The Wilts & Berks Canal Trust (WBCT) and Swindon Borough Council have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) confirming their commitment to work together to progress restoration of the canal.
The agreement sets out how both organisations will work together, with the trust aiming to deliver a blue/green canal corridor between Swindon and Royal Wootton Bassett, ensuring that the canal restoration project maximises economic, recreational, health and environmental benefits for Swindon.
Under the MoU, the trust will share its 2050 Vision and rolling five-year business plan with the council, clearly identifying projects within the Swindon area. The trust will also outline the projected benefits of restoration works and continue to maintain the canal in at least its current condition.
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An annual meeting will be held through the council’s Build a Better Swindon Policy and Performance Committee to review priorities, investment plans and opportunities for joint working. The council will also be represented on the WBCT Swindon and Royal Wootton Bassett Strategic Steering Group.
The council has committed to consulting the trust in the preparation of planning policy, including the emerging Swindon Local Plan 2040, and will notify the trust of planning applications affecting or adjacent to the canal line. The council will use relevant planning policies and statutory powers, where appropriate, to help safeguard the canal’s long-term restoration.
The agreement also highlights support for key priorities, including restoration of the canal and towpath at Mouldon Hill Country Park, backing efforts to secure a route for the canal beneath the M4 motorway, and assisting the trust in seeking external funding through letters of support and engagement with government and other funding bodies.
The trust has just released its 2050 Vision and five-year business plan for large-scale projects which include connecting Swindon to Royal Wootton Bassett, Melksham Link, Pewsham Waterside, BB2W (Boats Back to Wantage) and the towpath challenge.
The overall goal is to connect the Kennet & Avon Canal at Semington to the River Thames at Abingdon via this heritage blue/green route.
The MoU is not legally binding but reflects the shared ambition of both organisations to honour the commitments set out within it and work collaboratively to secure the canal’s future.
Mike Gibbin, CEO for Wilts & Berks Canal Trust, said: “This is a momentous occasion of positivity for the future of Swindon and beyond. Swindon Borough Council has been engaging with us in recent years and the delivery of this project for the future of Swindon is happening now, but there are still major challenges ahead and we can only continue this momentum by working together with the council to deliver benefits for the communities of Swindon and Royal Wootton Bassett.”
