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Grant award for new Ashby Canal Trail from Snarestone to Measham.
The Inland Waterways Association has announced the award of £10,000 to a joint venture between the Trust and the Ashby Canal Association for the creation of a footpath, as part of its 'Waterways in Progress' project. They were particularly looking for projects which could start soon and make a noticeable difference. The award pot was a total of £100,000, so they were not looking for long lengths of canal but something with a specific use. Specific impacts they were looking for included regeneration benefits, health and creating community spaces.
The path will follow the new approved route for the canal, providing safe off-road access between Snarestone and Measham, with only one road crossing. It will be built to good public footpath standard, stile free and suitable for most people of average ability The grant money will be used to employ a contractor for some of the groundwork, with volunteers helping with gates, site clearance, signing, and minor surfacing (particularly on the length of towing path north of Snarestone).
Ashby Canal Trust and Ashby Canal Association will split the costs above £10,000. A guide to the walk will be produced, for which we have a sponsor, and other sponsors are welcomed. 28 applications for the award were submitted, to a total bid value of £1.1 million, with 7 shortlisted.
Moira Canal Festival
The 2021 festival has been postponed, see Moira
Canal Festival page for details.