BW's proposed canal closures

Local shops, pubs and cafés will remember, only too well, the devastating impact of the closure last year of the canal, right in the middle of the tourist season.

With summer just round the corner, it may seem strange to be looking ahead to next winter. However, this winter's (2010/11) proposed stoppages on the Four Counties Ring – vital for canal traffic through the village – are virtually all in January – March 2011.

Unfortunately, there are two exceptions at Trent & Mersey locks 63 and 69 (near Sandbach/Middlewich), which are scheduled for November and December.

This effectively closes the Four Counties Ring as a cruising ring for five months, apart from a week over Christmas, which after last autumn and winter, could drive the nail in the coffin of some local businesses.

A campaign is getting underway to persuade British Waterways to carry out the repairs to the two locks on the Trent & Mersey during January – March, when some of the canals would be closed in any case, thus reducing the canal closure time from five to three months.

It seems so sensible and, hopefully, letters from local businesses and other interested persons might produce a sensible alteration in BW's plans this winter. After all, with summer not yet upon us, there's plenty of time to think again.

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