Norfolk Coast AONB Partnership has been awarded £855,400 for its "Norfolk’s Two Chalk Rivers–Restored, Revitalised, Resilient" project as part of the government's Green Recovery Challenge Fund.
It is one of 90 projects across England that will receive funding through the second round of the £80 million Green Recovery Challenge Fund which will help to accelerate the implementation of nature-based projects across England,
The Fund builds on the Prime Minister’s 10 Point Plan to kick-start nature recovery and tackle climate change, helping the nation build back greener from the pandemic.
James has welcomed the announcement that the Norfolk Two Chalk Rivers Project will receive the funding to help restore the River Hun in North West Norfolk - one of England's precious chalk streams - and the River Stiffkey . The River Hun flows from its source in Hunstanton Park to Holme Dune National Nature Reserve. The Norfolk Rivers Trust (NRT) has said that while wildlife abounds in the surrounding area with a profusion of birdlife, the river itself has been degraded by centuries of modification and would benefit considerably from ecological restoration work.
Under the projects the NCP in partnership with the Norfolk Rivers Trust will be delivering this ambitious project to restore 12 miles of the rivers Hun and Stiffkey along with the provision of a comprehensive community programme. As experts in river and catchment restoration, NRT will deliver the capital works and NCP will deliver project management, administration, interpretation, a community programme and co-ordinate the volunteers.
James said: "This Green Recovery Challenge funding will enable an ambitious project to protect and enhance two of Norfolk's precious chalk streams. As part of the scheme, there will also be as strong community focus with Kickstart opportunities for young people at risk of long term unemployment as well as volunteering opportunities. With the successful river Nar restoration work and Anglian Water's commitment to improvements to the river Gaywood these natural assets are getting more of the focus they deserve."
James is a Vice-Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Chalk Streams and has been campaigning to restore these precious streams, tackle sewage overflows by water companies into chalk streams, and increase investment on restoration projects such as that on the River Nar.
