FUNDING CONFIRMED FOR NEXT STEP IN CANAL RESTORATION

Funding has been announced today towards the first phase in the restoration of the Northern Reaches of the Lancaster Canal.

£750,000 has been confirmed by the main funding partners, Rural Regeneration Cumbria, South Lakeland District Council and Kendal Town Council, for planning & design of the first phase, which covers the northern Kendal section of the disused canal. The Lancaster Canal Trust have contributed £5000.

The restoration of the 3.7 miles from Kendal to Natland Road will be a catalyst for regeneration around Kendal Town Centre, creating new housing, jobs and leisure facilities around the canal.

British Waterways, which successfully manages 2,000 miles of inland waterway in England, Scotland and Wales, have been asked by the Northern Reaches Restoration Group to manage the delivery of the work. British Waterways North West have extensive expertise and has delivered key restoration projects including the Rochdale Canal and Huddersfield Narrow Canal and at present are close to securing the £17m funding to deliver the Liverpool Canal Link.
Following confirmation of the funding, work will now commence in Spring 2005 and will be completed by Spring 2007.

The restoration of the first phase is estimated to cost £13.5m, and could be achievable by 2009.

Steve Broomhead, Chief Executive, Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), sponsors of Rural Regeneration Cumbria, said: “The NWDA is very pleased to see the significant contribution being made to this project by Rural Regeneration Cumbria. We look forward, with interest, to the outcome of the masterplanning exercise for the Northern Reaches and will be working with our partners to progress the first phase of this development.”

Commenting on the funding, Charles Woodhouse, Chairman, Rural Regeneration Cumbria said: “Rural Regeneration Cumbria is pleased to contribute £325,000 towards the masterplanning and engineering design work for stage one of the restoration of the Northern Reaches of the Lancaster Canal. When completed this exciting project will have a major impact on the economic regeneration of Cumbria.”

Councillor Colin Hodgson, South Lakeland Council said: “South Lakeland District Council is pleased to confirm the allocation of £325,000 from its capital programme towards the first stage of the work. The project is about looking to the future and seeking out opportunities that will increase job prosperity and ensure that the district remains an outstanding area to live and work. The restoration of the canal is a large and ambitious project, but one that SLDC is proud to support.

Martin Clarke, Restoration Manager, British Waterways added: “British Waterways are delighted that the funding partners recognise the value of the canal as the focus of rural regeneration.”