extended space between the mini skate ramp and the Nature Park which will hopefully include the installation of a new base and basketball hoop, plant wildflowers in the spring, and explore the possibility of creating a pond and bird hide at the far end of the Nature Park to further enrich the area.
A Lasting Impact
This project has not only improved the safety and accessibility of our local footpath and green spaces but has also fostered a stronger sense of community ownership and environmental responsibility. With ongoing volunteer involvement and plans for future enhancements, the legacy of this initiative will continue to benefit St Erth for years to come. We would like to thank everyone who contributed to making this project a success and invite you to come and explore the newly improved footpath and Nature Park. Your feedback is always welcome, and we look forward to seeing these spaces thrive as cherished community assets.
Community Survey
As part of our final evaluation of the project we will be completing a post completion survey similar to the one that was sent out in September to find out your opinion of how safe and how accessible the riverbank footpath and Nature Park are now the work has been completed. Watch out for a link to the survey shortly.
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