'Northampton Marina' to be in place within 12 months

12.00.00am GMT Wed 10th Mar 2010

Work has begun on a £2 million Marina in Becket's Park to open up Northampton's most discarded natural resource - the River Nene.

Lib Dem Borough Councillors Trini Crake and Richard Church were on hand at the turf-cutting ceremony to mark the start of the work, which will see the Marina open in the Spring of 2011.

The scheme, a joint project between Lib Dem-run Northampton Borough Council and the Environment Agency, is set to make much-needed use of our town's riverside location, after years of neglect.

With narrow-boat and stops in nearby Warwickshire at full capacity, the Northampton Marina is expected to generate new interest in the town, and make it a premier boating destination in the years ahead.

Commenting at the start of the works, Lib Dem Planning & Regeneration Spokesperson and Borough Councillor for Kingsthorpe, Richard Church, said:

"The popularity of boating is increasing by 10% a year. A Northampton Marina will stand the test of time."

Lib Dem Environment Spokesperson and Borough Councillor for Boughton Green, Trini Crake, added:

"Northampton has consistently undersold its riverside location.

"A Northampton Marina marks the start of something special - a riverside town, with growing confidence and ambition."

ENDS