Tourism-boost hopes with canal extension
COUNCIL CASH HELP WILL SEE COMPLETION OF WATERWAY SCHEME
PROJECT to extend the Ashby Canal all the way to Measham can be completed, thanks to a £20,000 grant.
The 200-year-old canal is being improved to boost tourism in the area and Ashby Canal Association, which is behind the project, has been given a grant from North West Leicestershire District Council.
The money will help the latest step in restoring the canal with an extension and a new footpath and cycleway.
The 200-metre extension will connect the canal at Snarestone Wharf to Measham, which it is hoped will provide significant economic and social benefits to the district, the National Forest and the surrounding area. It will also mean a better place to stay for visitors travelling along the canal by boat, who will also benefit from the new footpath and cycleway connecting Snarestone Wharf with Moira and Measham.
The grant of £20,000 will be added to the association’s £52,000 and that should cover the £72,000 cost of completing the project.
Peter Oakden, chairman of Ashby Canal Association, said: “The grant from the district council will give us an opportunity to expand on the great work we’ve already done here at Snarestone Wharf.
“To get the canal to Measham will be a brilliant achievement and will help to bring terrific life into the village and essentially become the hub.
“The extension will open up other avenues for visitors as they won’t just visit the canal to explore the great outdoors, but they’ll be able come here and carry
to Measham to do their shopping or grab a bite to eat.”
It is hoped the restoration of the canal will also generate opportunities for employment and skills, as well as providing a nice place for people in the district to visit. The project is due to be completed over the summer months and is expected to take eight weeks to complete in total. Councillor Tony Gillard, from the council, said: “We’re really pleased to be supporting Ashby Canal Association in its latest phase of the canal’s restoration plans as it supports the council’s ambition to provide a green gateway to the National ForA
To get the canal to Measham will help to bring terrific life into the village and essentially become the hub Peter Oakden
est. Snarestone Wharf is not only a great spot for visitors but it also plays an important part in the heritage in North West Leicestershire and has helped to shape character and identity of the district.
“The exciting plans will make Snarestone Wharf an even more attractive place to visit and will help to keep our communities well-conon nected, improve tourism, support businesses and help local people into jobs.”
The project follows a massive repair job earlier this year by Leicestershire County Council to rebuild a section of the canal near Snarestone after the bank broke, emptying a huge quantity of water into fields and killing hundreds of fish.