Rochdale Canal gets £124,000

THE Waterways Trust has secured a £124,000 grant from the Big Lottery for the Rochdale Canal around Manchester, but not alas for boating.

This money is for Rochdale Canal Partnership for the Canal Connections project, 'which will help increase the number of people who use and care for the waterway and its wildlife in Newton Heath and Miles Platting'.

Biodiversity and wildlife

We are told that Canal Connections will enable people living in these areas to learn about the natural environment of the Rochdale Canal. Through this two years long project, the Rochdale Canal Partnership hopes to increase local knowledge of the biodiversity and wildlife found along the waterway and foster a sense of ownership of the canal amongst the local population.

Becky Liddell, Rochdale Canal Development Manager, explained:

"People think that you need to go somewhere wild and remote to discover wildlife, this just isn't the case. We have an abundance of wildlife right here on our doorstep. Regardless of the time of year, the Rochdale Canal is alive with a wealth of plant life, animals and creatures waiting to be discovered."

Discussions

The idea for Canal Connections arose from discussions with the local community. Following a consultation programme in 2008, a Canal Community User Group was established to discuss how the waterway could be improved and to encourage more people to take care of the canal and its environment.