Canal project moving in the right direction

IT’S full steam ahead for the restoration of the canal as detailed plans  for the project have now been submitted to Wiltshire Council’s planning department. 

Wiltshire and Berkshire Canal Trust have submitted a 12,000 page document to the planning department, which includes various studies to support the project.

Trust secretary Paul Lenaerts said, “We submitted a planning application in 2012 but it was a bit light on detail so we’ve spent the last three years filling in the gaps. We have prepared all the necessary information and details of various studies and are confident that we have addressed all the issues.

“Planning consent is a big step forward, but there’s a list of other things we have to do. Realistically I think work will begin in a couple of years or possibly more.”

Mayor  Terri Welch said, “If all goes according to plan the application should be determined in May. This will have a large impact on our town, and we look forward to seeing boats along the river.”

A summary of the document will be available to the public online shortly. For more information visit www.wbct.org.uk