MP involved in L&L closure

Published: Wednesday, 11 August 2010

THE MP for Skipton, Julian Smith, is concerned at the closure of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal and its effect on businesses.

He has contacted British Waterways, and is demanding answers as to how the canal came to  be in this condition, after being contacted by canal businesses worried how a long closure would affect them.

Out of 'dead' area

Boat hire businesses are having to transship their boats out of the 'dead' area to other marinas, where they can, with one now operating from the over crowded Llangollen, and another to near Bradford.

The MP has written to the chief executive of British Waterways demanding to know what measures he has taken to minimise the impact of the closure on businesses. And he wants answers over what could be done to mitigate the problems in future, stating:

"In particular, there are concerns there has been a leak from the stretch of the canal which has been closed and that British Waterways has been aware of it but done nothing to mitigate it."

Wants to meet chief executive

Julian in concerned how long the closure will last, and whether the chief executive would be prepared to meet him and people affected to discuss the situation.

British Waterways spokesman has acknowledged that a letter has been received from the MP, and stated he will reply.