West Midlands volunteers will create cleaner waters
03 June 2011
This week, a new initiative that aims to empower communities to improve their local waterways will begin its work.
Keep Britain Tidy’s WatersideCare programme is led by a partnership of the Environment Agency, Severn Trent Water and British Waterways.
On Saturday, June 4, WatersideCare will carry out its first activity, as the River Anker in Nuneaton town centre gets a tidy up, in an initiative led by the town’s MP Marcus Jones.
The clean-up will involve local scouts (11th Nuneaton Weddington Explorers), McDonald’s, North Warwickshire and Hinckley College, the Angling Trust and various other community groups.
WatersideCare project officer Chris Redstall said: ‘This is a fantastic start for WatersideCare and we are delighted to be working with so many businesses and community organisations.
‘Waterways are vital green spaces that are home to a wealth of wildlife and offer valuable spaces for people to relax and enjoy.
‘The waterways across the West Midlands are no exception, but all too often these are places that also suffer from rubbish dumping, antisocial behaviour and poor water quality.
‘WatersideCare is all about getting everyone to love where they live and value their local environment.’
Nuneaton MP Marcus Jones said: ‘I am delighted to see so many organisations, companies and community groups coming together to clean up our river.
‘For too long, the river has not always been respected in the way it should be. I hope that involving the local community in this project will not only improve the environment in and around the river, but will also highlight to the wider community the asset and the environmental sustainability the river brings to Nuneaton – in the hope that people will think twice before disposing of litter and refuse in our river.’
Mark Owen, spokesperson, The Angling Trust: ” As well as cleaning up litter this event is an important step in raising awareness of an important asset that Nuneaton has – The river Anker.
“Taken care of properly the Anker will teem with wildlife for all to watch and enjoy, anglers are proud to take part in this event which will not only help the situation in Nuneaton but areas downstream as far as Tamworth.
“This kind of work is commonly carried out by anglers across the country but is largely unseen by the rest of the community as it takes place in remote locations and we welcome this opportunity to work with other sectors in Nuneaton.”
WatersideCare is planning other events across the West Midlands, including Earlswood, Perry Common and Druid’s Heath. For details of these and other forthcoming events, please contact the WatersideCare project officer Chris Redstall on 07918 616907.