Vision 2025: The Sankey Restored?

British Waterways has reviewed its criteria for evaluating the list of over 100 canal restoration proposals currently being promoted around the country. In its Report, 'Waterways 2025' published in June, it placed the projects most likely to have been completed or started by 2025 in three Priority Groups. The Sankey is listed in the second Group.

We are, of course, delighted at this rating. However, the restoration will only happen if we make it. British Waterways does not have the money to restore any canals itself - the funds must be drawn towards the project by our partners. To date, over £2bn has been spent in this country on regeneration projects involving waterways. Why not on the Sankey?

In its Report (www.britishwaterways.co.uk/waterways2025), are listed its criteria. It rates the Economic benefits arising from the restoration as High, pointing out that 28 of the 20% most deprived Wards in the country are within two miles of the Canal. It cites the "active canal society" and "local political support" a little lower, however.

There, then, is our task as a Society - to become more active, especially in promoting the restoration, and the link to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. Who do we need to impress? - the local people. There is already strong local support for the restoration, and this encourages our partners in the Local Authorities to put in funding bids for the project. We need to attract even more local support, and draw that money our way.

David Long, Chairman, SCARS

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