Uttoxeter Canal receives Grant towards Feasibility Funding

The following was announced on 4 December 2008 at an evening view of the Caldon & Uttoxeter Canal Trust's exhibition at Uttoxeter Heritage Centre attended by Uttoxeter Town Mayor Pauline Morrison, Janet Dean MP and a number of Staffordshire County, East Staffs Borough and Uttoxeter Town Councillors.

One of Staffordshire’s lost waterways has been given a helping hand by The Inland Waterways Association (IWA) with a grant of £5,000 to the Caldon and Uttoxeter Canals Trust (CUCT) towards a feasibility study into the restoration of the Uttoxeter Canal. The study will investigate how to restore the canal between Froghall and Uttoxeter, which although closed as long ago as 1849 is considered restorable by many waterways experts.

Uttoxeter Canal Restoration Committee Chairman, and Staffordshire County Councillor for Cheadle & Checkley, Mike Maryon said, “We are indebted to The Inland Waterways Association for this grant. This money comes at a critical time for us as we are discussing with the local Councils (Staffordshire County Council / Staffordshire Moorlands District Council / East Staffordshire Borough Council) the opportunities that regeneration could bring to the 13 mile stretch of Staffordshire canal that runs from Froghall via Oakamoor, Alton, Denstone and Rocester through to Uttoxeter. This extra funding will help us take another step in the Trust’s plans towards re-establishing the former glory of this canal and making people aware of the great benefits that this scheme could bring to local communities.”

Mike continued, “The enthusiasm from the public for this restoration is very strong. This has been noted by all the councils along the route, who are already broadly supportive. Their continuing support is crucial as we work to get the Uttoxeter Canal project included in Local Development Frameworks.”

One of the Trust’s team of volunteers who helped deliver the “Destination Froghall” regeneration project, CUCT Chairman Julie Arnold, commented, “It is true that the reopening of the whole Uttoxeter Canal is an optimistic idea, but it is the sort of scheme that can create significant rural regeneration as can be seen from waterways restoration projects throughout the UK. The Canals Trust already has a proven record in restoration, bringing the Caldon Canal back from dereliction in the 1970’s to be the major tourist attraction it is today, and more recently restoring the first lock and basin of the Uttoxeter Canal at Froghall.”

An exhibition about the Uttoxeter Canal (“Bringing the Uttoxeter Canal Back to Life”) is currently running at Uttoxeter Heritage Centre, Carter Street, Uttoxeter, ST14 8EU, from now until 31 January 2009. The Trust will be 'At Home' at the Centre on Saturday 13th December from 10am to 2pm when members will be available to answer questions for members of the public.


Boats have returned to the Uttoxeter Canal basin at Froghall following its restoration; they could one day again travel throughout the Churnet Valley if plans to restore the Uttoxeter Canal come to fruition. The Caldon & Uttoxter Canals Trust has received a grant from national charity The Inland Waterways Association towards investigating the feasibility of restoration of the navigation and the regeneration opportunities this would bring to the rural communities along the canal's route.
Photo: Tim Lewis