Boats to return to St Helens Canal?

The first canal of the industrial age could be restored for boating and local people, if a newly-commissioned study succeeds.

The Sankey (or St Helens) Canal opened in 1757 - four years before the better-known Bridgewater Canal. It fell into dereliction during the 20th century, but a local volunteer group - the Sankey Canal Restoration Society (SCARS) - is keen to bring it back to its former glory. Work could cost up to £100m.

Now, the Restoration Society, British Waterways, the North-West Development Agency, and local authorities including St Helens Council have joined forces to promote the restoration. British Waterways has just been commissioned to carry out an initial study into potential routes and obstacles. This research will gauge the enormous potential economic benefits to be derived from restoring the full length of the original Sankey Canal - as well as the new idea of digging out a link to connect the Sankey with the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, and so onto Britain's national inland waterway network.

Councillor Andy Bowden, for St Helens Council, said: "We are delighted to be the lead body in this project which could become a national flagship that firmly puts St Helens on the map, opening up all sorts of regeneration as well as tourism benefits for the Borough."

The entrance to the canal from the River Mersey received a rare visit by narrowboat this month. Earnest, owned by adventurous boating group the Tuesday Night Club, moored up by the Sankey on its exploration of north-western waterways.