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| Volume 3, Number 10 - Winter 1997 | |
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Sankey NOW
So what is Sankey NOW? Sankey NOW is a River Valley initiative, launched in October 1995, one of 7 River Valley Initiatives (RVIs) which are the local partnership elements of the Mersey Basin Campaign. The Mersey Basin Campaign is a 25 year partnership which unites local authorities, businesses, Government sponsored agencies, and voluntary organisations to deliver water quality improvements and waterside regeneration throughout the river systems of the Basin. The main aim of the initiative is to develop a strategic approach and achieve co-ordinated improvements in the whole of the Sankey Brook catchment over the decade to 2005, concentrating on water quality and riverside improvements. This is to be achieved by building a partnership between local authorities, local businesses, voluntary organisations, the local community, farmers, occupiers and public bodies. Where is the Sankey Catchment? The Sankey Brook and its tributaries drain an area of around 360 km. of highly developed urban and industrial land. The catchment area has a population of over 250,000 people and lies within the boundaries of five local authorities, St Helens, Warrington, Wigan, Knowsley and West Lancashire. The streams of the Sankey catchment have been amongst the most polluted on the Mersey. Industrial and domestic waste, run-off from contaminated land and agricultural pollution have badly affected water quality and the quality of land adjacent to streams, rivers and the Sankey Canal. The Future? Sankey NOW RVI, is proving to be a success story in regenerating the watercourse due to the support and enthusiasm of its partners such as SCARS, Local Authorities, local businesses, industry and local communities. A European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) application has also been submitted on behalf of Sankey NOW and if successful will enable substantial improvement works to take place throughout the catchment. Lets keep our fingers crossed!! For more information on Sankey NOW please contact: GILL MALTBY - Sankey NOW RVI Co-ordinator Sankey NOW Conservation Asset Register The Sankey catchment has long suffered abuse as a result of urban and industrial development. The extent of abuse has meant that the watercourses draining the area have been so extensively damaged that their quality as wildlife habitats is very poor. As so much attention is being given to revitalisation of the area with new developments, the role of the river corridor is very important. Funding from the Environment Agency has allowed Sankey NOW to carry out this detailed assessment of the catchment, focusing on potential improvement areas, and identifying suitable projects to be undertaken by Sankey NOW. The overall objective is to retain or create natural watercourses within open, continuous water corridors, which are as wide as possible with a diverse range of habitats and physical features for people and wild life. Within the project remit there are two main areas of focus:
Sankey NOW has employed TEP (The Environment Practice) based in Warrington to carry out the survey and compile the Conservation Asset Register of the Sankey Catchment. TEP started work on the project in August 1997, carrying out over 100 River Habit Surveys (RHS). Landscape assessments were also carried out, focusing on the local landscape features. Community consultation is also taking place allowing interested parties a chance to voice their concerns and desires for the catchment. TEP will complete their assessments in February 1998 when they will provide Sankey NOW with a database of information with which to create a project portfolio. The Asset Register will help Sankey NOW to achieve its aims and objective to the year 200, whilst focusing on its main areas of activity.
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Gill Maltby, SCARS executive member and Co-ordinator of Sankey NOW fills in the background to this important initiative.