The St. Helens Canal: The Way Forward
by Marc Cole

At our AGM on 26th March, Marc Cole, Head of Economic Development of St. Helens Council, ran through the presentation he has put together to promote the restoration of the Sankey to potential funders and partners. Entitled "The St. Helens Canal, The Way Forward", it gives a quick run-through of the issues under the headings Background; Current Situation and Opportunities; the Challenge; Progress, and The Way Forward.

In the Background Marc gave a brief outline of the early days of the canal, its position as leader in its field, when it gave a good return to its shareholders. He went on to describe the gradual decline as a result of changes in transport methods, until its official abandonment in 1963. He then filled in the story since then - the formation of SCARS, its restoration work at the New Double Lock, and the protection of the line of the original canal by the three councils involved. He also covered the WS Atkins' Feasibility Study of 1996, pointing out that it did not consider fully the economic benefits of regeneration, the job opportunities and increased spend restoration would bring.

Under Current Situation, he described the state of the waterway, with around 11 miles in water, and 5 miles of in-filled channel - all owned by the local authorities, which makes restoration more straightforward than if there was multiple ownership. The two recent visits to the area by BW's Chairman, Dr. George Greener, and his statements that the St. Helens Canal was well worth restoration, and that BW would give every assistance, obviously gave the project credibility.

The Opportunities which presently exist under various funding streams - European Union Objective One (until 2006); the North West Development Agency; St. Helens being one of four pilot regeneration schemes - could be focussed around the canal's restoration, if a solid case for the regeneration of the town and the wider area can be made.

The Challenge is to make that case, and translate the current situation into action to secure the reopening of the original canal, and the creation of the new link to the main national waterways system via the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. There is the need to maximise the associated benefits of regeneration, the job opportunities, the increasing land values and the increased spend in the region.

Progress to date he described in terms of the in-principal support of all the partners involved, the setting up of a Steering Group and an Operational Sub-group from amongst the partners, and the inclusion of the project in both St. Helens and Merseyside Tourist Strategy Documents. A Pre-feasibility study briefing is in preparation with the in-principal financial support of the partners. This will lead to a full feasibility study.

Meanwhile the restoration of the canal section between Corporation and Parr Streets, as part of the East Side proposals, now has Planning Consent. Funding is to be sought for this, and work commenced at the earliest opportunity. Also, and related to the restoration, there is the Carr Mill Dam Feasibility Study, for which funding has already been secured.

Under Way Forward, Marc detailed the milestones ahead:

• June 2003: the inclusion of the project within the City Growth Strategy Document;
• July 2003: pre-feasibility study publicity event at the Anderton Lift, hosted by BW, and to be attended by senior politicians and V.I.Ps;
• September 2003: the Commissioning of the Detailed Feasibility study (at a cost of around £250,000);
• January 2004: the appointment of a Canal Project Restoration Manager;
• February 2004: the Commissioning of the detailed design plan;
• June 2004: the submission of funding applications;
• October 2004: the phased restoration programme begins.

Marc then answered a number of questions from the floor:

Why not aim for restoration by 2007, the canal's 250th anniversary?

The year 2007 is an important publicity opportunity, but is not weighty enough for funders, who will need convincing of the regeneration benefits of restoration.

How to get Local Authority sceptics on board?

Canal regeneration will generate wider support from the public, which will swing opinion.

Could funders from successful restoration schemes be approached?

Key funding sources are European and Development Agencies who deal in millions. Private sector may be influenced by rising land values. Smaller investors are just as wary and need convincing of benefits. St Helens is one of highest qualifiers for funding and money will still be available form 2006 to 2008, possibly up to 2012. The Restoration project could be in the form of a 10 year programme during which EEC money will cease to be made available but increased land values will bring investment from the private sector.

Why is the project called the St. Helens Canal Project?

At present for convenience only. Perhaps at a later date a different project title will be selected, reflecting the fact that the new link is being built.

Would a restored canal affect land values immediately beside the canal, or over a wider area?

Both would be affected as the ripple effect influenced the wider area.

Why not tackle the whole restoration in one go as with the Huddersfield Canal?

Because if the whole project is to cost £100M, it is easier to find £10M per year for ten years than to find the whole amount in one year.

Could the sites of past industry be used as new industrial areas and so attract new workers and new housing?

The Unitary Development Plans include consideration of industrial land adjacent to the canal. It should be remembered that industrial sites are not restricted to industrial development but can be put to other uses.

With this Marc concluded his presentation. Members had been impressed by his knowledge of the canal, and his grasp of the issues, and the Chairman expressed the thanks of the Society for the work he was doing to take forward the restoration.

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