VIDEO: ‘Fantastic’ Horsham Riverside Walk project gets £37,000 funding boost

Horsham Town Community Partnership (HTCP) was awarded the money from the waste management company’s Biffa Award scheme, which gives grants to community and environmental projects across the UK.

The Riverside Walk Enhancement Project is hoping to improve the 12.5 mile walk around the town through improving the paths, and providing better signage, information, and benches.

The walk follows the River Arun and other water courses surrounding Horsham.

David Searle, project manager at HTCP, said: “The provision of information boards showing aspects of wildlife will complement educational needs and encourage young people to take an interest in this little known wonderful resource.

“The work on the Riverside Walk will create a fantastic amenity for residents and visitors to Horsham, maintaining green open space for community use.”

The HTCP would install interpretation boards showing information on the route as well as putting in all-weather walking surfaces wherever possible.

HTCP is working with Horsham District Council (HDC) on the project, and chair of the partnership, Jane Apostolou, praised the work of the dedicated project team.

A spokesperson for HDC said: “We are delighted to hear that this funding has been received after everyone, including Horsham District Council, has worked exceptionally hard on this project.”

Gillian French, Biffa Award programme manager, added: “We’re pleased to support projects like the Horsham Riverside Walk Enhancement project. The project will heighten the experience of the users and also help conserve the surrounding area.”

Since 1997, the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts (RSWT) has been awarding grants to environmental and community projects under the fund name Biffa Award.

The fund administers money donated by Biffa as it is allowed to donate a small percentage of its tax lability to projects working to improve communities living within the vicinity of landfill sites.

To date, Biffa Award has awarded grants totalling more than £135 million to thousands of worthwhile projects. For more information visit www.biffa-award.org

Meanwhile the community partnership also won the ‘Best Establishing Project’ award in the Royal Horticultural Society ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood Awards.

The awards, which recognise the work of community projects transforming their local area and immediate environment, are held in conjunction with South and South East in Bloom, and Southern Water.

The Riverside Walk is one of HTCP’s three projects, along with the Horsham District Neighbourhood Watch, and Horsham Young Persons Council.

The project is split up into several phases, and HTCP have been looking to secure volunteers and grant funding, holding several exhibitions at Swan Walk shopping centre and Warnham Nature Reserve in March to discuss the project with members of the public.

To get involved with the HTCP visit their website at http://horshamtowncommunitypartnership.btck.co.uk