MP leads canal battle
An MP is spearheading the fight to re-open canals in the area which could bring a boost for trade and tourism to the Kidderminster area. An MP is spearheading the fight to re-open canals in the area which could bring a boost for trade and tourism to the Kidderminster area. Peter Luff has called for people to deluge local councillors with letters and messages of support for the ambitious project which could see a "cruising ring" created for boaters. He firmly believes that if the scheme goes ahead it would bring tourists flooding into north Worcestershire, and in turn boost trade and tourism for the whole of the area. This would include the Wyre Forest which has the world-class attractions of the Severn Valley Railway and the West Midland Safari Park for visitors. His plea for people to press for the go-ahead comes after a series of objections have been put forward, mainly from environmental groups, to the re-opening of the Droitwich Canal and Droitwich Barge Canal. Read the full story in the Express & Star.
Peter Luff has called for people to deluge local councillors with letters and messages of support for the ambitious project which could see a "cruising ring" created for boaters.
He firmly believes that if the scheme goes ahead it would bring tourists flooding into north Worcestershire, and in turn boost trade and tourism for the whole of the area.
This would include the Wyre Forest which has the world-class attractions of the Severn Valley Railway and the West Midland Safari Park for visitors.
His plea for people to press for the go-ahead comes after a series of objections have been put forward, mainly from environmental groups, to the re-opening of the Droitwich Canal and Droitwich Barge Canal.
Mr Luff, Conservative MP for Mid-Worcestershire, said: "There have been few letters of support for the re-opening of the canals but many objections.
"I don't underestimate the need to address any environmental objections but I am sure they can all be dealt with by suitable conditions on the planning approval."
"My concern is that there is an imbalance in the representations received and that it will be difficult for councillors to approve the application as quickly as is necessary to deliver the huge benefits for the whole area that will come from the re-opening.
"Local people must make one last effort to bring this dream to reality."
Mr Luff has also said he is concerned about the position being taken by the Environment Agency to the re-opening.
He has written to Dr John Adams, West Area Manager of the Environment Agency, about his concerns that it has raised three apparently very serious objections to the scheme.
The project, which could cost £11 million, would see a 21-mile crusing ring in the county from the River Severn, south of Stourport in the west to the Worcester and Birmingham Canal in the east.
