Purpose

To accept £216,959 grant funding from WECA to add new public realm on the north bank of the River Avon following removal of an old pipe bridge to the west of Windsor Bridge. It will be delivered as part of the Bath River Line project together with similar interventions along the route. Phase 1 of the Bath River Line project will deliver an initial suite of key strategic interventions in the west of Bath, between Newbridge and Bath Quays in the city centre. The Bath River Line is a key strategic green infrastructure project which aims to address directly the Climate and Ecological Emergency through enhancing and expanding existing green spaces in the city, enabling active travel and connecting communities to their natural environment.

Decision

To accept £216,959 WECA Investment Fund grant and thereby increase the approved capital budget for Bath River Line for delivery of green infrastructure on the north bank of the River Avon following removal of an old pipe bridge. At the same time, £216,959 capital budget funded by corporate borrowing and previously added to the programme for Bath Western Riverside Phase 2 will be transferred into Capital Contingency.

Alternative options considered

We could do nothing but this option allows use of grant funding and to include the scheme within the Bath River Line project, giving the opportunity for design and construction to be integrated with other proposals for this green infrastructure.