A £20 million restoration scheme for the Sankey Canal from Fiddler’s Ferry Marina to Warrington’s western boundary with Halton is being submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Warrington and Halton councils have got together to bid for lottery funding for the project which would re-open the canal – believed to be England’s oldest.
The two councils would have to contribute about £1.5 million each to the scheme.
It is believe the scheme – known as the Sankey Interlocks Project – would restore and enhance the area and create new recreation and outdoor facilities, attracting visitors to the area.
The Sankey Canal Restoration Society (SCARS), the Catalyst Science Discovery Centre at Widnes, Fiddlers Ferry Power Station and Fiddlers Ferry Boats are working with the two councils.
Ideas under discussion include pleasure boat trips along the canal, a café and visitor centre at the Catalyst Centre and another at Fiddler’s Ferry Marina.
Town Hall chiefs at Warrington have authorised officers to progress the scheme, working with officers from Halton with a view to making a bid for lottery funding.
If the bid is successful,
But councillors at Warrington have been reminded that the existing capital programme has made no allowance for the project and if the bid was successful it would be necessary to reprioritise existing schemes scheduled for the period 2013/14 ti 2016/17.
A £20 million restoration scheme for the Sankey Canal from Fiddler's
Ferry Marina to Warrington's western boundary with Halton is being
submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund.
£20m canal revival plan
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This section of the canal is totally dependent on a water supply from Fiddlers Ferry Power Station. What happens when the power station closes? Any development needs to secure a permanant water supply. The section of canal between Old Hall and Fiddlers Ferry in Sankey Valley Park should be the priority for restoration as much of the canal walls have collapsed. It is fenced off with steel fencing and is an eyesore!
I’m pretty sure this will be taken into account when the restoration is done. It will be nice to see an eyesore be made into eye friendly.