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Burslem Port Project


Josher

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This would be a great addition to the network:

 

Experts to steer canal scheme forward This is Staffordshire

 

SUPPORTERS of a canal restoration project have agreed to form a not-for-profit group to take the scheme forward.

 

The group met at Burslem's School of Art to work towards creating a new organisation to back the Burslem Port Project, which aims to restore the old Burslem Branch Canal, in Middleport.

 

It was decided the team of experts in law, finance, local government, heritage, and higher education would team up with the Burslem Port team of waterways enthusiasts, to undertake research.

 

They will also write a new constitution.

 

Burslem Port's chairman Roger Savage said: "We are delighted to get such influential support for our project, which will set the stage for the next exciting steps forward."

 

Project officer David Dumbelton added: "After many years of research, planning and negotiation we are now able to call on the experience and professionalism of current and retired senior managers in industry, commerce and the professions to help us achieve our ambition."

 

 

There is a wealth of information on this branch Here

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  • 1 year later...

Progress...

 

Restoration of Burslem branch canal will cost £51.5m less than forecast Friday, December 30, 2011 The Sentinel

 

Snapshot2011-12-3014-52-04.jpg

The empty Burslem Branch Canal, pictured in 1962.

 

WORK to reinstate part of a former canal will cost £51.5 million less than forecast. Government agency Renew North Staffordshire had priced the restoration of the Burslem Branch Canal at £56 million. But a study by engineering firm AECOM has predicted that the design and construction of the Burslem Arm will cost £4.5 million; one-12th of the original sum. It is estimated that an additional £1 million will then be needed to rebuild a footbridge and historic warehouse along the stretch. It is a major breakthrough after a 16-year fight to reconstruct the canal at Middleport.

 

David Dumbleton, aged 75, who is a trustee and project officer for the Burslem Port Trust, said: "I am absolutely delighted that the hard work is starting to pay off. "This is an important step for the project, but there are still many challenges ahead. We believe the project can be completed within 18 months of receiving funding." The Burslem Branch Canal, which runs along Furlong Lane, opened in 1805 and closed after a major breach in 1961. If plans go ahead, the Burslem Arm will once more be a branch of the Trent and Mersey Canal. Trust member Roger Savage said: "The new study has given us the plans we need to submit and the cost for digging up the canal area. We were originally quoted such a large sum because we were told we would have to put costs aside to buy land, but this is no longer the case. We are delighted to hear that the cost is not going to be as much as expected, because when you compare it to £56 million it's quite a small figure. This project will bring regeneration to Middleport."

 

It is estimated that 27,000 narrowboats and boats sail along that stretch of the canal every year. Mr Savage, who is also chairman of the Stoke-on-Trent branch of the Inland Waterways Association, added: "We are looking for funding to ensure that the project can go ahead, including a potential bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund."

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Someone must know:

 

How can one consultant come up with a figure of £56M for the project and another £5.5M?

 

How many Government consultants are awarded contracts at obscenely over-valued amounts (lots I suspect)?

 

But by a factor of 10?

 

But then, look at all the failed NHS projects where we, the taxpayers, have given billions of pounds to contractors and have received nothing in return. Not only that, but having cancelled the projects due to non-delivery we are still committed to handing over vast sums of money because some dork in Government signed some dodgy contract.

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Someone must know:

 

How can one consultant come up with a figure of £56M for the project and another £5.5M?

 

Well in part (at least) because they have have costed different things. The £5.5m is just for design and construction of the canal, whereas the larger figure includes land purchase and the cost of rebuilding a footbridge and a warehouse.

 

David

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