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The Change Line Bridge itself is an important
piece of heritage – this bridge has a special design where horses pulling
canal barges could transfer from one side of the canal to the other (when
the towpath switched sides) without the bother of having to unhitch the rope
from the boat. Although now not used by horses, the bridge remains as an
attractive addition to the area, with its unusual curves.
At present the bridge seems slightly out of
context (currently spanning a cycletrack!), however with the restoration
work completed, it is easy to imagine what Kendal will look like once the
canal is restored to its original condition. Walkers and cyclists will still
have access under the bridge, but they will have to share passage with
boats.
The work would not have been possible
without the grant aid received from the Heritage Lottery Fund, South
Lakeland District and Kendal Town Councils and the Civic Society as well as
United Utilities. British Waterways has made a major contribution to the
restoration by acting as main contractor.
Dr John Satchell comments “The bridge was
built in 1819 and is unique in Cumbria. I trust the scheme will raise
awareness of the Lancaster Canal’s important contribution to the development
of Kendal in the early 1800’s.”
Debbie Lumb, British Waterway Manager says
“We are delighted to have participated in a project which will bring the
full re-opening of the Lancaster Canal Northern Reaches one step closer. The
restoration of the canal link to Kendal will bring huge leisure and economic
benefits to the whole region and we look forward to the day when this is
achieved”.
Notes to editors
The Northern Reaches Restoration Group aims
to restore the Lancaster Canal to Canal Head, Kendal, and comprises of seven
partners - The Lancaster Canal Trust, Lancashire County Council, Lancaster
City Council, Cumbria County Council, South Lakeland District Council, The
Inland Waterways Association and British Waterways
The 14½ mile (25km) Northern Reaches of the
Lancaster Canal were effectively blocked in the 1960s by the construction of
the M6 which severed the waterway in three places.
A feasibility study on the restoration of
the Northern Reaches of the Lancaster Canal has been produced. The proposed
scheme tackles three motorway and four trunk road crossings and includes the
enhancement and conservation of 52 historically important and listed
structures. A desk top Conservation Plan study of the area has been
commissioned, with a view to having a full conservation plan established by
March 2003. The group is also in discussions with the NWDA, who will
commission an economic impact study – showing the full value of the project
to the north west.
A strategy for funding of this vast scheme
has also begun to take shape, and is being led by The Waterways Trust, who
have become the eighth partner in the Northern Reaches Restoration Group.
Project statistics and projections:
 14½ miles (25km) long
£30million scheme
could create nearly 2,000 jobs
would attract more than one
million visitors per year
would generate over
£14million/year income from visitors
For further information please contact:
Claire Chapman Marketing Officer British Waterways 01524 751888 or 07789
980770 |
