Accepting that the best chance of attracting the large sums required to implement the Report is
through one or other of the Lottery Funds, the group looked at the experience of the other
canals in the region which have received large Lottery Grants - the Rochdale, the Huddersfield,
and the Ribble Link. The work required to put a bid together seems to be matched by the effort
required afterwards to satisfy the Lottery Fund-holders that matching funds, revenue costs,
maintenance agreements, ownership issues, relevant permissions, and management structures have
all been satisfactorily addressed and settled. There is, therefore, a considerable work-load
for an extended period to be planned for.
It was decided that expert advice should be sought to ensure that funding bids are well
presented, backed by good evidence, and are as complete and uncomplicated as possible, to
ensure that they succeed quickly, and result in the earliest possible release of funds. The
first step towards achieving those ends was judged to be the payment of specialised Consultants,
funded by the Councils, on a limited contract, and with a specific brief.
We hope that this proposal will be wholeheartedly supported by the three Boroughs, and that the
Consultants will be set to work very shortly.
In the meantime, SCARS is trying to second-guess some of the issues which will need to be
addressed in the process ahead, so that the Society can play a full part in all aspects of the
restoration for which we have campaigned for so long, and is planning the celebrations which
will attend the Canal’s 250th Anniversary on a fully restored waterway in 2007!