Chesterfield Canal in limbo

THOUGH the National Audit Office report has slammed HS2, it regretfully remains silent on damage already done, in particular to the restoration of the Chesterfield Canal.

The report on the British High Speed rail line, known as HS2, is highly critical of the early programme preparation work undertaken, but does not cover the damage already done to economic regeneration projects blighted by the HS2 route.

Plans now on hold

The Chesterfield Canal Trust, formed 35 years ago to campaign for the full restoration and use of the canal, saw its plans put on hold when the route for HS2, announced in January 2013, cut through and ran along the line of the canal, at water level. (End of Chesterfield restoration?)

What is of great concern is that no one in Government has told funding organisations how to treat applications from projects affected by the route—should the projects be funded on the off chance HS2 does or does not happen.

Members of the Trust were stunned to read that the largest benefit in the economic case for HS2 the re-balancing the economy, and journey time savings — is 'UNCLEAR' according to the National Audit Office.

Hopes for funding dashed

Chair of the Chesterfield Canal Trust, Robin Stonebridge, explained:

"On the day that the HS2 route was announced as cutting through our canal's restoration route, our hopes of further funding were dashed. We were within days of submitting a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for £2 million to restore a three mile stretch of canal. That bid is now in limbo.

"We have tried to engage with HS2 to sort out this horrible mess. We knew that it was based on faulty maps; we are very concerned that there are also faulty assumptions.

"We have met with representatives of HS2, but they have been able to offer little hope of change until the end of the public consultation next year. Thus our funding streams have been blighted and the hopes and aspirations of hundreds of communities and tens of thousands of citizens have been put on hold."

Years in preparation

The Chesterfield Canal Partnership has spent many years producing a case for the restoration of the remaining eight miles of derelict canal. Every lock, bridge and aqueduct is described in detail as is the economic and ecological impact. Endless surveys, such as ground conditions and water supply, have been undertaken. At every stage plans have been published, public meetings held and notice taken of local people.

Everything now stops.