Second award for River Severn Partnership

8 July 2024

The River Severn Partnership has picked up a second award in recognition of its "groundbreaking work" to support communities living alongside the UK's longest river.

It won the Innovation in Partnership category at The MJ (Municipal Journal) Achievement Awards 2024, to add to its success at the Local Government Chronicle Awards 2024 just a week earlier.

The cross-border environmental and economic partnership aims to build resilience and prosperity for the 2.6 million people living alongside the River Severn.

Partners include Powys County Council, Shropshire Council, Telford & Wrekin Council, Herefordshire County Council, Worcestershire County Council, Warwickshire County Council, Gloucestershire County Council, Natural Resources Wales, Natural England, Severn Trent Water, National Farmers' Union, local nature partnerships, wildlife trusts, and academic institutions such as Birmingham City University.

The MJ Achievement Award judges said the partnership had well evidenced need in the River Severn Catchment for intervention, and an ambition not only to improve economic, social and environment outcomes, but to bring innovation to policy.

They also recognised it for its bold strategy, and its strong leadership, for generating a series of important early outputs that are laying the foundations for future work.

Prof Mark Barrow, co-chair of the River Severn Partnership (RSP), said: "The RSP's groundbreaking work has been recognised for its transformative impact on communities and the environment.

"As a strategic rural partnership, the RSP has pioneered an integrated approach to developing resilience in areas affected by flooding, redefining the management and utilisation of rivers as assets rather than liabilities.

"We are delighted to have been recognised again by our peers and to have won this second industry award for innovation."