MP for South Leicestershire, Alberto Costa, has visited the historic Grand Union Canal near Glen Parva and Everards Meadows to see the recent repairs carried out by the Canal & River Trust at Blue Banks Lock.
Alberto met with Alan Leather, Enterprise Manager at the Canal & River Trust, and Richard Bennett, the Trust’s Environment and Heritage Manager, to hear more about the repair works at the 200-year-old Blue Banks Lock which included new lock gates at the historic location.
Alberto's visit came as a 40km stretch of Leicestershire’s waterways has this week been awarded prestigious Green Flag status, running from Loughborough to Wigston, including all South Leicestershire’s canal side area.
Alberto said, “I was fascinated to visit the historic Grand Union Canal we have running through South Leicestershire alongside Alan and Richard from the brilliant Canal & River Trust. The recent works to replace the lock doors at the 200-year-old Blue Banks Lock have been most welcome, and I am really pleased to see this stretch of the canal looking its very best with huge thanks to the Canal & River Trust for all of their hard work”.
Richard Bennett, Heritage and Environment Manager for the Canal & River Trust, added, “We really enjoyed welcoming Alberto and are grateful that he recognises the importance of the canal running through South Leicestershire. Alberto was interested in our work to replace lock gates at Blue Bank Lock, and it was also an opportunity for us to highlight the towpath improvements that have been made in the area, making it easier for people to boost their physical and mental health by water. The meeting was also chance to share the exciting news that the Grand Union Canal running through South Leicestershire has just been awarded prestigious Green Flag status and we’re grateful to everyone that has supported us in achieving and celebrating this milestone.”
Alberto concluded, “We are really blessed to have such a good stretch of the Grand Union Canal running through South Leicestershire; starting from the beautiful surroundings of the Glen Hills Nature Reserve and then taking in picturesque countryside on the way to Kilby Bridge, we really do have a lovely stretch of water that I know constituents really enjoy. The fantastic new walking and cycle routes at Everards Meadows also link up really well with the nearby canal towpath, so there’s plenty of great outdoor space for residents to take advantage of”.
Alberto is pictured above with Alan Leather (mid), Enterprise Manager at the Canal & River Trust, and Richard Bennett, Heritage and Environment Manager at the Canal & River Trust, at Blue Banks Lock on the Grand Union Canal in South Leicestershire.
