Funds agreed to improve canals and parks in Cannock Chase
Canals and parks will undergo improvements across Cannock Chase after funding for the work was agreed.
Access and towpaths along the Brereton stretch of the Trent and Mersey Canal are set to be improved, while parking issues at nearby Ravenhill Park will be tackled and further funds will be put towards the proposed restoration of the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal.
Cannock Chase Council’s cabinet has given the go-ahead for £8,366 to be spent on work at the park. A further £10,000 will be transferred to the Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust (LHCRT), to allow them to commission a water supply study on the proposed restoration of the Hatherton Canal.
The funds have come from contributions made by developers, known as Section 106 Agreements.
The Canal and River Trust (CRT) is planning to carry out work to improve towpaths, a cabinet report said.
It added: “Two planning applications for residential development adjoining the Trent and Mersey Canal in Brereton attracted S106 public open space planning obligations towards towpath and access improvements to the canal near each site and towards improvements to the existing open space in Ravenhill Park.
“These sums, currently held by the Council, comprise £13,766 towards the towpath and access improvements and £8,366 towards Ravenhill Park. Both residential sites have now been developed and the dwellings are occupied.
“Recent discussions with CRT revealed the CRT intention to implement a scheme of towpath surface and access enhancements in Brereton and it is considered beneficial to all parties if the council’s S106 funds could be contributed to the CRT for use in conjunction with their own project, thus achieving a more comprehensive result for local residents, in particular the new residents of the contributing sites.
“The district council own Ravenhill Park and the parish council have raised the issue of unauthorised parking along the main drive. Existing timber bollards have reached the end of their life so the district council proposes bollard replacement to address the issue.”
By Local Democracy Reporter Kerry Ashdown
