The vision for a litter-free Medway coastline has taken a major step forward thanks to a joint partnership that will be launching later this month. Chatham Maritime Trust, local charity Living River Foundation and MDL - who run the Chatham Marina - are joining forces in a bid to pursue a long-term clean-up of the Chatham Maritime Peninsular and surrounding areas of waste and rubbish. Aerial view of the Chatham Peninsular - © Countryside Properties The 'Litter Free Maritime' project will be tackling the litter problem across the entire estate with the support of local businesses and residents, through the use of innovative technology and methods, as well as collecting more of the rubbish that has already entered the environment. The project is set to officially launch at the Food and Drink Festival at Chatham Maritime later this month, which will be taking place from Saturday, 26 May to Monday, 28 May. Like many other coastal areas, the Chatham Maritime Peninsular - which spans across St. Mary's Island, the Basins and the universities - suffers from widespread litter and everyday waste, and in a similar fashion to other coastlines, this enters the water of the docks and the nearby estuary. Once this litter has been released into the water it's much harder to collect and can cause damage to the environment - some items may even remain for more than 400 years. Some of the litter already collected from Medway's coastline - © Living River Foundation However, steps have already been taken to work on Medway's coastal litter problem. Chatham Maritime Trust has been at the forefront of collecting litter from the roads, pathways and foreshore of the peninsular with the help of local residents. Fencing around the basins have also undergone 'wind-proofing' to prevent litter from falling into the water, while businesses such as the Historic Dockyard have replaced some disposable items from their sites. The Litter Free Maritime partnership aims to increase and improve the collection of rubbish in the local waterways, while also working with local businesses and the wider community to reduce the production of waste locally in the first place and improving the capturing of this waste where it is produced most often. "We can all take positive steps, however small, to help improve our environment." Julian Perry, Chief Executive of the Chatham Maritime Trust, said: "The Litter Free Maritime project, supported by Chatham Maritime Trust in partnership with Living River Foundation, is an excellent initiative working with the community and local businesses to reduce the risk of litter and to promote fauna and wildlife." "It is encouraging local residents and community groups to get involved in hands-on litter removal and raises awareness of the problem that we all face. We can all take positive steps, however small, to help improve our environment." Chatham Maritime Trust and MDL are supporting the project through funding, while wider finances are being sought elsewhere as the project develops. Activities will include monitoring of the area, including the waterways, regular litter collections, education and interventions with local businesses and the implementation of a passive collector – made from recycled plastics – to be placed across a windward area of the marina to collect and hold litter in the area ready for staff to clear. Want to help out?Representatives from the Litter Free Maritime Project will be at a stand during the Food and Drink Festival at Chatham Maritime later this month, from Saturday, 26 May to Monday, 28 May, where any interested businesses and local residents can meet them and find out more about how they can get involved.
To find out further information about the partnership project, please visit the Living River Foundation website, drop them an e-mail to [email protected], or you can join the project's Facebook Group. Delays are expected as key routes in Strood will be closed on some weekends from early May due to major roadworks as part of a £28m town centre regeneration project. Here you can find a full list of road closures that may affect you. Travelling by bus? Please scroll to the end of this news article for a full list of Arriva, ASD and Nu-Venture bus services that will be affected by the road closures, with useful links to leaflets and temporary timetables that have been published by the bus operators. Full list of road closures in Strood:Friday, 10th May 8pm to Monday, 13 May 5:30am Friday, 17th May 8pm to Monday, 20th May 5:30am:
Traffic travelling along Commercial Road from Rochester Bridge will then be diverted into Knight Road. Friday, 24th May 8pm to Monday, 27th May 5:30am:
Traffic travelling from Gun Lane will only be able to turn right onto the A2, London Road. Friday, 26th July to Monday, 29th July (overnight only): Road closures in place from 8pm to 5:30am every night only. The roads affected will be open again during the day.
Travelling by bus?
Please visit the information page on the Arriva website for a full set of diversion routes to the affected bus services listed above.
Please read the information leaflet from the Nu-Venture website for further details regarding the affected bus services listed above.
Please read the temporary timetables provided on the ASD website for further information about the affected bus services listed above. |
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August 2023
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