The TTTV project is a partnership of 18 organisations working together to restore and enhance the natural and cultural heritage of the Trent Valley, with Staffordshire Wildlife Trust at the helm. TTTV aims to revitalise wildlife-rich waterways and wetlands and is to be launched at Tucklesholme, located on the banks of the River Trent near Barton-under-Needwood, on Friday 17th May.  

The launch of TTTV coincides with the charity’s 50th anniversary celebrations in 2019.

The TTTV project was successful in 2016 for a first stage grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund (The Fund) to deliver a wide range of projects aimed at reconnecting communities to the Trent Valley area.

The second stage of the project commenced in late 2018 after an application to The Fund for a grant of £2.7million was successful. The total value of the project is £4.7million.

Louise Morris, TTTV Project Manager, said: “The TTTV area is one of Staffordshire and Derbyshire’s most treasured landscapes and we are very hopeful it will make the landscape more accessible to everyone, encourage communities to learn more about the cultural and natural heritage of the Trent Valley and improve connectivity in the landscape for wildlife. That will be achieved by re-naturalising stretches of the river which have been engineered and creating new habitats for wildlife to thrive.

“We are finally at the stage where we can launch the project at get started with work on the ground and begin building a sustainable landscape enjoyed by all.

“Our vision for TTTV is to reconnect people with the rivers and floodplains of the area, increase their appreciation for the local heritage, and involve them in decision-making about the future use of the landscape.”

The Environment Agency is one of the TTTV project partners.

Mike Grimes, Area Director for the Environment Agency, said: “We’re really pleased to be a partner in this exciting project. Our flood scheme for Burton, that gets underway shortly, overlaps geographically and strategically meaning we can provide match funding for the project and deliver more for people and wildlife.

“In addition, our plans to remove Dovercliff  weir later this year also fits the vision for Transforming the Trent Valley. Together, these two schemes sit well within pretty much all of the goals of the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan, which sets out to protect and enhance the environment for the next generation.”

About The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Using money raised by the National Lottery, we inspire, lead and resource the UK’s heritage to create positive and lasting change for people and communities, now and in the future. www.HeritageFund.org.uk.

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