Backing for New Canal

12.00.00am GMT Wed 16th Mar 2005

Milton Keynes Council Chamber was packed on 15 March with supporters of the Bedford to Milton Keynes canal as the Cabinet decided to safeguard the ambitious project in the Local Plan.

The Liberal Democrat Cabinet gave their backing to the scheme to roars of approval from the public gallery.

Including it in the Milton Keynes Local Plan will ensure that land is safeguarded for the waterway.

The decision comes after members of the Bedford and Milton Keynes Waterways Trust asked the Cabinet to reconsider their previous decision. Additional evidence had been presented to the Council's Executive Scrutiny Committee and new legal advice was also been included in the report to Cabinet.

The Cabinet will consider the choice of the route alignment for inclusion in the final version of the Eastern Expansion Area Development Framework at a future cabinet meeting.

Discussions will shortly begin with the B&MK Project Board, the Council and developers to identify the exact route through the Eastern Expansion Area.

Speaking after the decision Liberal Democrat Cabinet Member for Transport, Councillor Graham Mabbutt said: "Milton Keynes Council has now set the lead for the other local authorities along the route to follow. It was interesting to see that both Bedford Borough Council and Mid Beds Council were represented in the public gallery."

Liberal Democrat Councillor Douglas McCall, Cabinet member responsible for Strategic Planning, said: "The Cabinet were very pleased to be able to safeguard a route for the Milton Keynes to Bedford canal in the Local Plan. This is a very exciting opportunity for the future."