Langport River Project
Langport Town Council is thrilled to announce that the long-awaited result of the grant application for ‘The Langport River Project’ has been successful. The project, which is altogether worth in excess of £200k, has attracted nearly £180k of funding from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development through the Rural Development Programme for England. Other funding is being contributed by South Somerset District Council and by Langport Town Council.
“The project will contribute to the growth of Langport as a rural tourism hub for our internationally renowned Levels and Moors area of Somerset. Langport is poised to capitalise on its rich natural resources, held in the public realm, by introducing sustainable riverside amenities.” Langport Town Council, 2018.
The success is in large part due to the support of local people and businesses who have generously contributed by hosting and attending facilitated events, writing letters of support, providing statistics and quoting for work, taking photographs, drawing maps and giving their whole-hearted backing to the project. Further mention must go to the Inland Waterways Association, which has been with the application all the way, including actively clearing the area around Huish Bridge, with its Waterways Recovery Group.
A reminder that the main grant will be used to provide a long list of riverside amenities including pontoons with access ramps and safety equipment, new fishing platforms for disabled anglers, steps for canoeists, facilities for cyclists, riverside ‘furniture’, improvements to signage, solar lighting, a fitness trail and an outside tap for filling re-usable water bottles or washing muddy boots. Improvements to the 550 metre footpath between Langport and Huish Bridge will also be made.
Work is planned to start in the next few weeks with the repair of the slipway at Huish Bridge, and begin in earnest with the rest from May.
Val Saunders, Chair of Langport Town Council says: “The purpose of the Langport River Project is to enhance the facilities on the River Parrett both on and off-water. We have a stunning natural asset in the town and expect these improvements to attract more visitors to the area and add some real economic value. We aim to get the work completed by spring 2020.”
For more information please contact Deborah Speed – Town Clerk by email townclerk@langport.life or telephone 01458 259700.
