GOVERNMENT URGED NOT TO CUT FUNDING FOR RESTORATION OF CANALS LIKE CHESTERFIELD

5.21.00pm GMT Tue 28th Oct 2008

Speaking in a Parliamentary debate today, Liberal Democrat MP for Chesterfield Paul Holmes told the Minister how:

"A magnificent group of local volunteers have in thirty years taken the Chesterfield canal to the brink of restoration and linkage back into the national waterways network

"Only two weeks ago JCB's began excavating a new canal basin on the site of the 19th century canal terminal. This is the start of the massive private sector redevelopment of extensive derelict land at the heart of Chesterfield.

"The canal was a stagnant ditch when I first lived at Tapton overlooking it, in 1979. As a local history teacher I used to take my pupils through chest high undergrowth looking for the traces of the canal.

"The modern restoration is entirely due to the fantastic work of dedicated local volunteers in the Chesterfield Canal Trust who since 1976 have been working and fighting to achieve their dream.

"The Chesterfield canal is already a linear lung for the town with walkers, anglers, cyclists, joggers and birdwatchers all thronging the towpath.

"Already the private sector have been drawn in to build housing by the canal at Brimington and Tapton. Now the huge 'waterside' development has begun.

Paul told the Minister

"That cuts and threats of cuts to British waterways funding must be reversed. Investment in our canal network, improved quality of life, stimulated healthy lifestyles, fostered economic regeneration. It is important for our heritage too, all the stone used to build the Houses of Parliament in the 1830s began its journey to Westminster by travelling down the Chesterfield canal."