£20m canal revival plan

A £20 million restoration scheme for the Sankey Canal from Fiddler’s Ferry Marina to Warrington’s western boundary with Halton is being submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Warrington and Halton councils have got together to bid for lottery funding for the project which would re-open the canal – believed to be England’s oldest.
The two councils would have to contribute about £1.5 million each to the scheme.
It is believe the scheme – known as the Sankey Interlocks Project – would restore and enhance the area and create new recreation and outdoor facilities, attracting visitors to the area.
The Sankey Canal Restoration Society (SCARS), the Catalyst Science Discovery Centre at Widnes, Fiddlers Ferry Power Station and Fiddlers Ferry Boats are working with the two councils.
Ideas under discussion include pleasure boat trips along the canal, a café and visitor centre at the Catalyst Centre and another at Fiddler’s Ferry Marina.
Town Hall chiefs at Warrington have authorised officers to progress the scheme, working with officers from Halton with a view to making a bid for lottery funding.
If the bid is successful,
But councillors at Warrington have been reminded that the existing capital programme has made no allowance for the project and if the bid was successful it would be necessary to reprioritise existing schemes scheduled for the period 2013/14 ti 2016/17.