New policy for Lancaster Canal restoration

THE restoration of the Northern Reaches of the Lancaster Canal have been at a standstill for many years, but a new policy by the Lancaster Canal Trust hopes to reverse this.

Though the Lancaster Canal was given a new lease of life when its southern end was once again connected to the Ribble by the Ribble Link, allowing boats to use the river to connect to the main system, its northern section was cut off at Tewitfield by the M6 when the motorway was constructed in 1968.

Little success

The Trust has had little success in its bids for cash for the restoration of the Northern Reaches of the waterway, but it is now thought that instead of working from the northern end—that of course is unconnected, and so does not attract funding—restoration should be from the southern end, extending the connected waterway.

Also, in place of attempting to get funds for the whole 15 miles restoration, the Trust is looking at breaking it down into smaller sections that would have more chance of finding grant funding.

Discussions taking place

The two miles of restoration from Tewitfield that are in Lancashire, including the M6 and Tewitfield Locks, are most important, and so discussions are already taking place with Lancashire County Council and South Lakeland District Council.