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The PROSPECTS Foundation is a Registered Charity
and Company Limited by Guarantee
Company Number: 3686719
Registered Charity Number: 1076541

The aim of the canal programme was to improve the appearance and facilities on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in Hyndburn with the aim of encouraging local residents to use the canal and passing tourists to stop and visit local towns.

The canal improvemnet programme was initially started by The PROSPECTS Foundation in the summer of 2002 when local residents were consulted about possible improvements to the canal throughout Hyndburn. Following this consultation process the Foundation spent the majority of 2003 working with the principal land owner, British Waterways, to build up a 'costed' and achievable portfolio of individual projects that made up the canal improvement programme. This information was then used as a basis for funding applications.

The canal programme was officially started in November 2003 when the final element of funding from the Big Lottery Fund (£105,289) was approved. The pot of funding for the programme also included funding from Lancashire Environmental Fund (£51,000), Lancashire County Council (£30,000), Hyndburn Borough Council (£10,000) and Neighbourhood Renewal Community Chest (£1,000).

The work started on site in January 2004 and the vast majority of improvements were completed in time for the official opening by the Mayor of Hyndburn in October 2005. Since then a couple of smaller projects have also taken place to complete the project.

Over the lifetime of the scheme a large number of projects have taken place along the canal and these have helped to make the canal a more pleasurable and welcoming place for local residents and tourists alike.
The projects included:

• Resurfacing 1,400 metres of canal towpath to an improved multi-user standard in Altham, Clayton-le-Moors and Church.
• Improvements to the official Leeds & Liverpool canal 'Halfway Marker' in Church.
• The installation of 8 recycled plastic seats.
• The installation of a recycled plastic picnic table at Tottleworth in Rishton.
• The installation of 15 mooring bollards to enable passing boats to stop and visit the local communities and shops in Clayton, Altham & Oswaldtwistle.
• The installation of 6 'Welcome to' signs on the boundaries of the four townships.
• The repair and rebuild of 160 metres of dry-stone wall at Church Kirk and Donkey back Picnic Site in Church.
• The creation of 2 new viewpoints in Rishton.
• The installation of 3 noticeboards for use by local community groups.
• The creation of a new stainless steel artistic community gateway at Norden.
• The installation of disabled access fishing platforms in all four townships.
• The installation of a new large litter bin for boaters and residents in Rishton.
• Improvements to the canal entrance at Chequers and Whalley Road in Clayton-le-Moors and Tottleworth Canal Bridge in Rishton.
• Improvements to the surface of Peel Arm Bridge in Church.
• Creation of a 120 metre long mural in Oswaldtwistle.
• Dry-stone wall repairs in Clayton-le-Moors.

The main voluntary bodies involved in the project were the four PROSPECTS Panels that covered the canalside towns of Church, Clayton-le-Moors and Altham, Oswaldtwistle and Rishton. These groups developed the initial list of improvements detailed above and over the course of the programme were also involved in aspects of design, location and practical work.