Ambitious £500,000 plans to regenerate the River Severn in Shrewsbury are being delayed – as no funding can be sought until the unitary authority debate is resolved.
The plans, which include creating river taxis and pontoons, building new wildlife areas for swans and ducks, improving navigation and walkways along the river and creating a Darwin Trail, are due to be formally unveiled in a draft consultant’s report later this week. The document will set out plans for improvements to the river area up until 2020.
But Graham Galliers, chairman of the Shrewsbury River Regeneration Partnership, told the Chronicle no funding would be sought until the future of the local authorities in the town was determined.
The news comes after residents and representatives of current river users spoke out about their concern over the plans following a public meeting last week.
The Shrewsbury River Journey draft consultation report is set to be published on Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council’s website by Friday and will outline the proposals for improving the river for residents and visitors to the town.
The borough council originally included plans for the river in a £1.8 million budget for tourist areas including Darwin celebrations revealed last summer. But with the new unitary authority due to be introduced in 2009 it is not known which projects will be honoured.
Mr Galliers said: “We have lots of long-term ambitions but we will need to seek funding to do it.
“We won’t be able to approach any council for funding until the unitary issue is sorted out.”
Nick Taylor, assistant director for economy and strategy at the county council, said officers would need to discuss potential river projects with Advantage West Midlands and the Environment Agency before a decision on funding could be made.
Residents will have three weeks to comment on the proposals, which can be seen by visiting www.shrewsbury.gov.uk