Project worth £2.4m underway to reveal river

Work on a £2.4m project is underway to open up the River Sherbourne that flows through Coventry.

As part of the plans, a pedestrianised riverside space will be created on Palmer Lane in the city centre.

The riverbed will be naturalised and landscaping and lighting structured around it.

Geoff Willcocks, from Historic Coventry Trust said the plans would create "a really special area right in the centre of the city".

The project is a partnership between Coventry City Council and Historic Coventry Trust.

"It does make a rather forgotten, unattractive part of the city, potentially more attractive for people," councillor Jim O'Boyle said.

He added that the project would create more investment in the future which would be a "win win" for everybody.

"Piece by piece, little by little, we're improving the city centre," he said.

The river was slowly buried underground in the city centre as the industry changed from water power to steam power and combustion engines.

Mr Willcocks said plans to uncover it started more than 30 years ago.

"The point of this project is to bring [the river] back into the life of the city," he added.

Mr Willcocks said the scheme would allow people to enjoy the river and connect with nature.

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