Bolton: Canal repair under threat

Improvements to the local canal network are in jeopardy because of cuts to Government funding - reports The Bolton News.

Regeneration work on the Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal is described as being at risk as British Waterways prepares for a £35 million shortfall in Whitehall funding by 2011.

A report from the Parliamentary Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee voices "extreme concern" about the scaling back of public funding to British Waterways, which is responsible for 2,200 miles of rivers and canals nationwide.

John Fletcher, chairman of both the Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal Society and the International Waterways Association, said: "This report identifies the elements that government needs to address - one of which is the threat to waterway regeneration by funding cuts.

"Money is tight but these canals fulfil many government objectives such as educations, green routes, healthy living and jobs.

"The Manchester, Bury and Bolton Canal has always depended on third-party funding but British Waterways needs the cushion of funding which Defra is depriving it of.

"I look forward to working with Defra and British Waterways to work out a new architecture of funding to resolve current problems."

Mr Fletcher will meet with senior civil servants later this week.

British Waterways is already under pressure after shortfalls forced it to scrap £5.6 million of planned refurbishment work on stretches including the Ribble Link, which joins the Lancaster and Leeds-Liverpool canals via the River Douglas.

Waterways Minister Jonathan Shaw said: "We will now work with British Waterways closely in carefully considering the committee's recommendations, but I can say that I am committed to ensuring there is good communication and effective working relationships between Defra ministers and officials at British Waterways."

The committee called for the National Audit Office to review conflicting claims about the state of British Waterways' finances.