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New Canal Left Out of Milton Keynes Plans


Sam

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NEW CANAL LEFT OUT OF MILTON KEYNES PLANS

 

Following on from the decision of the Local Plan Inspector not to recommend the inclusion of the Bedford to Milton Keynes Waterway in the new Local Plan for Milton Keynes, Milton Keynes Council has reluctantly concluded that it cannot include a route in the Supplementary Planning Guidance for the Eastern Expansion Area of Milton Keynes. However, the Cabinet will review the Inspector’s Report on the Draft Local Plan before it is adopted in Spring 2005.

Cllr Richard Payne, Bedfordshire County Council’s Executive Member for Environment and Chairman of the B&MK Partnership, says:

“This is a huge blow for the project but the partnership will press Milton Keynes Council to honour its commitment to review the Inspector’s Report by Spring 2005.

“Since the launch of the B&MK Partnership in 2001 we’ve passed many important milestones on our path to unlock the benefits of waterside living, working and recreation in this area of the south east where there are plans for population growth. The Partnership will continue to work together to promote the scheme to ensure the line of the canal is protected for future generations.”

Graham Mabbutt, Milton Keynes Council Cabinet Member for Transport, says:

“The Cabinet have accepted legal advice not to go against the Local Plan Inspector’s decision. However this does not mean an end to the hopes and aspirations of those of us who support the waterway connecting Milton Keynes to Bedford. The Council is committed to an early review of the Draft Local Plan before it is adopted in Spring 2005 and will work steadfastly with the B&MK Partnership to persuade developers and landowners to allow the canal route to pass through their land.”

Jane Wolfson, Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust, says:

“We are bitterly disappointed that, despite their support in principle up to now, Milton Keynes Council have felt unable to take the logical next step of including the new canal in their plans for Milton Keynes’ expansion. Since the Trust formed in 1994 we’ve spoken to over ten thousand people across the region and met with consistent and overwhelming community support for the project. We’ve also received public recognition from neighbouring local authorities of the strategic importance of the waterway.

“We will not stop campaigning for this project which will deliver huge community benefits until all possible routes and all funding options are exhausted. We will call the Council’s decision to scrutiny and press for an early review to get this decision turned around. We will also be redoubling our campaigning efforts and I appeal to local people to pledge their support for the project by signing our petition to Government and associated funding agencies which already has over 6,000 signatures.”

The B&MK Partnership, the group of 21 organisations behind the proposed project to build a new canal between Bedford and Milton Keynes, was bitterly disappointed to hear yesterday’s decision by the Milton Keynes Cabinet not to secure the line of the canal through their area.

 

New canal left out of Milton Keynes Plans/p2

 

If built, the new 20-mile (32km) waterway would bring huge benefits to communities across the region including:

 

- a more varied and attractive urban environment

- new homes and business buildings in peaceful waterside locations

- new leisure destinations for walking, cycling, boating and fishing

- new leisure and tourism jobs

- new wildlife habitats

- an uplift in property values

- a new channel for water supply and drainage

- a new Fenland cruising ring

- examples of the best in 21st century engineering, design and landscaping

 

The B&MK Partnership backing the scheme includes: British Waterways, Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust, local authorities, the East of England Development Agency, East of England Tourist Board, The Wildlife Trust for Beds, Cambs, Northants & Peterborough, Forest of Marston Vale, the Environment Agency, The Inland Waterways Association, Great Ouse Boating Association and The Waterways Trust.

 

News from British Waterwayspress release _logo1_tcm6-73100.gif

Edited by Jon
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