Press Release

Riverside walk opens

03/04/08

A new riverside walk has been created linking Midsummer Meadows and Becketts Park. The new pathways and seating areas will be opened on Friday 4 April 2008 completing the first phase of a project to breathe new life into the riverside.

The improvements to the riverside area have been funded by a £375,000 grant awarded to Northampton Borough Council by Northamptonshire Enterprise Limited. The walk links the picnic area in Midsummer Meadows with a new entranceway in Becketts Park.

Two columns now mark the entrance to Becketts Park, with a new pathway leading to the riverside. Lighting has been added along the path with new trees and shrubs being planted. A new seating area has been created at the canal lock to make it more accessible.

In Midsummer Meadow the new pathway follows the river from Nunn Mills Road to the picnic area. In phase two a new landing stage will be added allowing boats to moor.

Councillor Trini Crake, Northampton Borough Council cabinet member for the environment said: "The Nene is one of Northampton's hidden treasures and the work we are doing will mean more people can come and enjoy the riverside. The new seating areas and easy access to the picnic area mean this will be a great place to relax in the summer.

"And with a number of major new developments planned on the south bank of the river, the walk will no doubt become an easy and attractive pedestrian link to the town centre."

Continuing the regeneration of the riverside, Northampton Borough Council is starting work on a Master Plan for Becketts Park. This document will look at the future of the park and ideas for making Becketts Park an important hub on the Nene connecting Midsummer Meadow and Upton.