THE long awaited £11.5 million Droitwich canals restoration project could soon be under way.

Work on a new reed bed next to the Droitwich Barge Canal between Salwarpe and Droitwich should begin in June after permission to create it in a field near Copcut Lane, Salwarpe, was granted by Wychavon District Council.

Detailed design work is already in progress by a team including members from Droitwich Canals' Restoration Partnership and Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Consulting.

Planners will present their plans and ask for feedback from those living nearby at a consultation event between 3pm and 7.30pm on Thursday, April 26, at Salwarpe Village Hall.

The new reed bed will replace an existing bed which must be cleared to make the canal navigable between Hawford and Hanbury Wharf and the work is hoped to be finished in 12 weeks. A survey of the wildlife in the area including slow worms and grass snakes will also be done and the site will be monitored for great crested newts.

The ambitious project will see the junction and barge canals fully restored by 2009.

A linear canal park will be created along with a 21-mile cruising ring to connect the river Severn with the Worcester and Birmingham Canal.

Droitwich Canals Trust chairman Margaret Rowley said: "After nearly 35 years of the trust campaigning for restoration of the Droitwich canals we are actually seeing the start of the restoration for real.

"In two to three years time we will see a big change in Droitwich with an increase in trade for the town and more leisure facilities for local people. It will be great."

She also asked the community to support the project either through voluntary work or by a financial commitment to help plug a £1 million shortfall.