Northampton’s flagship marina is being officially launched today by Environment Agency Chairman Lord Chris Smith.

Lord Smith will be joined by dignitaries from the organisations which helped to develop and fund the creation of the £2.5-million facility, including WNDC.

Andy Baxendale, Environment Agency Area Manager (Northern), said: “We are delighted to have been able to work with our partners to complete this exciting project which will provide a navigation hub for Northampton, the primary gateway to the Nene Valley.

“The moorings will attract boaters using the Grand Union Canal to travel towards the Fens of East Anglia and should form the basis of a bright future forNorthampton’s waterside area.”

The Environment Agency constructed the marina on behalf of the Becket’s Park Partnership on land donated by Northampton Borough Council. The Partnership is made up of the six funding organisations, including WNDC which provided £1.8m towards the cost of the new marina.

WNDC’s Chairman John Markham said: “The new marina is a crucial step in the long term renaissance of Northampton’s waterside. Working with the local authorities, WNDC is transforming disused land along the River Nene in the Enterprise Zone, creating new places for people to live and work. It is part of an exciting plan to attract new jobs and investment to the town.”

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

Northampton marina offers 80 moorings, six of which are for residential use. The remaining 74 berths are for short-term visitors and pleasure craft requiring long-term leases.

There are plans for a major redevelopment of the wider waterside area, including new homes and offices. In addition, later phases of the Becket’s Park project may include new landscaping, lighting, cafés and restaurants to provide a busy, exciting link between the town centre and the waterside.

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