03/11/2006 Uttoxeter Canal Receives Visit From British Waterways Regeneration Director
Derek Cochrane the Regeneration Director of British Waterways will be visiting the Uttoxeter Canal sites on the afternoon of Monday 6th November 2006 to meet the Chairman of the Uttoxeter Canal Restoration Committee, Staffordshire County Councillor for Cheadle & Checkley Mike Maryon.
Cllr Maryon said, “This meeting is to discuss the possible opportunities that regeneration could bring to the 13 mile stretch of canal that runs from Froghall via Oakamore, Alton, Denstone, and Rocester through to Uttoxeter. It is another step in the Trust’s progression towards re-establishing the former glory of this canal and making people aware of the great benefits that this scheme could bring to the local community. These benefits are tremendous as it would improve on existing local resources of heritage and wildlife, whilst also providing a means for rural regeneration of the locality bringing a host of social, economic, cultural and environmental rewards to this beautiful part of Staffordshire.”
Since the opening of the first lock of the Uttoxeter Canal at Froghall Basin local interest in restoring the thirteen mile canal has continued to soar and talks have been held with Staffordshire County Council and Staffordshire Moorlands District Council and an initial meeting is being held with East Staffordshire Borough Council this month. The canal also recently received a visit from the all volunteer ‘Waterways Recovery Group’ who are exploring with the Trust an option to clean up and cosmetically improve an element of the route that has become overgrown.