Uttoxeter Canal – Trust report restoration of the Churnet Valley waterway is feasible
The Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust (CUCT) has
taken delivery of the “Uttoxeter Canal Restoration Outline Feasibility
Study.” The study was commissioned by Staffordshire County Council
and the Trust to: “determine whether the restoration of the Uttoxeter
Canal between the Caldon Canal at Froghall to the north and Uttoxeter Gravel
Pits to the south is a feasible project.”
California Lock from above
The report, which has taken some six months to compile and runs to over 70 pages, was undertaken by consulting engineers Halcrow Group Ltd. Challenges such as restoring the canal through the villages of Oakamoor and Denstone – where the original line is built over - are explored, with various possible solutions considered. The study also looks at environmental issues along the route and the potential economic impact of restoration. Finally, it estimates the cost of the project.
Halcrow concluded that the restoration is a viable project from an engineering point of view. There are various obstructions, but none are insurmountable. Cost estimates for full restoration and new construction works are in the region of £90m, however much of the restoration work could be undertaken by volunteers.
Councillor for East Staffordshire - Uttoxeter Rural and Leader of Staffordshire County Council, Philip Atkins commented: “Having supported this project through the Local Member Initiative Scheme I was particularly excited to hear of the tourism and regeneration opportunities identified in the Outline Feasibility Study. The historic environment of Staffordshire recently made the news with the discovery of the Staffordshire Hoard; and has now turned up another gem in the Churnet Valley. As a resident close to the line of the canal I look forward to seeing the project move forward to the next stage and working with the Trust to make sure that the community takes full advantage of this remarkable opportunity.”
CUCT’s Uttoxeter Canal Restoration Committee Chairman, Mike Maryon, said: “The Trust would like to thank Halcrow, as well as Staffordshire County Council, Staffs Moorlands District Council, East Staffordshire Borough Council and the Inland Waterways Association for their support and guidance during the project. We are very excited to read the range of opportunities identified through restoration and know that this study will help us greatly in our aspirations to bring the canal back through the Churnet Valley and on to Uttoxeter.”
Bridge 70
Plans are being drawn up for restoration projects by volunteers to conserve existing canal features and also to explore how inaccessible parts of the canal can be opened up. As the Trust works toward restoration of the canal itself, its initial aim is to create a walking route along the length of the Uttoxeter Canal utilising as much of the original towpath as possible, this will link into existing footpaths paths from Oakamoor to Denstone, and into the Caldon Canal towpath routes through to Leek, Rudyard and Stoke-on-Trent.
For most of their route these existing and proposed canal paths run in parallel to the River Churnet and the Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust has long advocated that their towpaths form the basis of a Churnet Valley Way – the waterway life-blood that connects into a wealth of trails in this beautiful valley reaching through the heart of the Staffordshire Moorlands into rural East Staffordshire.
The study enables the Trust to demonstrate to local people
and authorities that restoring the canal in their area would bring huge
benefits to them and the surrounding communities of the Staffordshire Moorlands
and East Staffordshire, as well as attracting considerable numbers of visitors
to the district.
The waterway Study also considers the latest proposals to restore a rail
link to Alton; the engineering consultants suggest that appropriate approach
is for the Canal Trust and Railway company to work together to develop and
promote their schemes to their mutual benefit. If restoration of the Oakamoor
to Alton section were to be carried out for both projects as one single
design with a single construction contract, there is likely to be significant
cost savings.
East Staffordshire Borough Council’s Mayor, Councillor Geoff Morrison, whose ward is in Uttoxeter said, “I am absolutely delighted with the outcome of the feasibility study and cannot wait until restoration starts. Putting Uttoxeter back on the canal map will boost tourism with many potential benefits to the local community, as well as just the economic ones. I would also like to congratulate the Caldon and Uttoxeter Canals Trust for their hard work, vision and commitment that has made this happen - it just shows what the community can do.”
The study is featured in a major new exhibition at Uttoxeter Heritage Centre; and has also been
published in full on this website.