More Buckingham Canal restoration

AYLESBURY Vale District Council has now given planning permission for the restoration of a stretch of the Buckingham Canal at Bourton Meadow.

This means that the Buckingham Canal Society can restore another length of the waterway and re-water, all part of its long term plan to reopen the canal from where it joins the Grand Union at Cosgrove to Buckingham.  The photograph shows the Buckingham Arm at Cosgrove.

Now dry

The 211 years old waterway originally ran for a total of just under 11 miles, and was primarily used to transport bricks and coal before it closed down during the 1960s. Much of the canal is now dry and parts have been built over, that make it a daunting task.

At the moment members of the society are working on sections at the nature reserve near Hyde Lane reservoir at Cosgrove, Little Hill Farm near Thornton College and the section at Bourton Meadow.

Partnerships

As a key part of achieving the restoration, the society has been developing partnerships with landowners, local authorities and other organisations, with the authorities pledging support, advice on funding and providing equipment and materials.

Athina Beckett, Chairman of the Buckingham Canal Society enthused:

"This is a very exciting milestone for the Canal Society. It is wonderful to see the support for the project from both the community and local authorities. We will now be progressing with grant applications and preparatory works on site. Volunteers are always welcome to come and help us at all levels of skill from novice to professional, either on site or with administrative work. Everyone can come and dig in!"