Councils propose canal regeneration scheme

By Tim Aldred

22 Jun 2021

A new study has been launched to assess the feasibility of rejuvenating the banks of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal as a place to live, play and be inspired.

The project is led by Lancashire County Council, Canal & River Trust, The Super Slow Way and the four local authorities in the east of the county. It has also received funding from Arts Council England.

By creating the Pennine Lancashire Linear Park, the 20-mile stretch of canal could become a visitor destination offering extreme and water sports facilities, places to eat, drink and host arts and culture programmes, and house an array of regenerative agriculture initiatives. 

Properties including Northlight Mill in Brierfield, UCLan's new campus at Sandygate Square in Burnley, the Coke Ovens in Hyndburn and Imperial Mill in Blackburn could be repurposed, refurbished and utilised. The canal would also become a home for both water and land-based biodiversity.

The work would create opportunities for communities disproportionately affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, such as the area’s South Asian communities, which comprise a high proportion of the canal corridor’s population which ranks as among the worst affected areas in the UK.

Laurie Peake, director of The Super Slow Way said: "This is a vision that is much greater than the sum of its parts. It’s a vision of East Lancashire as a blueprint for a post-Covid recovery in areas ravaged by the pandemic as it moves towards a carbon neutral future.

"This is a vision that can only be delivered if everyone that has a stake in this region works towards one goal – that, by 2030, it will be a flagship for a new, green economy, with stronger, healthier communities in a landscape that has become a visitor destination."

Michael Green, cabinet member for health and wellbeing at Lancashire County Council, said: "The canal corridor offers significant environmental and economic potential. The Covid pandemic has had a significant impact on all our communities, with many people appreciating the importance and value of culture and leisure in their lives.

"The creative industry and green economy sector can be a significant driver in developing our economy in new ways, not just as we recover from the impact of the pandemic, but as part of longer-term plans. We are keen for this to be in ways which can include all citizens, improving their quality of life and our environment."

  • For further Lancashire business news, advice and analysis subscribe to Lancashire Business View or join the LBV Hub from just £2.50 per month. Click here to subscribe now.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Tim Aldred

Latest news

1

Blackburn Chemicals unveils most advanced powder defoamer chemical plant in the world Jack Lamb, Sales Manager at Blackburn Chemicals, Bohdan Ratycz, International Trade Adviser at the Department for Business and Trade, and John Covill, Managing Director of Blackburn Chemicals

Blackburn Chemicals unveils most advanced powder defoamer chemical plant in the world

14 May 2025

2

HealthLink expands specialist medical device logistics services to the UK Health Link in Blackburn

HealthLink expands specialist medical device logistics services to the UK

14 May 2025

3

Victorian Plumbing Group announces move to reinvent MFI brand in half year results Victorian Plumbing acquired the MFI brand

Victorian Plumbing Group announces move to reinvent MFI brand in half year results

14 May 2025

4

Energy specialist Vital Energi joins London Gatwick’s £250m decarbonisation programme Mike Cooke managing director Vital Energi

Energy specialist Vital Energi joins London Gatwick’s £250m decarbonisation programme

14 May 2025

5

Daisy merger move will create £1.4bn connectivity giant Matthew Riley

Daisy merger move will create £1.4bn connectivity giant

13 May 2025

Pc Prestonmacan Gif980x120 March
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV122 May/June Launch Event
121 Lancashire Business View Magazine Launch
Networking
21 May 2025

LBV122 May/June Launch Event

Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TY

08:30 - 10:30

Sub36 Networking
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

British Jewellery School, Scorton, PR3 1BA

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 720px 1
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

Sales Club – Stop Competing on Price: Transform Your Pipeline into Paying Customers
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
14 May 2025 - 14 May 2025

Sales Club – Stop Competing on Price: Transform Your Pipeline into Paying Customers

Lancaster & Morecambe College, Morecambe, LA1 2TY

08:00 - 10:00

Society1 Open Day - European Coworking Day
4.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
14 May 2025 - 14 May 2025

Society1 Open Day - European Coworking Day

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 16:00

Systems for Success: Unlock consistency, productivity and profit in your business
LBV Event Header.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
15 May 2025 - 15 May 2025

Systems for Success: Unlock consistency, productivity and profit in your business

Bolton Arena, Arena Approach, Horwich, BL6 6LB

09:15 - 12:15

The Marketing Meetup: IRL Lancashire
LBV Hub Event Image.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
15 May 2025 - 15 May 2025

The Marketing Meetup: IRL Lancashire

Fraser House Hub, Lancaster, LA1 4XQ

18:00 - 20:00

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar
LBV Hub Seminars
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar

Cottons Hotel & Spa , Knutsford, WA16 0SU

16:00 - 18:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin