Local MP re-opens Itchen footpath in Eastleigh
5 May 2009
Local MP Chris Huhne has officially re-opened the Itchen Way footpath at Allbrook in Eastleigh after the completion of major bank restoration and footpath improvements on the Itchen Navigation.
The works were overseen by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust as part of the Itchen Navigation Heritage Trail Project, a conservation project funded by Heritage Lottery Fund, Environment Agency and Eastleigh Borough Council. The five-year project aims to conserve the wildlife and heritage of the Itchen Navigation as well as improving parts of the footpath, which runs along the length of the Navigation all the way from Southampton to Winchester. A group of local landowners and stakeholders attended the opening ceremony and were shown the improvements to the river bank by Itchen Navigation Project Manager, Ali Morse.
At Allbrook, the banks were weak and the footpath on top of the bank has a history of being flooded and eroded by the river. The project engineers have used 2,000 tonnes of locally sourced chalk to build up and stabilise the vulnerable bank. Working with the landowner, a water control hatch and spillway has been installed to allow water to feed an adjacent channel called the Black Dyke and prevent the Itchen Navigation from flooding its banks here in the future. A new footpath surface has been laid on top of the bank, preserving the popular walking route.
Allbrook before and after the work by Dennis Bright.
After many months of work, the improved footpath is now open again to the public. After cutting the ribbon to officially open the footpath, Chris Huhne MP, who lives locally to the site, commented that the Itchen Navigation is an asset to local communities in Eastleigh, Winchester and Southampton and that he was looking forward to going on a run up the new footpath in the coming week.
Debbie Tann, Chief Executive for HIWWT said: "The completion of the bank restoration works at Allbrook marks the end of the first year of three years of engineering work being undertaken by the Itchen Navigation Heritage Trail Project. The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust is proud to be leading this flagship project on behalf of all the project partners and funders."
This year, works are due to be carried out at Shawford, Brambridge and Otterbourne. More information can be found on the project website: http://www.itchennavigation.org.uk/
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Notes to Editors
For further information please contact:
Ali Morse, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust Itchen Navigation Project Manager, on 01489 774415, email: AliM@hwt.org.uk; website: http://www.hwt.org.uk/
Samantha G, Heritage Lottery Fund Press Office, on: 020 7591 6033, email: samanthag@hlf.org.uk; website: http://www.hlf.org.uk/
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust strives to create a better future for wildlife and wild places in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. It is the leading wildlife charity in the counties of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, and is part of a nationwide network of 47 local charities. We work together to create a better future for wildlife and wild places in the UK. With the support of our 27, 000 members, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Trust is taking effective action to protect our natural heritage, helping it to flourish again. Find out more at www.hwt.org.uk
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) enables communities to celebrate, look after and learn more about our diverse heritage. From our great museums and historic buildings to local parks and beauty spots or recording and celebrating traditions, customs and history, HLF grants open up our nation's heritage for everyone to enjoy. We have supported more than 15,000 projects, allocating over £3 billion across the UK.
