“If the plans are approved, work could begin as early as next year.”
PLANS for the restoration of Melksham’s canal route took a step closer to fruition when they were presented to the town’s area board recently.
The Wiltshire and Berkshire Canal Trust has been planning, fundraising, and campaigning to have the canal and towpath rebuilt through Melksham town centre, as it was before being officially abandoned in 1914.
Following a recent presentation to Melksham Area Board, volunteers believe the plan is getting close to becoming reality.
Project manager Paul Lenaerts said the plans are approved, work could begin as early as next year. The Trust are hopeful that the project should take six years to complete if there are no major setbacks.
There will also be plans for a potential marina, wildlife sanctuary, campsite, and possibly a hotel. The trust will elaborate on these in the coming weeks.
Paul Lenaerts, a member of the trust for seven years, said, “The trust have been exploring this restoration since 1995 and before, but we think we’re getting close now.
“Support is always growing and there’s a huge following for the project. As time goes by more and more people are attending trust and council meetings, and becoming enthusiastic about the project. Word is getting out, and now the biggest question people ask me is ‘when will it happen?’!
“Fundraising is always an issue because we need about £20million to make this work, but the trust is making slow but sure progress with fundraising and grant applications.
“Waitrose’s green tokens scheme was a huge boost; we received about 70% of the tokens when we had a box there.
“There are many assessments to be made, environmental hoops to be jumped through, and money to be raised, but we’re hoping to get consent for the project this year.
“The canal and towpath would increase the visitor rates in the town hugely, and benefit a lot of people including local businesses, boaters, cyclists, and walkers. Watch this space!”
The Melksham branch want to build a canal link, which would connect the restored Wilts and Berks Canal in Lacock with the Kennet and Avon in Semington. The link would channel boats from Semington past Berryfield, to the west of the Western Way to the Challeymead bridge where they would join the River Avon and pass under the town bridge and up a new loch built beside the weir. They would then follow the river to meet Lacock’s branch of the Wilts and Berks Canal.
The route would be restricted by weather, and would likely be closed for many of the colder months – narrow boats would be unable to travel on high, fast moving river water with strong currents. However, restoring the original route is now impossible because of the Hampton Park West industrial estate and large sections in the town have been built on.
To find out more about the Wiltshire and Berkshire Canal Trust (WCBT) and their past, present, and future, go to www.wbct.org.uk.
