ALCESTER residents now have the chance to see the results of a pre-feasibility study on the navigation of the River Arrow.

The results of the study, which looked into opening up a 10km stretch of the river between Salford Priors and Alcester for use by pleasure craft, are now available for inspection at Globe House and Alcester Library.

The study, carried out by the Halcrow Group on behalf of River Arrow Navigation Enterprise, has covered the engineering, environmental and economic issues of the proposal.

It shows it would be possible to make the stretch navigable while preserving much of the wildlife habitat.

Six locks would need to be built, along with accumulator ponds to store water.

It is expected the scheme would cost more than £8 million - £3 million more than the original estimate.

The scheme would deliver some of the town's strategic priorities in terms of encouraging tourism and providing opportunities to develop footpaths and cycleways for outdoor recreation, as well as creating an estimated 26 jobs, the report says.

The next stage of the project will be an environmental impact study but this can only be undertaken after a public consultation meeting has been held to discuss the Halcrow Group report.

For more details, call River Arrow Navigation Enterprise deputy chairman Maurice Abney-Hastings on 01789 763628 or e-mail maurice@euprojects.co.uk