A STAGGERING 13,000 people have backed a petition to show there is support for restoring Chesterfield’s canal.
Less than a year ago the Heritage Lottery Fund reportedly said the
waterway’s mammoth rennovation did not hold much heritage value or
public support.
Now that has been proved otherwise by the Chesterfield Canal Trust petition.
The canal stretches from the River Trent to Chesterfield, through tranquil countryside to what will be the multi-million pound Waterside development.
In total restoring 20 miles, with nine left to close the gap, will
cost around £32m. Funding is being sought in chunks and the petition
will help bids by showing how much support there is for the massive
initiative.
Latest progress includes a 200m stretch being rennovated at Mill Green and Staveley’s new canal basin.
The Heritage and Lottery Fund said discussions are ongoing about the
project’s development and support that may be offered in future.
Over £91.4m has been awarded for more than 215 projects on canal or river navigations by the fund.
