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Achievement award for towpath improvements

2nd Dec 2003

British Waterways has won an award for the outstanding work it has done on upgrading a towpath and its access facilities at Botany Bay, near Wigan.

The two-year programme, named ‘Botany Bay and Beyond’, improved disabled access, a cycleway, car parking, landscape interpretation, seating and soft bank treatment for one and a half miles along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.

The Achievement Award was presented at this year’s Royal Society of Nature Conservation ceremony in London for the National 2003 Biffaward Natural Environment category.

The Walton Summit Canal Arm also benefited from the project. Originally, the branch served industry - yet today, the non-navigable waterway has nature reserve status and is used regularly by anglers and walkers. Hedges were laid, reeds were planted and coconut-fibre tubes that encourage vegetation were put along waterway edges.

British Waterways worked on the project in partnership with Groundwork Conservation Volunteers at a cost of more than £125,000. Funding came from British Waterways, Landfill Tax, Chorley Borough Council and Lancashire County Council.

Cath Cain, British Waterways' project supervisor, said: "This project truly demonstrates the value of partnership between funding bodies, local authorities and British Waterways.

"Everyone involved should be very proud of this award as it recognises the drive and ambition of all parties concerned to improve a run down area, particularly the enhanced access and protection work that makes this a valuable and sensitive environmental area.

"As a result of the improvements carried out, the visitor experience is greatly enhanced, and the long-term image of the Walton Summit Canal Arm is protected."

Last updated: 22/10/2008