Nick Smith
Regeneration Manager

Following the restructure within British Waterways in November the new Regeneration Directorate is forging ahead with its remit to develop existing and new partnerships and ensure that the waterways continue to play a central role in the regeneration agenda both locally and nationally. The Directorate is headed by Mark Benstead and four Heads of Regeneration cover the national waterway network, with Julie Sharman as Head of Regeneration North. As part of the Regeneration Team I will continue to be the lead for the Manchester waterways, including the MB&BC restoration. Dave Baldacchino is now the Waterway Manager for the Manchester and Pennine Waterways, which again includes the MB&BC in its portfolio.

Following on from the positive work reported in the last issue with Salford Council (which has developed a towpath and access improvement project for certain sections of the canal through Salford), Bury Council has made capital funding available for a similar scheme. This will include the channel and the towpath west of Water Street in Radcliffe. There was consensus at the last Joint Steering Committee that this stretch would benefit from some enhancement works and would be enjoyed by both local residents and visitors passing through the area.
Work has now been completed at Elton, save for commissioning of the valves during January, and the reservoir is slowly filling up again. Hopefully some of the melting snow and ice will help the process along!

And finally we have at last we have received the plaque to commemorate the opening of Middlewood Lock. A suitable location will be identified in liaison with the Society and we will aim to get this in place as soon as possible.