Uttoxeter Canal Feasibility Study Commences
Consulting Engineers, Halcrow Group Limited have been appointed to carry out an outline feasibility study for the possible restoration of the Uttoxeter Canal. The appointment comes following investment from Caldon and Uttoxeter Canals Trust, supported by Staffordshire County Council. The study will investigate how to restore the canal between Froghall and Uttoxeter, which was closed as long ago as 1849 but is still considered restorable by many because of the rural nature of the route. The commission will cover indentifying the principal difficulties of the restoration, as well as the possibility of restoration of the existing route and the feasibility of a proposed realigned route or alternatives. The work will also explore the best means and sequence of restoration works. In addition the study will importantly explore the potential benefits to local community, as well the potential economic benefits, the outline environmental impacts and a budget cost estimate for the restoration.
A milepost in its original position beside the canal
between Froghall and Oakamoor
The bed of the canal is full of trees in this area
Mike Maryon the Chairman of the Trust’s Uttoxeter
Restoration Committee said, “This study will provide the vision that
shapes the future of the Uttoxeter Canal and the regeneration of the surrounding
area. It will answer many of the concerns of about the development and provide
the future direction of the restoration scheme. We are pleased to be working
with Halcrow, who were selected from a shortlist of three consultancy teams
on the basis of both the quality and cost of their bid. They bring flair,
experience and strong management skills to this project that will have economic,
social and environmental benefits for residents, visitors and businesses
in Staffordshire from Froghall through Oakamore, Alton, Denstone, and Rocester
and of course Uttoxeter, as well as to adjacent towns such as Cheadle. We
are now working with our partners from the Inland Waterways Association,
the County Council and the Staffordshire Moorlands District and East Staffordshire
Borough Councils to complete this study later this summer.”
Richard Higgs, Corporate Director of Development Services for Staffordshire
County Council remarked, "Staffordshire County Council is happy to
support this outline feasibility study looking into the restoration of the
Uttoxeter Canal. Staffordshire already has more miles of canal than any
other shire county and as such recognises the benefits that schemes such
as this could have for rural communities as well as for the wider visitor
economy and environment, especially with the restored canals potential benefits
concerning economic regeneration."
Paul Williams, Market Sector Manager - Water Engineering and Management at Halcrow commented, “Halcrow are delighted to have been appointed to carry out this study on what promises to be an interesting and exciting project in a wonderful part of the country. Halcrow are always pleased to be involved in projects that can bring such large benefits to the communities through which they run and which can sustain and improve the quality of people’s lives. We have a long history of working with canal trusts and local authorities to help them realise their ambitions and hope to use this experience to the benefit of this scheme. We look forward to working with both the Trust and the councils.”
Bridge 70, near to Crumpwood
Mike Maryon concluded, “The enthusiasm from the
public for this restoration is very strong and has been noted by all the
councils along the route, who are broadly supportive, which is crucial because
we need to get the project included in the local planning framework, so
it will not be set back by any obstructions that may be given planning permission
in the future. It is true that the reopening of the canal is an optimistic
idea but it is the sort of scheme that will create rural regeneration of
the area as can be seen by other projects of this sort. The Canal Trust
already has a track record in restoration as it brought back the Caldon
Canal from dereliction to become the major tourist attraction it is today.”