Memorandum submitted by Chester City Council
1. Chester City Council has been working
with British Waterways involving the sustainable regeneration
of the Canals in Chester for ten years. The canal through Chester
has been improved with investment of more than £3 million
in a Greenways project to create a safe green route of 12km between
the City and surrounding countryside for the use of the community
and visitors to the city. British Waterways were an important
local partner on an Interreg tourism project and a cross-border
initiative between Cheshire and Shropshire as part of a very successful
Leader+ programme; and most recently on the restoration of an
historic boatyard close to the city centre.
2. British Waterways is also in the process
of a major canal side regeneration scheme within the City at Tower
Wharf. On completion of this a new mixed use development around
the north basin will provide a new visitor quarter and complement
the City centre regeneration.
3. During this period of partnership we
have achieved a significant investment into the canals of Chester
which have brought benefits to the local economy through increased
opportunities for tourism product development. But there has also
been significant benefit to local residents through the provision
of safe, non-car routes to work and school; and environmental
and public space improvements as well as improved access to and
enjoyment of the environmental assets of the canal corridor. British
Waterways has made a significant transition from an Engineering-led
organisation in the mid-90s to a committed and capable partner
with a track record of delivery for social and economic benefit.
And we have been pleased to work with a very able and professional
team.
4. British Waterways has been a valuable
partner in the regeneration programme in Chester over the past
decade and the City Council expects it to play a key role in the
future as a partner in our aspiration to be a "Must-see European
Historic City Destination". The canal system through Chester
makes a significant contribution to our strategic open space,
visitor economy and green transport infrastructure; and has the
potential to provide a key link between Chester City Centre and
Chester Zoo which has Northwest Development Agency support to
develop into a "superZoo" which will contribute towards
the success of the Region.
5. Chester has embraced the concept of partnership
since the early 1990's. British Waterways was an "early adopter"
of the approach we fostered. Like any partnership, there have
-sometimes- been disagreement resulting from tactical decisions
dependent on arrange of different drivers. But, strategically,
we have developed a mature partnership which has allowed us to
overcome occasional differences in order to achieve a joint agenda.
We have a demonstrably successful partnership in Chester focussed
on the contribution the canal network makes to the City. Long
may it continue.
Mike Dix
Distinctiveness & Place Marketing Manager
Chester City Council
March 2008
| 
