Cotswolds funding blow

FUNDING for the restoration of the four miles of canal between Stonehouse and Saul Junction is not forthcoming, with the  Heritage Lottery Fund application being rejected.

The application was for over £13 millions, but seemingly proved too much, so the restoration will not go ahead at the present time.

Olympics

However it seems that this was no great surprise in view of the massive cash demands for staging the Olympics, that has left many others being turned down, but another bid is to be made in 12 months time that it is hoped will receive a more favourable response.

Ken Burgin, Chief Executive of the Cotswold Canals Trust, pointed out:

"There was always some doubt as to whether a Phase 1b Heritage Lottery bid would be successful until further progress has been made on the ground on Phase 1a.

"The coming months will allow stronger partnerships to develop with other interested stakeholders and elements of the project to be refined. The Trust remains fully committed to this project which involves a huge amount of volunteer input. This is such an important waterways project both locally and nationally that we are confident of a positive outcome in due course."