Campaigners are advocating for the restoration of a canal in Salford hoping it will boost the local economy.
The canal opened in 1797. Coal went through it to power factories. The canal was used for over 120 years, after which it started to fall apart.
Al Franco works with the Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal Society. He said parts of the canal were filled in. Now, volunteers want to restore it fully. They are trying to raise awareness through walks and campaigns.
The canal is fifteen miles long. It goes from Bolton and Bury into Manchester and runs through Salford. About 40% of it still has water, while the rest is filled in.
Franco said restoring the canal would boost the local economy. He believes people will visit and spend money there, and cafes and pubs could open along the canal. Restoring it, however, requires decades of investment.
A developer, Watson Homes, is building houses nearby. They will fix a canal breach at Nob End. This breach happened in 1936, and a 700m stretch has been dry since then.
Peter Twentyman walks the canal towpath daily. He thinks repairing the canal would be great.
The canal has three sections meeting at Nob End. The Prestolee Locks have been unused for years. John Ashworth would like them to reopen, and he admires the canal’s craftsmanship.
The Canal and River Trust owns twelve miles of the canal. United Utilities owns three more miles. The canal’s route has planning protection.
Some sections are blocked. For instance, a road cuts the canal in Radcliffe. The Canal & River Trust support re-opening the canal and want to protect it. They will keep raising funds to care for other canals.