WORK to turn a disused industrial canal route into a 21st Century leisure attraction can now begin, thanks to a £3m grant.
Advantage West Midlands has approved funding to build the completing stretch of a 21-mile canal loop on the Droitwich waterway.
The money will pay for 800 metres of canal channel to be built, the conversion of 66 metres of the River Salwarpe, and four new locks and other pieces of canal work.
It means the stretch will link the Droitwich Barge Canal with the Worcester and Birmingham Canal and the River Severn
Project manager for the Droitwich Canals Project James Thompson described the news as "absolutely fantastic".
"This money goes a long way towards raising the £11m we need to complete the restoration project, and it means we can now begin work."
Mr Thompson predicted it would attract £2.75m a year in tourist spending.
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