Wraps are taken off Whitchurch canal revamp plans

This is the latest glimpse of major £500,000 plans to revamp part of the Shropshire Union Canal in Whitchurch.

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

They say that the work would bring canal boat users nearer to the town centre and become a tourist attraction for Whitchurch.

Trust members estimate construction costs of the basin at about £475,000.

It includes landscaping, creating steps and a pedestrian ramp, altering car parking and surfacing, and excavating soil.

Plans can be viewed at www.whitchurchwaterway.org.uk and people are being invited to make comments about them before the end of January.

David Torrens, trust member, said: "It doesn't look like we have created something industrial, but rather something that fits in well with the landscape.

"There are some minor issues with the designs that we will look to address, such as footpaths and access from the car park to the basin.

"We want people to comment on the plans, especially those living nearby.

"We will give it a couple of weeks for people to be able to comment if they wish and we will discuss any feedback we receive at our next meeting.

"We hope a planning application will follow shortly, but if we receive a lot of comments which conflict with each other then it could take longer."

Initial plans were available at the Blackberry Fair last year which were greeted with a very positive response.

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

The scheme initially won the backing of trust members at a meeting held in 2010.

Members had five schemes to consider, including a multi-million pound water park on the canal arm.