Sir Gavin Williamson has voiced his support for increased measures to preserve canals in Staffordshire and beyond.
Sir Gavin has put his weight behind a campaign to keep local canals alive by calling for changes in proposed levels of government support. Under current plans, funding for canals and waterways will see a decline in funding, which will impact their navigability as well as affecting tourism and the local economy.
He will be meeting with the Chief Executive of the Canal and River Trust as well as the Chair of the Shrewsbury and North Wales branch of the Inland Waterways Association to discuss what can be done to prevent historic waterways from falling into disrepair.
Staffordshire is home to a number of landmark canals which form an important part of the region’s rich industrial heritage. These include the Trent and Mersey Canal, which runs through Stone and was Britain’s first long-distance canal when it opened in 1777. Similarly, the shorter Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal was essential in linking the Potteries with ports such as Bristol.
Nowadays, these canals offer a green corridor through Staffordshire, and are local hotspots for a variety of tourist activities, including boating, cycling and hiking. They also boast sights such as the Brindley Aqueduct in Great Haywood on the Trent and Mersey Canal, and The Bratch in Wombourne on the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal.
Sir Gavin said: “Canals are not only an important part of Staffordshire’s history: they also provide access to nature, create many jobs, and allow tourism to flourish. We are incredibly lucky to have canals such as the Trent and Mersey Canal, the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal, and the Shropshire Union Canal. These waterways are a testament to the key role Staffordshire played in this country’s industrial development, and we cannot stand by as they fall into disrepair. I will continue to raise these issues within Parliament until a solution is found.”
