Over £1.4m awarded to Canal and River Trust for major works

The Canal & River Trust has been awarded over £1.4m in funding for seven major heritage projects across the country. This is the second tranche of funding for the trust, which received over £1.6m in the first round last year.

The funding has been awarded via the Heritage Stimulus Fund.

Locks 13 and 15 on the Ashton Canal in Greater Manchester, Ryders Green Locks 1 and 3 in Sandwell, Wigan Locks 73 and 80 and Bingley Five Rise on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal (pictured) will benefit from the funding, plus conservation work along the Hertford Union Canal, at Soulbury in Bucks, and at Marple on the Peak Forest Canal in Stockport.

“Canals are at the heart of the nation’s industrial heritage, forming the transport network that enabled trade and industry to expand more than 200 years ago,” says Richard Parry, chief executive at the Canal & River Trust. “Now they provide valuable health and wellbeing benefits to those who spend time by or on the water, boating, exercising, or simply enjoying the peace of mind that can come from stepping away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. They provide corridors for nature in the heart of our towns and cities.

“Faced with the demands of a changing climate and more extreme weather events, the task of looking after these ageing assets is a greater challenge than ever, so that we keep them in good working order. We are delighted that the importance of our work has been recognised once again by Historic England and the government.

“These Heritage Stimulus Fund grants will be spent during our annual winter works programme, which is essential to ensure our canals and rivers can continue to provide a valuable resource to the public.”

Duncan Wilson, Historic England’s chief executive, says: “Funding from the government’s Culture Recovery Fund is hugely welcome at a time when the people and organisations who look after our vast and varied array of heritage urgently need support to carry out essential repairs. Heritage is a fragile eco-system, with an amazing cast of characters who keep our historic places alive, with specialist skills that take time to learn and experience to perfect. These grants will protect their livelihoods, as they use their expertise to help our heritage survive.”