Communities in Monmouthshire are being asked for suggestions on making the most of the county’s wonderful rivers and waterways.
The quality of the numerous rivers in Monmouthshire has long been acknowledged. The River Wye, for example, is so good it was voted the best river in England and Wales by the Our Rivers campaign. The River Usk, though not quite scaling these heights, is still a beautiful stretch of water, widely acclaimed by game anglers for the quality of its salmon and trout fishing. Aside from these two main watercourses are numerous smaller tributaries such as the Monnow, Trothy and Olway Brook. Monmouthshire can also boast the much loved Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal which celebrates its 200th anniversary next year as well as other stillwaters such as the 434 acre Llandegfedd Reservoir.
Approximately £80,000 is available through Monmouthshire County Council’s Welcome Monmouthshire project under the Rural Development Plan for Wales to help make more of the county’s rivers through improved interpretation, signage and access.
Welcome Monmouthshire Project Manager, Nicola Smith said: “this project aims to reconnect Monmouthshire communities and businesses with their rivers and waterways, and help them realise the maximum potential year round benefits from them for visitors and residents”.
Organisations or individuals wishing to submit proposals should contact Monmouthshire County Council’s Welcome Monmouthshire Project Officer Mark Lloyd on 01633 644865 or email [email protected] by Friday, 26th August 2011. Assessment of proposals will be through the submission of a short application form. Priority will be given to projects with a high level of community support and the potential to enhance visitors’ experience of the destination. Importance will also be placed on attainable and affordable ideas that set out to achieve maximum potential benefit.
