WIDELY considered as one of the region's most valuable natural assets, the River Tees is at the heart of the area's regeneration.
Now, an intensive, ten-month review of leisure activities on the 13-mile stretch of the river from the Barrage, through Stockton and Yarm centres and on to Low Worsall is set to form a blueprint for accelerating its improvement.
Stockton Council's Art, Leisure and Culture Select Committee carried out the review to see how river facilities can be improved.
Countless people, from watersports enthusiasts to walkers, runners, anglers and many others already enjoy the river and its surroundings. Opportunities outlined by the Committee include wider marketing, closer partnerships between users, co-ordination of events and a River Festival in 2009.
The Committee made a number of findings and a range of proposals now form part of an Action Plan:
The planned improvements to the white water course are necessary to maintain and improve the Barrage's position as a centre for watersports
These improvements will place the river strongly as a potential preparation venue for the 2012 Olympic Games.
Although there has been significant, development of riverside land since the construction of the Barrage, this has not always involved the best possible interaction with the adjacent waterspace.
Access to the river remains an issue.
There is a need to further promote the Tees at various levels: within the Borough - particularly to children - and to the wider regional, national and international community.
Both Tees Active and Stockton Council's sports development team should reinforce the availability of watersports as a sporting option.
The Committee suggested greater co-ordination of sporting activities on the river could ensure there is no conflicting growth and maximise the events programme.
A week-long River Festival should take place in May 2009, including a parade of river users, free taster sessions for a variety of sports, and other events linked to the river.
Councillor Jean O'Donnell, Chair of the Arts, Culture and Leisure Select Committee, said: "The River Tees has become a fantastic leisure resource over the past decade or so and is a real asset to the Borough. It offers so much more potential and the Council is in the best position to realise this.
"The Committee believes the Council should take the lead in co-ordinating the activities on the river, to continue the excellent partnership working identified during the review."
