RETURNING THE CANAL TO THE COMMUNITY

What is not commonly realised is that before railways the canals carried considerable passenger traffic. Regular packet boat services connected all main centres with light, fast vessels drawn by two or more horses at a canter, with a postillion. They had top priority and usually had first and second-class cabins, heating and refreshments - a big advance on the cold, bumpy stagecoaches.

The Leeds & Liverpool Canal is the longest canal in Britain travelling a little over 127 miles with a water level of 53 feet above sea level. The history of the canal can be traced back to 1767 when the original survey work and design was confirmed. Construction began at Vauxhall Road/Leeds Street at the end of Old Hall Street in Liverpool in 1770.

Since the development of the Eldonian and Athol Villages the Vauxhall stretch of the Leeds Liverpool canal has been transformed from what was a derelict unused waterway which people only recognise as being used to serve the requirements of industry which has long since deserted the area into a haven for various forms of birdlife which have never before frequented these inner city areas. This regeneration has also given the local community an opportunity to honour one of its own local hero's " James Clark" whose lifesaving exploits connected to the Leeds Liverpool Canal in the Vauxhall area are legendary. A major clean up project is underway connected to the Canal Link project which will be a major feature of the Liverpool 2008 celebrations and it is hoped that this will include a birdlife sanctuary to create a safe haven for the increasing number of feathered visitor that are being attracted to the area.

Canals in inner city areas have never had a good press. More often than not described as stagnant and litter strewn with banks perpetually lined with derelict factories and disused railway sidings. Many people will remember the Vauxhall and Kirkdale stretches of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal being such a place. But in recent years these stretches of the canal have changed drastically and have become scenic parts of the local landscape. It is hoped that with the co-operation of the local people , local community groups, British Waterways the local community newpaper and our local MP that this will only be the start of our efforts in returning the canal to the community.

On Friday 18th February Louise Ellman MP attended a meeting held at the Vauxhall Millennium Resource Centre. Also present were representatives of British Waterways, Vauxhall Neighbourhood Council, Community Justice Centre, Merseyside Police, Merseyside Youth Offenders Team, Radio Merseyside, Bootle Barge and Emso Creative Arts & Design. The main topic for discussion were ideas relating to the benefits brought to the Vauxhall & Kirdale stretches of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal from the Liverpool Canal Link Project. And returning the canal to the community.

An opportunity was taken for all at the meeting to take a short walk down to the canal to look at the scene now and to appreciate its potential. Another such meeting is planned for April 8th.