Gainsborough residents and visitors will soon be able to experience an uninterrupted riverside walk, stretching from the village of Morton right the way to the historic Trent Bridge.
Work to acquire the land which will enable the extension of the walk has now been completed, and development is set to begin at the end of April, with the expectation of being completed by September this year.
The project is being delivered by local housing association, Acis Group, following a successful planning application in late summer of last year, with the specific work on the land being undertaken by the construction company, Vistry.
Mark Jones, Director of Property Services for Acis Group, said: “We are excited for this work to begin and for people to use this walkway.
“This is enhancing 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 walk will be just short of two miles.
West Lindsey District Council Assistant Director of Planning and Regeneration, Sally Grindrod-Smith, said: “As a council, we have been passionately behind this project from day one. Improving pedestrian and cycling connectivity along the Riverside and to other parts of Gainsborough is part of our long term vision for a green and accessible town.
“By connecting the town in this way, we continue to work on our ambitious plans for the town, continuing to strengthen the position of Gainsborough being an exciting place to live, work and visit.”
Pat Doody, Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “It’s very rewarding to see the completion of this key public realm investment for Gainsborough at a time when our open spaces are so important to our wellbeing.
“This project is just one element of a wider regeneration plan for the town supported by the LEP that has included transport modelling, town centre living and strategic land acquisition.”
The development of the walk, funded with a contribution from the Greater Lincolnshire LEP Single Local Growth Fund and Council resources, follows further investment in the town. Last year it was announced that local company Acis Group intends to invest £20 million into developing new homes along the riverfront, working with the council, to regenerate land off Bowling Green Road.
138 new homes for rent and sale are scheduled to be developed, with the walkway connecting to the Town Centre being one of the major benefits of living in one of the new homes.
