ALSF Cleveland project
Major government boost for Cotswold Water Park
A substantial award from the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund has enabled large scale works to begin at Cleveland Lakes, near Ashton Keynes in November 2007.
In an area best known for gravel lorries and heavy machinery, visitors will soon be able to access tranquil paths, a stunning artist designed bird hide, and public art installations along the route.
The project will be completed in March 2008, resulting in footpath and signage improvements, and more significantly 40 acres of prime wetland habitat for wildlife, including large areas of reedbeds. which are stunning places for wildlife such as bittern, otters, water voles and reed bunting.
Cleveland Lakes project
Recently the challenge of having to spend £400,000 in six months became a reality as Natural England awarded the Cotswold Water Park Society a substantial grant from the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund to improve public access, and create vast new wildlife habitats in the Cotswold Water Park.
The grant is one of the largest ever given in the region, and this exciting project will provide fantastic benefits for locals and visitors alike.
Improvements include over two kilometres of new footpath, a sculpture trail along a section of Sustrans Route 45, a stunning artist designed bird hide and over 40 acres of new reedbeds and other wetland habitats, between Ashton Keynes and South Cerney.
Cleveland Lakes was purchased by the CWP Society in 2003 with the aim of developing the site for nature conservation, public access and paddle sports (rowing, canoeing and dragon boat racing). It has been a long haul from the purchase of the site to the present, and now the real work has truly begun.
To check progress on the whole project visit Jo's Blog from the ALSF Project Officer, Jo Sayers.
