Breach cost rises

THE whole future of the Grand Western Canal in Devon is in jeopardy as the cost of repairing its breach could cost as much as £5m.

It was in the November floods when the breach occurred, it taking away a length of its bank, with a two miles section draining away.

Modern standards

Its owner, Devon County Council, wants to repair it to 'modern standards' which would cost much more that the original estimate of £3m according to an engineer.

It has been discovered that the repairs could involve a considerable length of the banked canal being removed and rebuilt to modern standards.

It was the council that transformed the disused waterway into a linear country park, encouraging walking and cycling, together with horse-drawn boat trips, and so spending £5m in the present financial climate is causing concern.