Canal trust wants cycleway

THE Derby and Sandiacre Canal Trust wants to raise between £700,000 and £1m, for the Derby Canal, not for restoration, but to build a cycleway.

This would follow the line of the disused waterway, and should the Derby Canal ever by restored, would form the towpath from its junction with the Erewash Canal at Sandiacre, passing through Breaston, Draycott and Borrowash. The picture shows the site of the former Shelton Lock, now a footpath.

But the trust has run out of cash, and is appealing to businesses to make up the shortfall to allow it to get a £42,500 grant from Derby City Partnership to cost and design the path, needing to show its intent by raising, or 'match-funding', £17,000 towards the project itself.

He tells that two property developers planning to build on intact parts of the canal, at Draycott and Spondon, had been expected to provide some cash but that the downturn in the housing market caused this to be withdrawn.

The application for the cycle track was due to be registered with the various councils in October, and it is expected that should planning permission be granted by the end of this year, the path could be built by June next year, if the cash is forthcoming.

In addition for the path being available foe walkers and cyclists, it would also be designated a bridle path for horse riders.