ALTON’s Flood Meadows is to receive a £25,000 funding boost in the form of a ’pocket park’ grant from the government.

The money will support a public open space improvement project to be carried out by Alton Town Council (ATC) who own and manage the land.

The application was made to the Association to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in January by the Amery Hill Residents Association (AHRA).

A £1m fund set up by the government to support the establishment of new pocket parks or the refurbishment of existing parks, a pocket park is defined as a piece of land of up to one acre which may already be under grass, but which is unused, undeveloped or derelict.

Alton’s application was formulated by local residents Louise Parker and Charles Kaye (AHRA), with assistance from ATC and it focused on three main areas:

* Upgrading of the Lenten Street bridge: to include repair and renovation of the retaining wall and riverbank to present a safe, attractive, natural feature. This stretch of the river bank, following guidance from the Environment Agency, will be clad with attractive, reinstated green walls. Unsightly tubular metal railings will be replaced with modern, safe guard rails, and a welcoming archway installed, designed by a local artist.

* Introduction of a dipping pond - to include the installation of an accessible board walk leading to a platform made of recycled plastic, to provide a safe setting for children to take part in educational pond dipping sessions.

* Creation of an inviting path alongside the northern bank of the River Wey, to a new seating area overlooking a newly-created wild flower meadow. This will create a new leisure feature to replace an overgrown area which is difficult to access and has become a focal point for anti-social behaviour.

Delighted, Louise and Charles said: "This funding will enable some neglected areas of Flood Meadows to be transformed into attractive new amenities for our local community."

Councillor Derek Gardner, mayor of Alton, added: "We are so grateful to Amery Hill Residents Association for all their hard work and vision in securing this funding. It is amazing that the community has taken a lead role in helping to secure improvements to the Meadows."

The works will be carried out over the next 12 months by ATC with assistance from AHRA, volunteers, The Alton Society and external contractors.