Rochdale Canal Restoration Project

EDM number 764 in 1997-98, proposed by Lorna Fitzsimons on 10/02/1998.

That this House welcomes the Rochdale Canal Trust project to restore one of the oldest canals in the country, a project to which the Millennium Commission has committed ú11.9 million, with a similar amount from English Partnerships; notes that this would bring a total of over ú23 million and provide many jobs for those doing the restoration, and many more by encouraging development of businesses along the canal corridor; regrets the fact that Town Centres Securities plc, the owners of the Rochdale Canal, have failed to come to an agreement with the Canal Trust, despite 12 months' negotiations on a purchase agreement; regrets that the project is now in real danger of losing the much needed money; and calls on this House to support any initiative that would resolve this situation as soon as possible.

This motion has been signed by a total of 20 MPs.