Plan for canal revamp floated (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Plan for canal revamp floated

9:14am Thursday 22nd March 2007 in Swindon By Gazette Reporter

Councillors have been briefed on the latest plans to construct a canal in Swindon.

At a meeting of the council's environment and leisure committee, Ken Oliver, the chief executive of Wilts and Berks Canal Trusts, told councillors about his meetings with Wroughton engineering company Halcrow, which may provide the answers to problems with design.

Mr Oliver said: "We have told the committee where we stand and what we have done, and we are now looking at our next step."

That will involve more meetings with consultants to expand on the outline design.

The route being backed by the canal trust would see the canal form a major part of the town's regeneration.

The proposal is to have a canal basin at the Exchange and Arena sites in the town centre.

Mr Oliver said: "The issue is to find some solutions for the proposed route. Traffic is one area of concern and of course issues are well known regarding canals in urban environments."

He said the committee meeting had been positive, but was eager to make progress.

"With the issues involved it's not a decision where you can just snap your fingers and see it happen overnight."

It is hoped a feasibility report would be delivered by June, offering further detail.

Coun Peter Greenhalgh, Swindon Council's cabinet member for local transport, planning and environment, said: "It was good to hear what the trust had to say and we are fully behind making this vision a reality."

Mr Oliver said: "There's a clear political will to deliver the canal and we hope the engineers will find solutions to make it happen."

The route to the town centre would be across Kingshill Road, from where the canal has already been restored, along Faringdon Road, running in front of Faringdon Road Park and the Railway Village and finally along the pedestrianised area of Faringdon Road.