Chippenham Avon Project Masterplan Consultation document

The Chippenham Avon Project will be delivered in areas. The early phases will deliver changes to the critical flood mitigation infrastructure and can be brought forward sooner as funding streams are likely to be more accessible compared to other phases, as other phases will rely on the identification of additional funding sources.

The following section sets out the area-based development principles that will inform the delivery of the Chippenham Avon Project.

These are indicative, and the schemes that are delivered may vary due to the on-site conditions and available funding. However, these place specific development principles provide a benchmark against which alternative proposals will be evaluated. If they fail to deliver the environmental and community benefits identified, then they may be refused.

The ideas within the following sections are from the community themselves and have been drawn from existing policies in the emerging Neighbourhood Plan, feedback from the One Plan and also dedicated workshops and discussions with local representatives.

Reach one

Reach one extends directly north towards the town centre adjacent to the Millennium Wall and the ARC climbing centre. The aim along this reach is to make better use of the footpaths throughout this area, providing improved connectivity to this part of Chippenham and the climbing centre.

The masterplan aims to introduce permeable routes through the area with the implementation of boardwalks and public parklands with a network of trails to improve access and encourage outdoor activity.

Features such as raised boardwalks crisscrossing a naturalised wetland space are proposed. This would allow public access at times of high river flows in the downstream Avon Valley Walk area.

Acknowledging potential broader development in this identified reach, the area to the east side of this section of the river may be suitable for further development in the future. As such, the masterplan aims to create a permeable space that will facilitate access from this area through to the town centre. Sustainable proposals will encourage increased use of this area whilst enhancing the ecological capabilities of the river and riverside.

The Millenium Wall also provides an opportunity for enhancement of both the commemorative structure and the area around it. As this is adjacent to existing cycle routes, suitable improvements would aid in encouraging movement and footfall throughout this area and towards the main town centre area.

Reach two

Gladstone Bridge to Town Bridge

Reach two extends between Gladstone Road and the High Street Bridge. This stretch of the river features the radial gate and weir, both of which are of significant importance for the broader enhancement of the River Avon in Chippenham.

Works undertaken alongside the Environment Agency have identified the need for this river infrastructure to be replaced or removed with immediate effect to ensure no further issues arise from the artificially raised water level and malfunctioning radial gate. To ensure this has no negative impact on the watercourse or ecological assets in this area, works will maintain suitable mitigation measures, also ensuring the works are not of detriment to the broader environment.

Further options are also to be considered, including features such as exposed river walls along the riverbank upstream of the radial gate, lowered walkways, modules fitted to river walls seeded with target species, and retrofitting of timber fenders and ledges to trap sediment and seeds. There are a series of potential measures which can be implemented depending on suitability of the site and provision of the appropriate locations, blue and green infrastructure, and viability against the broader aims of the masterplan.

A trial was undertaken to lower the water level to where it would typically reside compared to the artificially high water levels currently in place. Staining in the images included reflects the drop in water level during the lowering trial, with vegetation establishing naturally on the existing wall in cracks within the brickwork.

The replacement of the existing pedestrian bridge proposed along this reach will provide improved connectivity to the town centre and to other foot and cycle paths, bus and train networks leading directly in and out of the central area of the town and main retail areas.

In this reach, there may also be future redevelopment opportunities of buildings adjacent to the river which would contribute to wider enhancements of the river corridor. Buildings along the High Street, close to the Bath Road/High Street Bridge, afront the river and therefore could be improved to make better use of the river corridor and integrate the river with the town centre which is currently underutilised. Addressing the permeability, access, and visual appeal of the buildings adjacent to the river would support the broader outcomes and aims for Chippenham town centre, improving the appeal of the area and river frontage.

Reach three

South of the Olympiad Leisure Centre and Island Park incorporating an area of retail uses to the south of Island Park

Reach three occupies the main section of the river from the High Street through Monkton Park along the rear of the town centre area. In this area, the aims of the redevelopment are to provide better access to the river and use of the park area and Island Park, creating more of a destination for tourism, visitors and residents.

There have been substantial opportunities identified throughout the river corridor that would support increased use of the area. The redevelopment is looking for opportunities to provide better access to the river, and in conjunction with this, improved and increased seating provision is sought to encourage people to enjoy and reconnect with the river which is an underused asset in its current state.

Initial feedback has advocated for less 'urban' terraced seating areas, and as such sympathetic and aesthetically appropriate solutions are being considered. The former Lido is to be considered for potential reinstatement, however this is a more long-term consideration as it has been covered over for many years. In line with the other recreational opportunities in this area, restoration of the former Lido would contribute to creating a destination for activities, visitors and general utilisation of the river as an asset.

The proposed development throughout the river park area will take full advantage of the opportunities present, increasing active travel routes, accommodating improved play provision, facilitating appealing seating areas and increased planting and greening of the park.

There is the potential for an improved plaza area downstream from the Town/High Street Bridge. This would encourage improved use of the area, advocating for the enjoyment of the park for socialising, connectivity, and supporting interactions within the community.

Broader redevelopment within Chippenham town centre would also have a significant impact on this reach of the river. The Emery Gate Shopping Centre provides an opportunity to create a more active river frontage which currently prevents connectivity between the High Street area and the river corridor. Redevelopment of this site, and other opportunities such as the former Wilkinson unit, Tesco unit and Emery Gate car park, could facilitate a significant improvement in the links between the town centre and the river, encouraging a more river facing shopping experience with terraced seating, food and beverage offerings, and an improved public realm by which the river becomes a focal point.

Reach four and five

Reaches four and five extend from the central areas, in Monkton Park, up to the north-east. Works to this area of the river will need to integrate with the proposals from Chippenham Town Council for planning in Monkton Meadow. The renaturalisation of the river will provide additional opportunities along these reaches for planting to create an ecological buffer zone between the river and agricultural land.

There is an opportunity to create a new Public Right of Way (PRoW) on the eastern bank of the river, improving the access and footfall along this section of the river. Expanding the pedestrian routes will integrate the sailing and canoe club and also improve access to this part of the river corridor which appears more restricted and disconnected at present. This will provide additional opportunities for planting along the PRoW to integrate the new pathways within the green setting.

Discussions have taken place for the potential creation of a watersports centre adjacent to reach five. Supporting and providing opportunities for recreational activities would encourage visitors and residents to use the river, also contributing to the maintenance and conservation of the river. From previous research, recreational uses of the river were identified as one of the most common responses to what people would like to see as part of the River Park area redevelopment. Supporting recreational opportunities provides ecological and economic prosperity for the area and can be supported by improved access and connectivity to the town centre.

At the upstream area of reach five there have been discussions around a connection to the Wiltshire and Berkshire Canal, however this has not yet been fully considered or assessed as a viable opportunity.

Consistently throughout the reaches, the development aims to improve connectivity and access. At this section there is the opportunity to connect new pathways for pedestrians and cyclists to the existing cycle route along the former railway line.