Date: 06/03/2008
Whaley Bridge Regeneration Partnership is granting £7,000 for improvements at Whaley Bridge.
The funding, from High Peak Borough Council's Economic Development budget, will improve the canal towpath between Whaley Bridge and Buxworth - helping to create a more user-friendly route.
The funding will also contribute towards creating formal access points to the towpath at Tesco and the Grade II listed Horse Tunnel; providing new signage, benches and allowing walks to woodland.
Improving the canal towpath at Whaley Bridge will benefit local residents by making the canal a truly recreational facility helping to attract visitors to the area, and improving the local economy.
The improvements will form part of the £583,000 Destination Bugsworth Project - an East Midlands Development Agency (emda) backed scheme - which will create a pilot waterbus service between Whaley Bridge and Bugsworth Basin, new visitor facilities at Bugsworth and information signs along the canal.
Nick Smith, External Funding Officer at British Waterways, said: "The support of Whaley Bridge Regeneration Partnership has been critical to making this project happen and is reflective of the established partnership working taking place in the town."
Councillor Linda Leather, Chair of Whaley Bridge Regeneration Partnership, said: "Each year High Peak Borough Council makes funding available toward projects in the town that support its economic development.
"The Regeneration Partnership considered the proposals at length and are pleased to provide funding support specifically towards enhancements at the Whaley Bridge end of the Canal. This is an exciting project that will benefit the whole town.
Works to the canal towpath are due to start in September 2008, and follow widespread consultation with local groups and waterway users. Investigation works at the Horse Tunnel are due to start in March 2008.
For further information contact Nick Smith at British Waterways on 01942 405 700 or Lawrence Milner at High Peak Borough Council on 0845 129 77 77 / 01298 28400 ext 3528.