Scores turn out to save canals

Canal supporters turned out to protest against waterways budget cuts.

The Save Our Waterways (SOW) campaign group staged a protest against government funding cuts near Pontycysllte Aqueduct, Llangollen.

More than 100 people turned out to rally public support against the cuts.

Campaigners say the picturesque network of canals and navigable rivers is in danger of falling into disrepair as further budget cuts are in the pipeline.

There has already been £15million cut from the waterways budget in less than two years, and campaigners fear essential works will be delayed indefinitely.

Mike Hughes, campaigner, said: "Uncared-for waterways are less attractive, less popular and less safe, and this shouldn't be allowed to happen.

"We suspect the cuts have already put back by several years British Waterways' government-endorsed target to remove its £119 million backlog of maintenance by 2012.

"In doing so, they have made the 200-year-old network more vulnerable to failure," he added.

Campaigners were joined by Clwyd South MP Martyn Jones at Trevor Basin during Saturday's protest.