British Waterways back down

BRITISH Waterways have backed down over the proposed withdrawal of moorings at Audlem.

Traders in the village were worried that the  withdrawal of the moorings on the Shropshire Union Canal would severely hit their trade, as Audlem is a favourite stopping place for boaters.

Residents too felt it would have had an impact on the attractiveness of the village, which is known for being a major draw for boaters calling at the canalside pubs and shops.

Room for local flexibility

Following a meeting between boaters, Audlem Parish Council and British Waterways' Sally Ash and Rob Broadbent, it was agreed that there was 'room for local flexibility in the national policy', and that both Audlem's permanent mooring sites should be retained.

The opening of the new nearby marina, under the policy of one linear mooring being taken out for ten new marina moorings was behind the original decision.  Yet many boaters suffering the long lines of linear moorings of that particular canal are in favour of the policy.