The Northern Reaches Restoration Group

	THE NORTHERN REACHES RESTORATION GROUP
	"Restoring the Lancaster Canal to Kendal"

IWA GRANT HELPS RESTORE KENDAL'S HISTORIC BRIDGES

Date: 24th October 2003

The Inland Waterways Association (IWA) today announced a grant of £5,000 to The Waterways Trust, for the benefit of the Northern Reaches Restoration Group, towards the cost of restoring two bridges, over the dry bed of the Lancaster Canal in Kendal, to 'heritage standard'.

The total cost of restoring the Natland Mill Bridge and Castle Bridge to their original appearance is expected to be £102,000. The work will be carried out while Cumbria County Council, which owns the bridges, is undertaking urgent strengthening works as part of its commitment to support the restoration of the canal for commercial use. Without the additional funding, the County Council would only have been able to strengthen the bridges without preserving their original appearance.

Tony Harrison, chairman of IWA's Restoration Committee, said, "The reopening of Change Bridge, following restoration, has already gained much publicity for the restoration of the Northern Reaches of the
Lancaster Canal. We hope that the restoration of these two further bridges will provide yet more good publicity to promote the restoration of the Northern Reaches of the Lancaster Canal, as well as preserving
two historic features that are attractive in their own right. The involvement of volunteers from Kendal Civic Society, Lancaster Canal Trust and others will enable local people to become involved in bringing the canal back to Kendal".

Ian Stewart, chairman of the County Council's Local Committee, said, "This is another good example of partnership: the County Council has been able to work with IWA to improve our environment and set the scene for longer term development of the route from Tewitfield to Kendal".

Tony Harrison added, "An Options Appraisal Study has shown that restoration of the Northern Reaches of the Lancaster Canal offers many benefits. Fifty-two listed structures would be restored, around 900 permanent jobs would be created and over one million new visitors could be expected per year to this rural region. The restored canal would bring over £14 million a year to the local economy. IWA is, therefore, delighted to offer funding that will not only help in the restoration of two bridges, but will also ultimately bring tremendous benefits to the area".

For further information please contact:

Vicky Clark, IWA Senior Project Officer
Tel: 01923 711114 ext 23

Tony Harrison, Chairman, IWA Restoration Committee
Tel: 01491 872380