Burnley’s Urban River Enhancement Scheme Jack Spees Trust Director Ribble Rivers Trust Where it all began…..

URES – “Where it all began” WELCOME! Who thought they would ever attend a rivers conference in Burnley?

URES – “Where it all began” The Ribble… has some beautiful assets that are well known And some “dirty secrets” on the “otherside” of Pendle Hill

URES – “Where it all began” Our efforts in the Calder Catchment began in 2009 Padiham Power Station Weir Continued in 2010 through the River Improvement Fund

URES – “Where it all began” Where next? At the end of 2010 we began planning our next phase of work Which started with a walkover of lesser known rivers

URES – “Where it all began” We put together some outline ideas and submitted an EOI to the HLF A holistic approach to Urban River Enhancement Community Engagement Innovative solutions to constrained river channels Increasing the access and interest in a town centre eco-system Recording and promoting the historical heritage the river presented to the Town of Burnley

URES – “Where it all began” This was successful! We then commenced a complex and detailed feasibility and development phase Physical Improvements had a rough start…. But the enthusiasm for community involvement made up for it!

URES – “Where it all began” Expanding our partnerships Worked with new organisations from different sectors to achieve multiple objectives Increased our influence, but importantly the influence of communities on us Created interest from others to join our volunteer army!

URES – “Where it all began” So what did we want to see? More heterogeneous habitat and improved water quality Sea trout and salmon in the Town Center for the first time in over 100 years Local action groups committed to improving the Town’s Rivers An archive of information and heritage Create an unprecedented level of interest and value placed on rivers More recognition and understanding of rivers’ importance and benefits Lasting partnerships which will continue to reap benefits in Burnley and Beyond