Boost for Cromford Canal restoration

A NEW organisation has been formed to make it easier to obtain funds  for  the restoration of the Cromford Canal.

The Cromford Canal Partnership will be in charge of  grant applications for what is estimated at being a £57 millions project, to complete the restoration from the end of the Erewash Canal at Langley Mill to Cromford. The photograph shows the embankment of a road at present blocking the waterway.

The group was formed last week, and includes the Friends of Cromford Canal, Derbyshire County Council and Amber Valley Borough Council, with Derbyshire Dales District Council, Bolsover District Council and Derbyshire Wildlife Trust.

Taken more seriously

Friends Chairman, Patrick Morris, believes the move meant bids for cash would be taken more seriously than if they had been from his group only, remarking:

"We will be applying for grants in the name of the canal partnership. Letterheads, for example, will have all the insignia of the different groups behind the scheme.

"I'm delighted. The Cromford Canal scheme would bring about employment and help increase the amount of visitor spending in Derbyshire."

Big lottery

It is expected that the partnership will be able to win money from the Big Lottery, which has already handed out grants of tens of millions of pounds to other canal schemes.

A similar project to restore the 22 miles Droitwich Canal is expected to get over £50m of investment.

And British Waterways pointed out the Derbyshire scheme could also rake in millions and rejuvenate the area with new housing developments and marinas!