A few weeks ago I spoke to the Lyth Valley Discussion group and to the Kendal South Westmorland Rotary club. Both wanted information about the on-going action with the Lancaster Canal.

What is becoming more and more apparent is the growing feeling that we should concentrate on joining up with the main canal system, either starting at Tewitfield and heading north, or looking south to join up with Tewitfield.

Perhaps this would involve a Falkirk wheel with an M6 crossing and a further lock.

People are well aware we have a good five miles of usable canal, taking in Holme and Burton, and would like to see this being brought to life. And it doesn’t take much imagination to realise how this would open up this area.

One Rotarian was involved in the restoration in Birmingham, and stated this type of development needed to be commercially led.

I pointed out we had contacted Costain, working on the Heysham link. They were interested in helping, providing it was on the Lancashire section but, after looking at the Tewitfield section, found the job would have problems beyond what was feasible on an ad-hoc basis.

This tells us there is intense interest in the canal, and that people in leading positions would be willing to help.

With the disastrous damage to the Stainton Aqueduct, is it not time to look at the Tewitfield blockage and try to get more support for crossing the M6 and extending the canal by about a further five miles, and then beyond?

Once we have achieved this and got Tewitfield joined up to Crooklands, public pressure will increase, and open up the way to Kendal.

A further thing we need to consider is making our base for the canal boat Waterwitch more workable. Millness would be ideal, for there is plenty of land to build an attractive visitor centre with more parking. I advocate running the water supply to the corner of the building to encourage visiting boats.

But Crooklands could be developed, and we need serious consultation with Canal and River Trust to consider this.

Frank Sanderson

Public Relations Officer of the Lancaster Canal Trust