NW/036/03
19 March 2003

More than 800 new jobs, new marinas, £45 million new private investment and an extra £21 million visitor income are just a few of the projected benefits identified in a feasibility study into the restoration of the Northern Reaches of the Lancaster Canal.

The report, Options Appraisal Study, which was funded by the Northwest Development Agency, has been carried out by Environmental Resources Management, on behalf of the Northern Reaches Restoration Group.

The study examined the feasibility of the restoration project in terms of engineering, funding, water resources, heritage, land and social and economic benefits.

The whole restoration carries a price tag of just over £50 million, and could be achievable by 2008.

The study identifies some of the main benefits:
Creation of over 800 additional jobs
Additional tourist revenue of £21million pa
Additional 1m visitors pa
£45m private investment
Bring 35 hectares of brownfield land into use.
Provide 620 residential units, 180 hotel beds, and 53,000 m2 of gross floorspace in retail, leisure, business and industry
Introduce and promote biodiversity, including the creation of new wetland habitats
The newly restored canal would help to promote sport, recreation, arts trails, sustainable transport links, multiuser trails, and volunteer projects

He said: “The restoration of the Northern Reaches of the Lancaster Canal could bring huge economic and social benefits to South Lakeland and north Lancashire and this report now confirms that.

“The wealth of factual information contained in the report now gives us a firm basis for moving forwards to the next step which will involve assembling an appropriate funding package, resolving land issues and gaining planning permission.

“Although the restoration has several major engineering challenges, particularly the motorway crossings, much of the route has thankfully been preserved. Nobody should underestimate that we are at the start of an uphill climb to restoration but it is an achievable goal that will reap rewards for everyone who lives and works along the canal route.”

Although the Lancaster Canal was originally constructed in the 1790’s, the restoration of the Northern Reaches will be achieved using 21st century technology.

Already an aerial survey, using a state of the art Light Detection and Ranging System has been carried out which will assist project managers, British Waterways, with designing major obstructions, checking earth structures and towpath levels and calculating excavation quantities.

Modern engineering equipment will also be used to tackle the three major blockages cause by the M6 motorway. At all three obstructions the canal will be channelled under the motorway in a culvert. At Cinderbarrow Culvert this will involve the installation of a new lock to lower the water level. At Spinney Culvert, the crossing will be brought south by several hundred metres to reduce the water level and at Crooklands Culvert the canal will just be driven straight through the existing line.

Sixth form pupils from Kirkbie Kendal School and Queen Elizabeth School, Kirkby Lonsdale, have already carried out some of the advance design work for the project as part of a national Engineering Education Scheme. Kirkbie Kendal sixth formers have been working on the Natland Road Bridge and Queen Elizabeth pupils have come up with bright ideas for Howards Aqueduct which will cross over the A590.

Tania Snelgrove, British Waterways project manager for the Northern Reaches, said: “The quality of the work which the students have produced has been impressive. They have displayed skills in project management, research, technical ability and presentation which has combined with their enthusiasm and organisation to produce imaginative work. It has given them a great taste of civil engineering as a profession.”

The restoration of the Northern Reaches of the Lancaster Canal will come under the spotlight at a public talk, organised by the Inland Waterways Association, at Kendal Town Hall on Thursday 20 March. Starting at 7.45pm, the evening will feature presentations from National IWA chairman John Fletcher and British Waterways Lancaster Canal manager Debbie Lumb.

Notes to editors

A CD rom with images and maps is available. Please contact Linda Butterworth on 01606 723828 or email linda.butterworth@britishwaterways.co.uk

The Northern Reaches Restoration Group aims to restore the Lancaster Canal to Canal Head, Kendal, and comprises of nine partners - The Lancaster Canal Trust, Lancashire County Council, Lancaster City Council, Cumbria County Council, South Lakeland District Council, Kendal Town Council, The Inland Waterways Association, British Waterways and The Waterways Trust.

For further information please contact:
Lynn Pegler Communications Manager British Waterways North West
01606 723866 or 07710 175017
email lynn.pegler@britishwaterways.co.uk