Walkers on track for canal cash

Families flocked to the Lichfield Canal on Sunday to enjoy a section usually closed to the public. The four-mile walk from Huddlesford Junction to Fosseway Lane in Lichfield was enjoyed by many who either completed the whole walk, or just parts of it.

The Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust Limited organised the walk following the success of its last public walk five years ago, which attracted 2,000 people.

And volunteers had managed to strike a deal with the landowners of this particular stretch of the canal to open it for one day.

Sunday's event also helped to raise more than £1,000 for the Trust, which had set up displays at it's Tamworth Road site, along with goods for sale.

Bob Williams, from the Trust, said: "The best estimate we have is up to 1,000 walkers attended, and we are very pleased with that response.

"It all went extremely well, and we also raised more than £1,000 from the event.

"Just about everyone said they had enjoyed the walk and were delighted to see first hand what the Trust is doing.

"People had travelled from quite a distance to come to the event."

The city's MP Michael Fabricant, a keen canal enthusiast, also lent his support and turned out for the walk.

"I am a keen narrowboater and know that experience elsewhere has shown that canals generate millions of tourists dollars which would benefit Lichfield," said Mr Fabricant.

"The heart of our city would be just a short walk from the restored canal.

"All this is now being put in jeopardy by cuts in the DEFRA grant to British Waterways.

"That is why I have initiated a debate on canals and their funding, to be heard in the House of Commons tomorrow."