'Northampton Marina' to be in place within 12 months

12.00.00am GMT Wed 10th Mar 2010

Trini and Richard mark the start of the works with representatives from WNDC, Northants County Council and Northants Enterprise Ltd.

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."

Trini enjoys flinging leaves over Cabinet colleague, Richard, at the dig

ENDS