MPS Support cross-border vision for canal
The Montgomery Canal Regeneration has taken a significant step forward, with MPs from Wales and England backing an ambitious initiative for the waterway to become a leisure and tourism magnet providing benefits both sides of the border.
Montgomery Liberal Democrat Lembit Opik and North Shropshire Conservative Owen Paterson gave their support for the cross border vision when they attended ‘Regeneration of the Montgomery Canal – the Next Steps’. Trust Development Manager Kevin Bell outlined the extensive benefits an imaginative approach to delivering the project could bring. This message was enthusiastically endorsed by both MPs. Lembit Opik was particularly positive about the visitor economy potential of the regenerated canal and the opportunity for canalside economic development initiatives. Similarly, Owen Paterson declared: “I am a very strong supporter of the restoration of the whole length of the Montgomery canal. Linking up Llanymynech would create enormous potential for tourism involving the Roman archaeology and industrial archaeology; with good prospects for the heritage railway, Oswestry could become a major tourist destination.” The event was staged at the recently completed Llanymynech Limeworks Heritage Area, with delegates from potential funders, local politicians and community representatives. They heard a compelling case for completing restoration of the Montgomery Canal through Shropshire and Powys, with benefits including:
• Creating over 340 new jobs;
• Generating over one and a half million visits to the area;
• Stimulating over £20 million visitor expenditure in local economies.
Added to the heritage and conservation significance of a restored Montgomery Canal it all adds up to an overwhelming case to complete the restoration. Now it’s down to brass tacks – and the drive to secure the necessary funding that will see this vision of prosperity realised is underway. The Montgomery Canal Partnership is working with a wide range of potential supporters including the Regional Development Agency (Advantage West Midlands), Heritage Lottery Fund, Big Lottery, Powys County Council, Welsh Assembly Government, Shropshire County Council and Oswestry Borough Council to continue the canal restoration. Kevin Bell says this regeneration model goes beyond the traditional case for waterway restoration, by basing its arguments on sound economic research. “We have made a forceful case for the Montgomery as a powerful agent for economic prosperity on both sides of the border. By detailing the economic advantages in terms of increased jobs and visitors, we are demonstrating its value beyond traditional waterway users,” said Mr Bell. “And by setting the regeneration within a wider social and economic context, we are confident that our partners will share in these aspirations and work with us to secure the funding necessary to drive this project,” he added. For Shropshire, the next challenge is completing restoration to Llanymynech. This will unlock significant benefits locally through links with the community’s Heritage Area and Cambrian Railway, in addition to sympathetic and sustainable canal-side development like mooring basins, tourism facilities and potential for sensitively designed mixed live and work properties. In Powys the first goal is completing the restoration of Vyrnwy Aqueduct, a major step towards enabling the canal to be linked with the previously restored section around Welshpool. Achieving this will see this beautiful waterway restored to a vibrant, living leisure corridor, contributing to the economic and social prosperity of communities along its length.
|
