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Awards for Stourport regeneration
REGENERATION work in Stourport has been recognised with several prestigious awards.
British Waterways and Stourport Forward Market Towns Initiative have celebrated scooping top honours at this year's Waterways Renaissance Awards, run by The Waterways Trust and British Urban Regeneration Association.
British Waterways won the historic environment category for its restoration of the buildings and canal structures at Stourport Basins.
British Waterways was also awarded the runner-up prize for the Smethwick Summit canal corridor canal improvement project.
In the partnership category the runner-up prize was awarded to Stourport Forward and British Waterways, for the Market Town's Initiative programme.
This has enabled many projects to take place that have resulted in the town's regeneration, particularly stemming from the canal basins and riverside.
The outstanding achievement award was given to Stourport Forward and British Waterways for the transformation of the canal town.
Stourport Forward was initially formed to deliver and manage the four-year regeneration programme and, by taking on the role of accountable body, British Waterways enabled this £4 million regeneration scheme to go ahead.
Tony Harvey, British Waterways West Midlands general manager, said: "We're absolutely thrilled with the awards that have been received.
"It's a fantastic achievement for all those who've been involved with the waterways regeneration and the restoration of Stourport.
Pauline Annis, a director of Stourport Forward, said: "Stourport, until recently, was the sleeping beauty of the canals network, hidden away and forgotten.
"It has taken a financial kiss' from Advantage West Midlands, Heritage Lottery and British Waterways to reawaken her and restore her former glories."
Philip Roberts, partnerships director at Advantage West Midlands, said: "Many small towns are faced with rundown buildings as reminders of former industry.
"This project in Stourport looked at such an area as part of the town's heritage and as an opportunity to increase tourism and bring a wide range of benefits to business and the community."
Wyre Forest District Council is one of the key partners in Stourport Forward, and has been involved in the project since the beginning.
Councillor Stephen Clee, the council's cabinet member for planning, regeneration and prosperity, said: "This award is due recognition and the culmination of many years of hard work put in by the council and its various partners.
"We are delighted to have played our part. It means that Stourport can be very positive about the future challenges and the significant opportunities that we're addressing.
The prize winners were announced in a ceremony at the Imperial War Museum North in Manchester on Wednesday, March 12.
12:36pm Wednesday 26th March 2008
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