This morning I attended a presentation at County Hall given by the Wilts and Berks Canal Trust outlining their ambitious plans for restoration of the canal. As part of this work, the Trust is hoping to develop a towpath for walkers, and other users where possible, to follow the route of the old canal. Locally, the scheme would link Grove right through to Abingdon by the River Thames. The plan is that this could be completed within five years.
The idea is that by securing a footpath and multi-user trail where possible, this should accelerate the canal development. An experienced project manager has volunteered his time for a year in order to 'kick-start' the process and build momentum.
I have long been a supporter of the excellent work which has been undertaken to date by the Trust and have previously reported on some of the events I have attended, including a trip on the Kennet canal here. The eventual aim of the whole restoration project will be to link the Wilts and Berks Canal to the Avon and Kennet (pictured above), which then makes a complete boating 'ring' - a complete circuit which boaters can enjoy without navigating the same route twice.
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