In Salford development plans include the re-development of Crescent station; all options include allowance for the canal reconstruction beside the site which is likely to add £2-3m to the cost. It is hoped that the Middlewood length of canal can be continued under the railway and built through Regent’s Trading Estate with a planning application expected early next year. In the present economic climate, without unexpected funding pots coming along it is likely that the rest of the canal in Salford will be restored over a period to 2035 but meanwhile the Council is looking at producing a linear path/park along the canal route.
The towpath in Salford currently beside canal that is not infilled will be surfaced from S106 monies from the Forest Bank Prison extension, initially from Park House Bridge to Lumbs Aqueduct and will link up with the LIVIA towpath work. Initial clearance would be by contractor but after surfacing they would be looking to the Society to maintain the path margins. Salford expects to spend £140K on this project.

The canal society has been asked to write 4 of the chapters of the Prospectus for the canal in Salford:

In Bolton the Creams application has been withdrawn and Bolton is talking with the developer about demolishing the building over the canal because it is becoming a nuisance factor. They are also concerned that the rubble is removed and not dumped into the line of the canal. An alternative planning application is anticipated for the area of canal near the current Little Lever terminus where it is in green belt.

In Bury there will be towpath improvement in Radcliffe -West of Water Street. Bury and BW are working together on this and work should start soon. One alternative being investigated is whether it would be viable to maintain a water channel by the use of herbicides rather than repeated mechanical removal.