Chesterfield Partnership in danger
ONE of the partners of the Chesterfield Canal Partnership has stated that it will not be paying its share in future, putting the whole future of the partnership in doubt.
The partnership is made up of the six local authorities along its route, plus British Waterways, the Inland Waterways Association, the Environment Agency, the Wildlife Trusts, Natural England, Groundwork and the Chesterfield Canal Trust.
Grants worth millions
For many years, all the partners have put money into the Partnership fund which pays for the Development Manager's salary and the work that he does, not least obtaining grants worth millions of pounds to improve and restore the canal for the benefit of all.
Derbyshire County Council, North East Derbyshire District Council and Chesterfield Borough Council are committed to paying their share for the next financial year, starting in April. Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council do not pay into the pot, but instead pay British Waterways for the maintenance of the Kiveton Park to Shireoaks stretch that was restored a decade ago; however the Leader of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council has written to all the other partners urging their continued support.
Will not pay
A spokesman for the Chesterfield Canal Trust explained:
"We have just heard that Nottinghamshire County Council have said that they will not pay their share next year. This puts the whole future of the Partnership in doubt and with it that of the Development Manager and our future plans for Staveley Town Basin and the rest of the restoration.
We understand that much of the recent development has been in Derbyshire, but a fully restored canal would give a huge boost to Nottinghamshire because all the boats going to Chesterfield would have to pass through 28 miles of the canal there."
Vital part
The Trust believes that the Chesterfield Canal is a vital part of the local heritage, and fully supports its preservation and restoration as a 'Waterway for All'.
The Trust is now encouraging people to email to Councillor Kay Cutts, the Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council by clicking on