The Stourport Forward Market Towns Programme is a 3 year regeneration programme. Grants are awarded towards the cost of projects which are mainly delivered by partner agencies and all projects are monitored closely by Stourport Forward. Up to £616,000 has been made available by Advantage West Midlands who fund and monitor the programme and this is projected to generate an additional £3.4 million of investment in the town through match funding to the projects. By taking on the role of Accountable Body (including employing the Programme Manager and part –time Project Administrator) British Waterways enabled this £4 million regeneration scheme to go ahead. Stourport Forward Limited is a Company Limited by Guarantee which was initially created to deliver and manage the Market Towns Programme. Stourport Forward board members were elected from the Stourport Forward Partnership (which consists of representatives from local groups) in addition to an elected representative of Wyre Forest District Council and the Accountable Body. Work is already underway to consider the future work and role of Stourport Forward once the Market Towns programme funding ends in March 2008.

The three major projects within the Stourport Forward programme are:

• The Restoration of Stourport Canal Basins (British Waterways). This project is the cornerstone of the regeneration programme and is designed to reinvigorate tourism within the town. A Stourport Forward grant of £256,000 has been awarded towards the overall project cost of £3.2 million. Following major restoration and enhancement work to the basins area, including buildings and structures, the site will be relaunched as a major tourist attraction with site interpretation and events and will provide another focus for leisure and recreation, leading to a projected increase of around 225,000 new visitors and annual visitor spend of £1.7 million per annum and helping to create or secure jobs. To find out more click here.

•  Revitalisation of the Sandy Lane Industrial Estate (British Business Parks) This project has already improved the entrance to the site and inserted a new section of footpath along Sandy Lane. Further work is planned to upgrade some roads (which will then be adopted by Worcestershire County Council). A grant scheme is available for businesses located on the estate. The project will help to attract new businesses to the area and encourage existing businesses to expand, helping to create and safeguard jobs. British Business Parks manage the project in partnership with the Sandy Lane Steering Group (a partnership of Worcestershire County Council, Wyre Forest District Council, Advantage West Midlands, Sandy Lane Business Association and Stourport Forward). A Stourport Forward grant of £112,900 has been allocated to the project.

•  Stourport Pride Study (Wyre Forest District Council) This partnership project, which received a Stourport Forward grant of £15,000, has been led by Wyre Forest District Council and resulted in the production of the Stourport Pride Report which contains detailed design guidance for the implementation of public realm improvements within key areas of the town. Following a public consultation period the study was formally adopted by Wyre Forest District Council in November 2006. Two projects have been developed by Wyre Forest District Council and have been heavily influenced by the report, firstly the Bridge Street Enhancement Project, which was awarded a £30,000 grant from Stourport Forward and will provide new paving, lighting and street furniture for Bridge Street. A second project is currently being developed to deliver further improvements. To read the Stourport Pride Study click here.

Beyond the three main projects Stourport Forward also has awarded a number of smaller grants to projects and is developing new projects for 2007/8. Stourport Forward is also leading the delivery of the Better Welcome Programme . Please follow the links to find out more information.

If you would like any further information about the Stourport Forward programme please contact Liz Durnell, Programme Manager at Liz.Durnell@britishwaterways.co.uk or telephone 01827 252233.