THE final flag was laid on a £250,000 scheme which has revitalised the Skipton Canal corridor.

Coun Janet Gott, chairman of Craven District Council, performed the official ceremony at Skipton Canal Basin for the improvement scheme which has been much praised by residents and visitors alike.

Almost 25 per cent of people surveyed by British Waterways in 1995 expressed dissatisfaction with the condition of the towpaths and walkways in Skipton.

The improvement scheme has tackled many of the issues and made the canalside in the town centre much more attractive.

Improvements include resurfacing 1,500 metres of towpath, installation of lighting between Aireville Park and the town centre for the first time in the canal's history, new seats, fencing, signage and landscaping.

David Blackburn, waterways manager for British Waterways, said the work had been carried out because it was realised that Skipton was a key element in the Leeds-Liverpool Canal.

"With it being on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales it does attract a lot of boaters coming through. There has always been a good fleet of boats based in Skipton so it is a very important stretch of the canal network," said Mr Blackburn.

Some small work, on signage and interpretation boards, still needs to be completed but Coun Gott, in her final official engagement on her last day as chairman, had the honour of cementing in the final flagstone.

She was particularly pleased that for the first time, the towpath between the town centre and Aireville Park would be lit.

"As a Skipton resident and as a councillor for Skipton we have struggled and struggled to get something like this done over the years and at last it has come to fruition," said Coun Gott.

"As a member of the Crime Prevention Panel I am especially happy to see the lighting because children walk here from school and it will make it safer for them.

"I hope people will look after it and respect it. It looks absolutely superb."

Mr Blackburn then told the assembled dignitaries that the scheme had been enhanced by the positive contributions from locals who had chipped in with their own comments.

As well as improving the footpaths and lighting, landscaping, fences and public areas alongside have been much improved.

A footbridge over Eller Beck will be renovated and widened, allowing people in wheelchairs to enjoy the stretch of the Springs Canal extension.

The towpath improvements will greatly enhance the Skipton Millennium Walk which will come into operation next year and take visitors on a tour of the town's scenery and heritage

The improvements have been funded by Craven District Council, via the Capital Challenge Programme, with matched funding coming from partners British Waterways, Craven Counts, English Partnerships (now the Regional Development Agency for Yorkshire and the Humber), Skipton Building Society and Yorventure.

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