The creation of the new Northampton Moorings is almost complete, with construction work underway on the new facilities building, marking the final phase of work before the moorings open in April.

The facilities building’s foundations are already in place and on Tuesday 15 March members of the Becket’s Park Partnership will be on site to help lay a brick to mark this important milestone. When complete, the facilities building will be the only building located on the moorings island and will house the manager’s office, a reception area, and services for boaters including a shower and laundry facilities.

It will be a key part of security for the site, with a large glass frontage offering panoramic views of the moorings. Work on the moorings started over a year ago. From April the facility will offer 80 moorings, of which six will be designated for residential use. The remaining berths will be available for short-term visitors and leisure craft requiring long term leases. There will also be moorings available for operators of commercial leisure boats, such as hire boats and water taxis. Anybody who would like more information about mooring availability or prices should contact the Environment Agency Waterways Team on 01733 464065 or visit www.visitnene.co.uk for further information.

Councillor Trini Crake, Northampton Borough Council’s cabinet member for environment said: “In the last twelve months we have seen our town’s waterfront transformed. It has been fascinating to see the moorings take shape, we started with an underused piece and in just a few months created something interesting and exciting. I think we are now beginning to realise what a wonderful asset the Nene is to local residents and the boating community. I am eager to visit the site again to see the start of what will be the final phase of works.”

Sue Cant, Environment Agency Nene Waterways team leader, said: “Now the footprint for the final stage of construction work has been firmly planted on the island we can see the shape of things to come at this exciting new development. The moorings in Becket’s Park are helping to encourage people back to the river and boaters are already booking spaces. This new hub will encourage the people of Northampton, and visitors to the town, to see the waterfront as an attractive and appealing destination.”

Chris Garden, Director of Regeneration at West Northamptonshire Development Corporation said: “The facilities building marks the final phase of the scheme and it’s pleasing to see work underway. The Becket’s Park moorings are just the start of a new beginning for Northampton’s waterside, as part of our plans to bring new jobs and investment to the area”

The Environment Agency is constructing Northampton Moorings on behalf of the Becket’s Park Partnership. The Partnership is made up of the Environment Agency, Northampton Borough Council, the River Nene Regional Park, Northamptonshire County Council, Northamptonshire Enterprise Limited and West Northamptonshire Development Corporation.

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