Park lovers will soon be able to enjoy a relaxing walk along the River Nene as the latest phase of improvements to the promenade in Becket’s Park is completed. Northampton Borough Council is investing almost £300,000 in the improvements, This includes almost £100,000 in developer contributions to infrastructure secured by West Northamptonshire Development Corporation.

Park goers will be able to walk along the new resurfaced footpath or enjoy watching the world go by on one of the new park benches. The project will also see new bins and lighting added to the park, making it the perfect place to sit and relax watching the wildlife in the Nene or the boats using the marina.

These improvements come at an exciting time for Northampton’s riverside, with a proposal for a waterside enterprise zone currently being considered by government. The enterprise zone would encourage private sector investment and potentially support the creation of over 13,000 new jobs.

Over the last few years the riverside has been transformed with a new 80-berth marina, public art and improvements to the pathways running from Sixfields to Midsummer Meadow. As part of the continuing improvements, the final section of the riverside walk has been completed just in time for the Riverside Festival this weekend.

Councillor Tim Hadland, Northampton Borough Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and enterprise said: “For years the Nene has been one of our town’s hidden treasures. But more and more people are discovering that the river is the perfect place to relax thanks to the new marina and improvements along the riverside from Sixfields to Midsummer Meadows.

“With a number of major new developments planned on the south bank of the river, the walk will no doubt become an easy and attractive pedestrian link to the town centre.”

Roger Mendonca, Chief Operating Officer at WNDC said: “Recent improvements like the riverside walk are a sign of things to come for Northampton’s waterside. Using our investment and development powers, we’re aiming to transform derelict land along the riverfront into a leading destination for local people to live and work.”

The footpath will reopen on Wednesday 3 August in time for the Riverside Festival, a free family event celebrating the past, present and future of the River Nene. Some final improvements will be made before the end of the year when work on the marina is completed.

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4. Bridging the gap at Northampton’s marina
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