Discover the River Ver
Exploring the River Ver will be much easier in future thanks to a grant from the National Lottery. The Countryside Management Service supported the Ver Valley Society to apply for funding to make the project happen.
£49,500 towards the £100,000 cost has been awarded through the Heritage Lottery Fund, with other funding coming from the Ver Valley Society, Hertfordshire County Council, St Albans District Council, Lafarge Environmental Trust, Watling Chase Community Forest, and the Chilterns AONB. In addition a huge amount of volunteer effort has already been contributed from the Ver Valley Society.
The project will create a series of short walks following the River Ver and exploring the countryside around it. In addition, a route running the length of the River from Kensworth Lynch in Beds, extending 17 miles to where the River joins the River Colne in Bricket Wood will be promoted. Leaflets, signage and website will show what walkers will find if they follow these routes and explain more about the river, its history and wildlife.
The project is a partnership with the Ver Valley Society, Countryside Management Service, Herts County Council Rights of Way Unit, St Albans District Council, local groups and the Chilterns Chalk Streams Project.
Andy Webb, Chair of the Ver Valley Society said: “The River Ver has been flowing through its valley southwards for thousands of years. Today it is the source of both a basic necessity and leisure time pleasure: our drinking water comes from its chalk aquifer, and many locals walk, cycle or drive along its banks or through its valley. With these eight new circular walks, in addition to the improved linear walk, we want to set the River Ver in its landscape and cultural context, so that it can be appreciated, and hopefully protected, by many more people for years to come.”
Stuart Pile, Hertfordshire County Council’s Executive Member for Highways, Transport and Rural Affairs said:
“This partnership project will bring wider benefits to people using the improved paths and bridges to get to work and school. At Hyde Lane the path to the footbridge regularly floods. Improvements made through this project will mean access is constantly maintained and children can walk this way to school, relieving traffic pressure outside the school.”
District Councillor Sheila Burton, portfolio holder for Sport and Healthy Living said:
“This project will highlight what a wonderful asset the river and the greenspaces that it travels through are in the centre of St Albans. If you follow the river you can walk from St Michaels through to Sopwell without having to walk beside a road.”
Head of Heritage Lottery Fund, East of England, Robyn Llewellyn, said:
“Open spaces play such an important role as havens from the bustle of daily life, and we are thrilled to help open up the Ver Valley for as many people as possible. This project will also ensure that through new interpretation the heritage of this area is better understood.”
Funding will be released as soon as permissions are gained from the Environment Agency for three new footbridges and surfacing work. As part of a funding package, the National Lottery, through the Heritage Lottery Fund, has awarded the Ver Valley Society £49,500 towards the £100,000 project Other project contributors are the Ver Valley Society, Hertfordshire County Council, Lafarge Environmental Trust, Watling Chase Community Forest, St Albans District Council and the Chilterns Chalk Streams Project. In addition a huge amount of volunteer effort has already been contributed from the Ver Valley Society.
If you would like more information about the project or want to volunteer to help please contact Isabel Crozier at the Countryside Management Service on 01727 848168, or email isabel.crozier@hertscc.gov.uk
