Culture, Media and Sport CommitteeWritten evidence submitted by Mark Charnley

I live in Eccles, Salford which is an area enclosed by the Bridgewater Canal, the Liverpool & Manchester Railway and the Manchester Ship Canal. All three of these great industrial monuments are within ten minutes walk of my home. It could be argued that I live at the centre of the birth of the Industrial Revolution.

I mention this because the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester showcases these great achievements that had such a great impact on the whole world. Indeed part of the museum is the original terminus of the Liverpool & Manchester Railway. Across the road from the museum is the Castlefield Basin which is the terminus of the Bridgewater Canal. This museum is not only important to the people of Manchester but also to people from all over the world. I have met many people from all over the world who have learnt about the Industrial Revolution at school and in later years have visited Manchester and Salford to be at its heart.

Surely these are important reasons that the museum should be retained and open to all, so that our heritage is on show to highlight the great achievements of our nation.

June 2013