Canals rebuild work could start in March

The £11.2m programme to restore the canals received a huge boost from the Heritage Lottery Fund in the form of a £4.6m grant last week.

Now the Droitwich Canals Trust and British Waterways are waiting to hear whether Advantage West Midlands will approve a £3m bid as the final cash boost.

It is expected to make its decision in December.

If given the go-ahead, construction work could begin as soon as March and will take four years to complete.

"I have no doubt that over time, the restoration of the canal system linking Hanbury Locks to the River Severn via Droitwich will put the town as one of the Midlands' top tourist and leisure attractions" said Droitwich Town and Worcestershire County councillor Peter Pinfield.

"The Government has given its blessing and its money and we now have to wait until December for the final decision. Next year we can get on with the task in hand."

The restoration project, which has been in the pipeline for the past 30 years, will involve creating more than six hectares of new reed beds and habitat improvements, along with the restoration and conservation of more than 40 buildings of heritage importance.

The first phase of the work will involve heavy machinery being brought in to create new stretches of canals where there are parts missing, during which some parts of the canals will have to be temporarily closed.

Wildlife rescue

There will also be rescue missions going on to ensure that local wildlife is not disturbed and that reeds taken out are replaced.

Project manager James Thompson said: "We want to create a canal that everyone can use and that brings the whole community together. It's going to be a lot of work but we're confident we can do it."

It is predicted that the whole restoration scheme will transform Droitwich and will generate an additional £2.7m a year for the local economy.

Wychavon District Council and Worcestershire County Council have each pledged £1m to the scheme.

The project would create the first weekend touring ring in the country - meaning boaters will be able to complete a 21-mile circular tour from Worcester, via Droitwich, and back to Worcester in a weekend.

Volunteers sign up for restoration work

AN open day giving information and the chance for people to take trips on Droitwich's canals was a resounding success.

Droitwich Canals Trust's open day on the restored lock flight at Hanbury Wharf on Sunday attracted a considerable number of visitors, many of whom put their names down to become volunteers in the future.

"We were delighted with the response to the event, which was well attended. Several new volunteers and members signed up", said Margaret Rowley, chairman of Droitwich Canals Trust.

"The Junction locks had been restored by local volunteers and the nationally organised Waterway Recovery Group with help and advice from British Waterways in 2002.

"Costings for the complete restoration assume more work such as this will be carried out by volunteers, so we were particularly pleased to sign up several new members and volunteers," Ms Rowley added.

The Hanbury locks are of particular historic interest as they show the workings of a sophisticated water conservation system that was developed towards the end of the Canal Age.

The restoration has retained the historic features, providing replica fittings where the originals have been lost, and maintained a high standard of heritage brickwork.

This mechanism was operated on Sunday and explained to visitors.

The community boat Pamela May was used to give free trips down the first two locks throughout the day, and many visitors took advantage of this.

The Trust has recently completed a parking area and ramp giving access to a mooring on the Junction Arm for the Pamela May, which incorporates a lift for disabled people.

Work parties of volunteers are organised from Monday to Saturday.

Anyone wishing to help can contact Volunteers Co-ordinator Denis Pike on 07870 939121.

or James Aylward on 01905 610289 or 07739 447951.