Exciting plans to extend the pedestrian walkway along the riverside in Gainsborough have been given the go ahead. West Lindsey District Council’s Planning Committee approved the plans, which were submitted by Acis, who can now create a walkway to connect the existing paths to the north and south.
Mark Jones, Director of Property Services at Acis said:
“We are delighted to see that our plans for the Riverside Walk have been approved. This will enhance our ambitious plans for regeneration in the town. We are proud to call Gainsborough our home and it’s great to be able to link the town together with this extended walkway for all to use.”
The news has been welcomed by Chairman of the Prosperous Communities Committee Cllr. Owen Bierley. He said:
"Extending the Riverside walkway in Gainsborough will be a great benefit not only to the people that live in the town who will be able to enjoy the great views and maybe see the famous Aegir. It also provides a new focal point on the River Trent for visitors to the town.”
As part of the plans to extend the Riverside Walk works will also include safety improvements with street lighting and CCTV being installed on the route. Work is expected to start on site in August and is expected to be complete by December. It follows the £20 million investment into new homes in Gainsborough along the riverfront, which was announced by Acis in January this year.
As previously reported, Acis is working closely with the Council to regenerate the land off Bowling Green Road to develop 135 new homes with associated landscaping. The new development will be built on a riverside setting, close to the popular Mercer Wood. It will offer residents an innovative mix of various affordable housing to rent and buy from over 55s accommodation and shared ownership properties to family homes. Working closely with the Environment Agency the finished floor levels of the new homes have been raised above the minimum levels to deliver the required flood risk mitigation measures. A £2.27 million grant has been awarded by the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (GLLEP) to enable the development. It was a sentiment echoed by Pat Doody, Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP.
“We in Greater Lincolnshire LEP are proud to support WLDC with their ambitious £20 million plans for the town centre and the riverside. The extension of the riverside walk will significantly enhance the connectivity within the town for residents and visitors alike, and we are delighted to support this scheme with a grant of £2.27 million, adding to the other investments we have made in West Lindsey through the Governments growth deal.”
Cllr. Trevor Young, ward Councillor for the South West Ward in Gainsborough welcomed the news. He said:
“This new section of Riverside path will help to complete and enhance the current Riverside area. The opening of the new section will help to connect new developments in the town and to bring the local community together.
The Riverside Walk is already very well used and we hope that with the opening of this new section, we can encourage more people to enjoy a stroll or jog, whilst the provision of new CCTV will help to reassure residents that this area will be safe at night.”
The Conservative Leader of the Council added:
“This is another example of the investment that is going into the town and supports the wider £18 million regeneration plan for Gainsborough that was launched by West Lindsey District Council in 2016.”
