Pictured above: The opening event for the new link to Nottingham Beeston Canal and the River Trent

A major regeneration project transforming the Trent River Park into a nationally renowned tourist attraction and access route in Nottingham has been shortlisted for a prestigious award.

The Trent River Park Green Infrastructure project, which was initiated by a number of public bodies in Nottingham, has been shortlisted in shortlisted in the Design and Construction category of The Waterways Renaissance Awards 2010.

The awards, run by The Waterways Trust and British Urban Regeneration Association (BURA), recognise best practice in sustainable waterway regeneration and development throughout the UK.

It is a great accolade for all the partners involved in the project, whose aim is to make the Trent River Park nationally renowned by 2015, as both a key transport corridor in the city and as a major attraction for visitors, residents and commercial activity.

The project consists of four elements: access and landscape improvements at Trent Gateway/Trent Lock - connecting the Erewash Canal to the River Trent, the creation of habitats and improved visitor access on Barton Lane at Attenborough Nature Reserve, creation of a new cycle and pedestrian link at Meadow Lane Lock and access improvement between Stoke Lock and Netherfield Lagoons.

The regeneration was funded by various partners including British Waterways, East Midlands Development Agency (emda), Nottingham City Council, Groundwork Greater Nottingham, The Environment Agency and Nottingham Regeneration Limited.  There was also funding via Greater Nottingham Growth Point Funding.

Diana Gilhespy, emda's Executive Director of Regeneration, said: "This project is not only improving our environment and quality of life, it's also ensuring a sustainable future for this important part of the region's waterways. I'm delighted that it is receiving national recognition through this prominent awards scheme."

Mich Stevenson, chair of NWL, said: "We are absolutely delighted that this project has been shortlisted for this award and has been recognised as a scheme which will enhance the city waterways."

East Midlands waterway manager for British Waterways, Sean McGinley said: "The Trent River Park project is already bringing significant benefits to Nottingham. The redevelopment of Meadow Lane Lock has further opened up the canal as a cleaner, greener traffic-free route into and out of the city and the project will form a key part of Nottingham's ongoing local transport plan. The smaller schemes at Trent Lock and Stoke Lock will also make it easier and more appealing for people to visit their local waterway and give them further incentive to explore the fantastic free resource on their doorstep."

The winners of the 2010 Waterways Renaissance Awards will be announced at a ceremony at the Lowry in Manchester on 17 March.  The event will be hosted by Jim Hancock, former BBC North West political editor.

The nominations were judged by an independent assessment panel, comprising waterway, conservation and regeneration experts and chaired by Sir Peter Soulsby MP. The judging process is rigorous and includes three stages of assessment, with finalist projects receiving two visits by independent assessors.

Roger Hanbury, chief executive of The Waterways Trust, said: "The finalist projects clearly show that the renaissance of our waterways is continuing to transform our environment, bringing communities together and injecting new life into their environment. The Waterways Renaissance Awards is now in their eighth year and these projects are excellent examples of what can be achieved with vision, commitment and partnership working."