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Cash boost for canal
Ambitious plans to restore the northern
reaches of the Lancaster Canal through Kendal are not just a pipedream but
an economy-boosting reality which will go ahead, say backers of the multi-
million-pound project.
This week, the first financial piece in the Kendal canal jigsaw fell into
place as the Northern Reaches Canal Restoration Group announced the £750,000
needed to push ahead with planning and design work for phase one had been
secured.
The group, which is behind plans for the three-phase £60 million project
which would see the re-opening of a 14-mile stretch of the canal from Kendal
to Tewitfield, near Carnforth, made the announcement at a packed public
meeting at Kendal Town Hall on Wednesday. |
Chairman of the group, Hal Bagot said he was
“delighted” and assured the creation of a canal would provide a big boost to
the economy of the area.
“This project has captured the imagination of many people, not just as a
restoration scheme but its capacity of providing jobs, leisure opportunities
and regeneration for Kendal and South Lakeland,” he said.
“The impact it will have here in Kendal and South Lakeland cannot be
overstated. We will be the most northerly point of the canal network of
England – imagine the lure that will be to some enthusiasts to travel from
London to the Lake District.”
Mr Bagot explained it was estimated phase one, which stretches 3.7 miles
from Canal Head to Natland Road, would cost £13.5million and be completed by
2009.
He said the restoration of this stretch of water would attract a mixed
development of waterside cafes, pubs, shops, housing and become a magnet to
big business which would help the project to forge forward.
At the meeting, the scheme had strong words of backing from the North West
Development Agency as chief executive Steve Broomhead confirmed: “This is a
journey we intend to complete.”
Martin Clark, restoration manager for British Waterways, who claimed phase
one could potentially create 958 jobs, added: “We’re here for the long haul
– to see Kendal connected to the national canal network down to London and
beyond.”
Chairman of Rural Regeneration Cumbria Charles Woodhouse said the project
would have a “ripple effect” and benefit the whole of Cumbria.
The cash for the design work of phase one has come from Rural Regeneration
Cumbria (£325,000), South Lakeland District Council (£325,000), Kendal Town
Council (£15,000), British Waterways (£87,000) and the Lancaster Canal Trust
(£5,000).
The second stage of the canal project would continue south 11.1 km to
Millness, at a cost of £21.5million, while the final stage would reopen 10km
of the route to Tewitfield and the rest of the national canal network. |
