Regent’s Canal will celebrate its 200th birthday in style as St. Peter’s community comes together to transform its unloved spaces.
The Canal and River Trust’s programme aims to set up projects with volunteers both locally and from deprived communities to teach them more about preserving wildlife and improve their well-being with cleaner spaces to encourage more canal-side walkers and cyclists.
“We will aim to transfer perceptions of the canal, increase biodiversity and make it easier for local people to gain the benefits of life by water” said Sarah Rudy, a spokesperson for the Trust.
The programme aims to have a lasting impact on neighbouring communities by focusing on four themes: wildlife and greening, learning and skills, place and culture, and heritage.
“The end result will be a series of improved spaces which are brought to life with cultural and community activities,” Ms Rudy added.
The transformation also hopes to benefit current canal-side businesses like the Narrow Boat pub, with Regent’s Canal playing a key role in the regeneration of the area.
“Waterside locations are a very attractive prospect to developers as their land values tend to be higher,” said Ms Rudy.
These celebrations across the coming months will focus on the canal’s heritage as well as highlighting the role it has played in the regeneration of the area.
“The challenge will be getting access to these groups and encouraging them to commit. When seeking funding, we will have to ensure we set aside enough budget for this engagement work,” she said.
MA Interactive Journalism student with media experience having worked (3-years) at Al Arabiya news network as a presenter and writer/reporter.
Bi-lingual (Arabic and English).