Uttoxeter Canal article

The Uttoxeter Canal is the subject of an article in the latest issue of the East Staffordshire Borough Council newspaper. This council produced monthly newsletter goes out to around 50,000 homes in the borough of East Staffordshire, which includes Uttoxeter and Rocester. The full text is reproduced below:

A campaign to bring Uttoxeter’s canals back to life is gathering momentum thanks to the hard work of a local restoration group.

The Caldon and Uttoxeter Canals Trust, supported by local councils like East Staffordshire Borough Council, are looking to regenerate a 13-mile stretch of Staffordshire canal that runs from Froghall, near Stoke-on-Trent, to Uttoxeter via Oakamoor, Alton, Denstone and Rocester.

Enthusiasts formed the Caldon Canal Society in 1963 in response to notices closing the Caldon canal and it’s arms, including the Uttoxeter canal, after traffic declined in the 1950s. Volunteers began the restoration work and in 1974 the Caldon Canal was re-opened thanks to a partnership between the group, Staffordshire County Council, Stoke City Council and the British Waterways Board.

Now with a new title to reflect the group’s extended aims the Caldon and Uttoxeter Canals Trust are now looking to re-establish the former glory of this canal and make people aware of the benefits the scheme could bring to the local communities.

“The Trust’s objectives are to preserve the line of the Uttoxeter canal, promote the creation of a walking route along the length of the canal using as much of the original towpath as possible and investigate the feasibility of restoring to navigation some or all of the Uttoxeter Canal,” explained Mike Maryon, Chairman of the Uttoxeter Restoration Committee for the Trust.

“The project is something we have been trying to nurture for the last two years and I am glad to say it is now catching the imagination of the community.

“We give talks to most local groups like the WI, Rotary and others and the feedback we have received is very supportive.”

The Trust received a boost at the start of the year when the Stafford Boat Club presented them with £2,660 and is at the stage of trying to raise funding for an outline feasibility study. All Parish Councils along the route are being briefed and consulted in September.
“The dedication, enthusiasm and hard work of the Uttoxeter Committee is the real factor behind all the work achieved so far,” added Mike.

“The one thing that unites us all is a passionate belief the Uttoxeter Canal, once restored, will contribute to the social, economic, cultural and environmental wealth of both the East Staffordshire and Staffordshire Moorlands area and the community it navigates.”

The Trust is also looking for new volunteers to join in the campaign who can contribute their skills, commitment and enthusiasm. Anyone who would like to find out more can visit the website at www.cuct.org.uk or email Mike at mike.maryon@gmail.com.