How £500,000 Whitchurch canal revamp could look

This is how a £500,000 revamp of a major section of the Shropshire Union Canal could look.

Members of the Whitchurch Waterway Trust have taken the wraps off their proposals to extend the canal and create a new basin with moorings.

The project would bring canal boat users nearer to the town centre and become a tourist attraction.

Plans were available for the public to comment on at the town's Blackberry Fair at the weekend. Trust members said the scheme was met with a very positive response from residents.

A presentation of the project was also put to Whitchurch Town Council last week and trust members are hoping the authority will support them with funding.

David Torrens, trust member, said: "We were very happy with the positive response we got at the weekend's event.

"They said they were happy to see something was being done and thought the project was very achievable.

"Our next step is to put together comments we have received and then we will have to look at the design brief.

"We hope to make a planning application soon. I am sure the council will help us as much as they can."

Trust members estimate construction costs of the basin could reach about £475,000 l.

Comments and suggestions the trust has received so far about the project include a request to consider measures of controlling litter, adjust the shape slightly to make boat manoeuvring easier and provide facilities for moored boats.

The scheme won the backing of trust members at a meeting held last year. Before the meeting members had five potential schemes to consider.

Comments about the proposals can also be sent by email to comments@whitchurchwaterway.org.uk or by post to Hon-Secretary, Whitchurch Waterway Trust, Chemistry Farm, Whitchurch SY13 1BZ.

For more information about the trust visit the website www.whitchurchwaterway.org.uk

By James Pugh