MP To Visit Bingley Five Rise Locks

16 December 2008

Philip Davies, MP for Shipley and Coun. David Heseltine, chair of Shipley Area Committee, will be showing their support for the destination delivery plan drawn up by British Waterways this week, when they attend Bingley Five Rise for a presentation of the upcoming plans.

British Waterways (BW) has been working in partnership with City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council, Airedale Partnership, Dream Achievers, Inland Waterways Association, Leeds Liverpool Canal Society and many more to develop the destination delivery plan. The plan proposes a three-year programme of improvements to be carried out by the stakeholder groups along the Bingley, Saltaire and Shipley canal corridor.

BW has identified certain sites across its 2000 miles of canal networks as suitable for development into destinations. The destination delivery plan focuses on the social, economic and environmental improvements that can be delivered on the Bingley, Saltaire and Shipley stretch of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. It will include improved customer facilities, a riverside walk, safe routes to school, a waterbus and arts trail.

Graham Ramsden, regeneration manager British Waterways Yorkshire, said: “We are delighted to welcome Mr Davies and Coun. Heseltine to Five Rise as they offer their support to our delivery plan. We have worked very hard with our partners to get the plan together and hope to be able to deliver sustainable improvements along the canal from Bingley to Shipley, which will benefit local people, tourists and boaters alike.”

Coun David Heseltine, Chair of Shipley Area Committee, said: "The canal network in this area is already a well established and key tourist attraction for our district but this plan shows the potential that there is for drawing in more local residents and visitors to enjoy the canal and the local attractions."

In addition to the development of the destination British Waterways has recently submitted a first round funding bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund. This would see a number of interpretation projects at Bingley Five and Three Rise Locks, as well as the reconstruction of a small lock cottage that had existed on site at Three Rise for 100 years up until 1950.

For more information on the Bingley, Shipley, Saltaire Destination Delivery Plan please call Tracey Garrett on 0113 281 6850 or 0791 784 6254.