Linear Park feasibility study

5th October 2020

Publica appointed to carry out the feasibility study for the Pennine Lancashire Linear Park concept along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal corridor from Nelson to Blackburn

We are pleased to announce that consultants Publica have been appointed to carry out the feasibility study for the Pennine Lancashire Linear Park concept along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal corridor from Nelson to Blackburn, in partnership with Super Slow Way, Canal &

River Trust, Lancashire County Council, Creative Lancashire and  Arts Council England . Publica is an urban design and public realm practice that works to make places more successful, functional and beautiful. To deliver the study they have teamed with the socio-economic team from the multi-disciplinary and international consultancy, Buro Happold.

Laurie Peake Director or of Super Slow Way said  “It’s a fantastic boost for the Linear Park project and for Lancashire to have recruited consultants of the calibre and reputation of Publica and Buro Happold . The Pennine Lancashire Linear Park has the potential to deliver transformational change to the area through a holistic and ambitious approach. The positive and wide-reaching impacts of similar regenerative projects, particularly along waterways,  have been seen— and measured—around the world.”

The Linear Park is one of the initiatives central to Lancashire Enterprise Partnership’s emerging cultural investment strategy and this Feasibility and Economic Assessment will help us understand the required investment and potential socio-economic benefits of the project.

There will be many creative opportunities, virtual and physical, for communities to feed into the study throughout the autumn, starting with artist Rebecca Chesney who has just been appointed artist-in-residence to explore the environment and habitats along the canal stretch and will be working with people who live alongside it to investigate and imagine its possibilities.

The study will take place over Autumn 2020 with the final report published in January 2021.