Canal & River Trust consider that the Stratford Canal and Grand Union Canal can contribute to the future vision and aims of the Neighbourhood Plan for Lapworth. The Stratford Canal runs through the centre of the Neighbourhood Plan area and the Grand Union Canal forms the eastern boundary.

Canal & River Trust consider the canals are multi-functional. The multi-functional roles of the waterways include: an agent of or catalyst for regeneration; a contributor to water supply and transfer, drainage and flood management; a tourism, cultural, sport, leisure and recreation resource; a heritage landscape, open space and ecological resource; sustainable modes of transport; and routes for telecommunications; supporting climate change, carbon reduction and sustainability. These multi-functional roles can support a vision and the aspirations for the area.

Our aspirations for our infrastructure within the neighbourhood plan area could include: towpath and access enhancements; biodiversity projects; water quality improvements; waterway wall repairs; mooring enhancements; bridge and lock repairs; installing bank protection; angling enhancements etc.

A number of our structures on the Stratford Canal are Grade II listed:-

Lapworth Locks 7-14 northern basin walls and bridges 32 and 33
Lock Keepers Cottage (Lock 7)
Lock Keepers Cottage (Lock 13)
Canal Workshop at Lapworth Yard
Canal Office at Lapworth Yard
Kingswood Junction Bridge number 36
Lapworth Locks number 21
Lapworth Bottom Lock number 20
Junction Cottage Lapworth Yard
Broom Hall Bridge number 38
Dicks Lane Bridge number 39
Lock Cottage (Lock 28)

We also have a number of moorings and boating facilities within the plan area which support tourism and recreational use of the canals.

We have an active Towpath Taskforce at Lapworth where Volunteers carry out a range of tasks along the canal including painting, litter clearance, cutting back of vegetation and planting.


It is hoped these comments are of assistance and we look forward to commenting on future consultations in due course.