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The Stratford Riverside Project is a partnership between Stratford on Avon District Council and Stratford Town Trust. £1.5 m of grant funding has been secured from the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership via the government's Getting Building Fund giving Stratford a special opportunity to create new leisure and economic opportunities, reduce congestion, and improve air quality.

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LATEST NEWS:

31/03/23 The Lench Meadows Independent Review

Following concerns raised by local Facebook group, Friends of the Lench Meadows, Stratford Town Trust commissioned Hydrock, a Land Contamination specialist,  to carry out a post project review. The Trust are extremely reassured that  in their expert view,  Hydrock consider there is  a minimal risk to the public accessing the Lench Meadows. Nonetheless, they also identify that across the project mistakes were made and there are lessons to be learned. The Trust acknowledges this, and Stratford District Council have been informed.

Hydrock were asked to review:

• The remediation action taken following the discovery of asbestos containing materials and, in their opinion, any immediate or future risk to the public.

• Earthworks and materials management process relating to the  reuse of excavated materials around the site to create new wildlife habitats and a new pathway;  and removal of surface vegetation in some areas to remove dominant species and enable planting.

Their findings confirm that the work conducted was reasonable and proportionate with minimal potential for resulting contamination. The consultant says  that initial ground investigation work to understand the former landfill site was completed to a reasonable standard. Movement of earth as part of the  project led to the discovery of some asbestos containing materials and Hydrock were able to confirm that the remediation works that  dealt with this were appropriate, in line with recommendations and identify little potential for ongoing contamination risks.

Separately, the report does identify some faults in the project process. Specifically in the failure to correctly record the movement of soil  and  a misunderstanding on the part of the main contractor of the industry code of practice. In Hydrock’s view this failure to comply with the code of practice is serious but presents, “a minimal risk to the public from contaminated materials placed or disturbed during the project and in its completed state.”

The Trust on behalf of the project is happy to comply with the three recommendations made:

1. That an area on the smaller mound to the east is subject to a further hand pick to remove near surface inappropriate materials (glass, half bricks and brick fragments) and the area is dressed in appropriate clean soils.

2. That an airborne monitoring assessment is undertaken to indicate any asbestos fibre release from the ground. The consultant says, “Whilst I think it is highly unlikely that any fibres will be detected this can provide further reassurance that the work undertaken is satisfactory and the site is considered suitable for use.”  

3. That Stratford-on-Avon District Council  provides Hydrock’s findings and the background information which supports it to the Environment Agency.

Stratford Town Trust will work with SDC to action the recommendations  and have confirmation that SDC have  already taken steps to refer the matter to the Environment Agency as the enforcement authority. Sara Aspley, CEO Stratford Town Trust says  “We genuinely understand the concerns felt by members of the public regarding safety at The Lench Meadows and we hope that the findings of the independent review provides reassurance.   The ongoing safety of the public is of paramount importance and the area is regularly inspected by SDC and STT staff with all volunteering activity supported by all necessary Health and Safety compliance”.

Tony Jackson, Chair of Trustees says “We recognise the value of commissioning this independent report, we are reassured by the findings and are happy to act on all of the recommendations. Stratford Town Trust remain committed to achieving Local Nature Reserve status for the Lench Meadows as a space in nature for the local community to enjoy for generations to come.”

Read the Background Briefing and Summary Findings here

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Environmental considerations

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Working closely with Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, a key pillar of the project is to protect, restore and enhance the area's rich biodiversity. By connecting the riverside from the north at Fisherman's Car Park to the south at Lucy's Mill, Stratford will have a natural green leisure corridor that will help improve the health and quality of life today and for future

generations. You can read a statement from Warwickshire Wildlife Trust and Middlemarch Environmental click on the button below. 

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Consultation

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The initial concept designs were made available for public consultation between 23 November 2020 and 31 March 2021. We received 515 responses directly from the public. Key stakeholders, local groups, organisations and businesses were invited to feedback separately. A robust methodology applied to ensure that all responses were fairly considered. The analysis was undertaken by the Performance, Consultation and Insight Unit from Stratford-on-Avon District Council. Full details of how this was carried out along with the responses are included in the consultation analysis report.