Memorandum submitted by Thrupp Parish
Council Canal Working Group
We deplore BW's withdrawal from the project,
with the consequent removal of public money—we do not believe
public bodies should be allowed to act in this fashion.
The Thrupp and Brimscombe Community has supported
the restoration of the canal from the start and our enthusiasm
played a major part in winning HLF funding. However we have found
BW a difficult partner to work with throughout. There has always
been mixed priorities of restoring the canal and Brimscombe Port
in a way that meets community and environmental needs and the
property development aims of BW. It seems inappropriate that a
public body should have these mixed objectives and also be so
unaccountable to local communities.
The key points I would like to make are:
1. The restoration of the Cotswold Canal
and Brimscombe Port are worthwhile and need Government support;
2. The restoration needs to meet community
and environmental needs, which must not be made subservient to
property development profits;
3. The project needs to be brought under
democratic control with formal involvement of community representatives
in decision making.
Cllr Martin Whiteside
District Councillor and chair of Thrupp Parish Council
Canal Working Group
February 2008
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