PLANS to re-route an historic canal through the centre of Melksham could bring new business and tourism to the area.

The Wilts and Berks Canal Trust and volunteers of all ages and backgrounds are carrying out ongoing work and planning to restore 67 miles of canal across the county.

The ultimate aim of the trust is to restore a navigable waterway linking the Kennet & Avon canal near Melksham (its popular Caen Hill Locks at Devizes are pictured above) to the Thames & Severn Canal near Cricklade and the River Thames near Abingdon, providing a multi million pound boost to the local economy through new jobs and tourism.

The Wilts and Berks Canal has been left abandoned for nearly 100 years but the stretch of the canal through Melksham, which was built over with houses, flowed until around the time of the First World War.

Melksham Town Council have given their backing to the plans, which would include a new weir south of the bypass bridge, behind which the canal level will be raised to allow sufficient depth for navigation. The existing weir upstream of the town bridge would be removed.

Director of Restoration, Colin Fletcher said detailed proposals for the Melksham stretch of the canal had been submitted to West Wiltshire District Council for inclusion in the local development framework for leisure and tourism.

He said: “It has now gone to consideration by an inspector and we haven’t had a decision yet, but it could happen in October.”

He said the project would cost around £18 million, but this would be raised through grants and organisations when things were further on.

Chairman of the Melksham, Chippenham and Calne branch of the Wilts and Berks Canal Trust, Robert Jones, added: “Last year we had a display in Melksham Library which showed a map of the route through the town.

“It received overwhelming support which was really good.

“Some people ask why we would bother to do something like this and we tell them it would bring so much benefit to Melksham.

“I think it’s harder for people who aren’t really passionate about something to see how and if it would be successful.

“When you first started talking about the project like this people think it will never happen.”

Mr Jones said that around five years’ worth of work in the town would see Melksham turned into a port.

He said people who live on and drive canal boats are always attracted to new areas of water and this would mean the same happens in Melksham.

He said: “It could bring many more people into the town – from a business point of view and from a tourist point of view – and it would also give walkers somewhere to enjoy.”

Mr Jones said people can join the trust by paying an annual fee of £10 and supporting the work being done.

He said: “There is a misconception that joining as a member means you have to do something as a volunteer. You don’t have to, if you don’t want to.

“Just paying that £10 a month is helping a great deal, by funding and supporting work.”

More information is available at the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust website. Log on to www.wbct.org.uk