Representatives from local authorities, the Environment Agency, the Wildlife Trust and the Cam Conservancy have joined forces with the charities to create an overarching vision for the world-famous waterway and an action plan that will help to protect its valuable features and unlock funding for future projects and improvements.
The stretch of river being assessed by the group extends from Saffron Walden to where the Cam joins the Great Ouse just south of Ely. For the purposes of the study the Cam has been divided into five parts:
- The upper river, starting in Saffron Walden and stretching to Byron’s Pool
- The River Cam through the City from Byron’s Pool to Baits Bite lock
- The lower Cam from Baits Bite lock to Pope’s Corner
- The Bourn and Bin Brooks
- The River Rhee and the Granta – the Cam’s two main tributaries.
Some 50 organisations will come together in Cambridge this Saturday (28 September) to provide input to the project. They will discuss:
- The historic / built environment plus development and transport pressures along the river
- Ecology, fish and the local landscape
- Recreation, tourism and access
- Pollution, river flow (abstraction / flood) and river restoration.
Local bodies, groups and associations with an active interest in the river are welcome to nominate a delegate to attend the event by using the “Contact us” link at the bottom of the project’s web page http://cambridgeppf.org/river/
Professor Peter Landshoff, Chairman of CambridgePPF’s planning committee, said: “When people think of Cambridge one of the first things they think of is the Cam. The river has always been fundamental to the success of the city – bringing in trade and shaping the local environment. It’s also a major leisure amenity for tourists and residents. We believe this important asset and the areas adjacent to it need to be managed as such. By bringing together a range of stakeholder groups we hope to achieve this, creating a strategy and a plan of action that will feed into the local planning process and maximise the use of this important resource for the benefit of everyone that lives, works and visits the city – now and in the future.”
About Cambridge Past, Present and Future (CambridgePPF)
Founded as Cambridge Preservation Society in 1928, CambridgePPF is a registered charity campaigning to keep Cambridge and its surroundings special by positively influencing planning developments, delivering environmental education and managing the green spaces and historic buildings in its care. Its diverse property portfolio includes Wandlebury Country Park and its Iron Age Ring; Coton Countryside Reserve; Barnwell Leper Chapel; Bourn Windmill plus various wildlife sites and historic buildings. Key achievements include protecting sites such as Grantchester Meadows, the Gog Magog Hills and Wandlebury Estate from development and helping to establish the Cambridge Green Belt in the 1960s. CambridgePPF has a growing membership, which makes a vital contribution to the cost of conserving, managing and developing its sites. With its HQ at Wandlebury, CambridgePPF has a mix of busy full and part-time staff and is run by a Board of Trustees together with Advisory Committees staffed by dedicated volunteers. For more information about CambridgePPF and the benefits of membership: www.cambridgeppf.org
About The Cam Valley Forum
The Cam Valley Forum is a voluntary group, established in 2001, which works to protect and improve the environment of the River Cam and its tributaries. Members comprise individuals and affiliated organisations including Abington RiverCare; Cam Sailing Club; Cambridge Trout Club; Cambridgeshire Mammal Group; Camrowers; Duxford Parish Council; Friends of the River Shep; Hobson’s Conduit Trust; Linton Parish Council; River Mel Restoration Group and Waterbeach Angling Club. For more information go to: www.colc.co.uk/cambridge/cam.valley.forum/
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