Working with people for public benefit
The Trust and its partners want to develop the Waterway with the active involvement of those whom it will directly affect – local people and water/waterside users. Our vision for 2011 and beyond, after the first stretch of Waterway has opened, is that:
- local people support, are involved in and actively care for ‘their’ Waterway
- there is extensive and contented use by a range of users
- there is harmony amongst users and between users and local people.
The Project Partnership has a Public Involvement Plan which commits us to using innovative consultation and public participation methods that involve the whole community. Click here to view the Plan. (PDF 27kb)
Building public awareness
Trust volunteers give a public talks almost weekly, and regularly run exhibitions at local libraries, shopping centres and festivals. Last year we talked to over 3000 people. We also run Walk the Route events, to give local people and users the chance to find out more about challenges and opportunities. Click here to find out more about talks and walks.
Testing public support
Public consultations in 2001-2 showed overwhelming interest in and support for the Waterway, ranging from 84% positive (Bedford Town Centre Improvement survey, 2002) to 96% (National Inland Waterways Festival, Milton Keynes 2001) positive that the Waterway will benefit the area, in terms of the environment and the economy.
In December 2002 the concept of the Waterway was tested in a 3-day Citizen’s Jury which reinforced the environmental and economic benefits, emphasised the need for quality development, and called for continued community involvement in planning. Click here for the summary report of the Jury. (PDF 7kb)
Clear 'thumbs up' to Milton Keynes Waterway Park Plans - May 2007
As part of the Big Lottery bid, the Trust has been consulting the people of Milton Keynes on the Waterway Park. Pupils from Broughton Fields school produced a huge scale model which was then displayed at 4 locations around the City. Residents were invited to place option cards on the model showing what features they would like to see along the route. A 59 page report has been produced and highlights from the document are reproduced here.
Who did we consult?
- nearly 300 people had their say on the proposed Waterway Park
- the demographic mix reflected that of the Milton Keynes city population, half male, half female, 95% white, 5% BME
- unlike most public consultations, the potential users of the Waterway Park were particularly well represented. 23% of those taking part were aged under 18, 17% were aged under 11
What did they say?
Visitors made almost 1,000 suggestions and comments – with an extraordinarily rich mixture of themes. All comments were positive. One or two people who had reservations at first, discussed their concerns and then went out positive.
What do they want?
The majority of comments were about the eastern half of the Park (which has less existing development and so more scope for shaping the design of the Park). About half of all comments concerned environmental issues, for instance
- dog poop scoop bins and litterbins
- nature reserve
- planting to encourage wild life
- want a pub
- designated areas for fishing
- picnic area
- circular walking routes
- fully accessible toilets
After the ball was over: what difference did the consultation make?
For B & MK Waterway Trust
- crucial community input to the engineering design brief
- additional ideas for enhancing the Park’s attractiveness to local people
For the volunteers
- acquisition of skills in running a consultation
- sense of empowerment deriving from acquisition of new skills
- opportunity to engage with the public
For Broughton Fields School
- educational and practical contributions to Key Stages 1 and 2
For the public
- greater understanding of what a Waterway Park could mean to them
- empowerment – greater sense of control over their environment.
