Riverside work gets underway

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Press Release

Published on 25 January 2022
Archived on 25 February 2022


Following the approval of planning permission for the Stratford Riverside project, preparations have been made for the start of work onsite. This marks an exciting stage as appointed contractors work over the coming months in the northern part of the scheme.

The Riverside Project has been awarded £1.5 million of funding from the Government's Getting Building Fund through Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP). The project is also funded via contributions from Stratford-on-Avon District Council and Stratford-upon-Avon Town Trust.

The first development will be from the Marina to the small footbridge north of the humpback footbridge. Stratford-based contractor McVeigh Construction, will commence in early February on the replacement of the humpback footbridge with a more natural, accessible bridge. This will be lifted into place once the existing bridge has been demolished and the new bridge foundations have been constructed.

Adjacent to the Marina, the existing entry road will be lifted to the level of the exit road. A new shared surface will be installed to improve the safety of the road and interaction of vehicles, pedestrians and cycles crossing the area. Existing footpaths will be widened and resurfaced to connect through to the new cycleway to the north of the footbridge.

Alongside this, will be the development of the hard and soft landscaping from the bridge up to Fisherman's car park. Idverde, a national contractor with an excellent track record in works of this nature, have been appointed to undertake this work. This will include the landscape and habitat improvement works, such as pond restoration, tree maintenance, reed beds, wildflower mounds and planting, together with the construction of the shared cycleway and the new access path from the Leisure Centre car park. All work will be overseen by retained experts and designers to ensure they are carried out sympathetically to the needs of the environment and site, for example, taking into account the start of bird nesting season.

Access along the riverside path will be maintained for as much of the project as possible, although this will be a one-way route due to the closure of the footbridge. Access to the informal paths to the northeast of the site will be suspended for much of the works as the majority of this area will be designated as a construction site and safety considerations are paramount.

The timescale for completion is approximately five months and the existing footpath will be closed until the new footbridge and footpaths are complete. Works to the marina entrance will be phased to maintain access to the marina car parks and facilities throughout. Alternative routes will be well signposted.

Tony Perks, Stratford District Council, said: 'The work over the coming months will cause some disruption and naturally the area will not look its best while it is ongoing. However, once complete, the resulting new bridge and improved paths will make the Riverside area accessible for all, connecting the town and bringing everyone closer to nature.'

Sarah Windrum, CWLEP Chair, said: "It is fantastic that the Riverside project has taken another step forward with the procurement of a number of contractors.

"Creating a green, sustainable future is one of the key elements of CWLEP's Strategic Reset Framework as we encourage a green recovery from the pandemic throughout our area.

"It is vital we create the pedestrian and cycle networks which are needed to encourage a different way of travelling to our town and city centres as well as improving air quality as we play our part in helping the Government to reach its Net Zero targets."

A full list of appointed contractors is available on the Stratford Riverside website: www.stratfordriverside.com


Getting Building Fund

On 4 August 2020, the government confirmed the list of over 300 successful projects which will receive a share of £900 million from the Getting Building Fund.

The full list of projects is available on GOV.UK.

The Getting Building Fund is investing in shovel-ready infrastructure projects to create jobs and support economic recovery across the country. Projects funded include:

  • regeneration of town and city centres
  • green infrastructure and clean energy
  • transport and digital connectivity improvements
  • unlocking of housing and business sites
  • support for SMEs and learners

The successful projects (over 300) are expected to deliver up to 85,000 jobs, over 1,500,000 sqm of commercial floor space, unlocking 45,000 homes, almost 1,000,000 sqm of public realm or green space improved or created, over 50,000 new learners assisted


Contact details

Stratford-on-Avon District Council
Elizabeth House, Church Street,
Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire,
CV37 6HX
Tel: 01789 267575

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Last updated on 25/01/2022