This web site has been established to promote and provide information about the Central Rivers Initiative.

The term "Central Rivers" refers to a 13 mile stretch of the river Trent and the river Tame in Staffordshire, between Burton on Trent and Tamworth. As a result of its central, location and the presence of substantial natural reserves of sand and gravel, the area has experienced considerable development pressures through industrial development, housing and quarrying. At the same time, it is recognised that the area has the potential for significant landscape and ecological improvement, and, its recreation value has arguably been overlooked. Added to that, a substantial part of the area is also included within the National Forest and is home to the recently developed National Memorial Arboretum, near Alrewas.

For more information about the rivers Tame and Trent, click here

As concerns over reconciling the various competing interests grew, it became apparent that what was needed was a co-ordinated approach involving the key players in environmental change and management within the area. Indeed, it also became apparent that, with a more co-ordinated approach, some of the apparently competing interests could, in fact, assist each other, rather than compete. For example, rather than restoring former quarries back to agriculture or large, featureless and underused lakes, there were opportunities to re-create valuable natural habitats such as reedbeds and ecological river bank improvements, which may be unlikely to be achieved through other means. Similarly, whilst some water areas could provide a focus for recreational development, others could be dedicated to nature conservation. Other development also needed to be seen in context, to help raise developers’ and landowners’ awareness of the inter-relationships between minerals development, built development and the natural environment, beyond their site boundaries. Public access to and within the Central Rivers area was also seen as a key theme, in recognition of the fact that, rather than a life of playing a supporting role, the "Central Rivers" should at long last take centre stage.

If you or your organisation have ideas, however large or small, that could contribute toward achieving the Central Rivers Vision, contact Steve Potter (tel; 01785 277260) or Janet Clarke (tel: 01785 277293)