Foleshill residents will be the first to benefit from a greater understanding and enjoyment of one of the City’s greatest treasures. Coventry City Council has won over £280,000 of European funding to set up a Canal Corridor Ranger Service and continue the Canal Enhancement Programme.

The ‘Foleshill Canals Alive’ project will see a team of Rangers work with the local community to develop an events and education programme based around the canal, towpath and surrounding area. They will also patrol the area, reporting incidents or problems and provide a measure of security for local people and visitors.

The Canal Enhancement Programme will continue the work with landowners to improve run-down property along the canal and to develop easier access to the canal for everyone.

Councillor John McNicholas, Chair of the Environment and Transportation Policy Team and Groundwork Board member was delighted:

"This grant of £280,000 from Europe is great news and will enable us to encourage local people and visitors to make greater use of the Canal Corridor. The funding will also boost the local economy and enable the Canals Alive Team to help local businesses to make the most of the opportunities presented by the canal and encourage new businesses to invest in the area."

The funding comes from the EU’s European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and will support the project until the end of 2001. The Council will be monitoring the success of the Ranger Service. If the service is as successful as expected, it is hoped that sponsorship can be found to continue well into the new millennium. The City Council, working with Groundwork Coventry, British Waterways and others has already invested over £1.25 million pounds in the Canal Trail.