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We are actively supporting the Wilts & Berks Canal Partnership in their efforts to restore the canal from Abingdon on the Thames linking with the Kennet and Avon canal south of Melksham. The project now has National Priority Two status in British Waterways vision of the waterway network to 2025 (www.britishwaterways.co.uk/waterways2025)

Over the past six years about £290,000 has been spent on engineering studies along the whole 58 mile route, £120,000 of this has been spent on route studies around Melksham. One engineering report indicates that alterations to the river through Melksham to accommodate the canal would actually reduce the flooding risk to the town. An environmental study has been undertaken.

The Canal Partnership is twinned with the French Nantes-Brest Canal, this raises the profile of the project in seeking European Union funding. It is suggested that the project would be phased with the Abingdon and Melksham junctions first and the central section last. At Swindon there is interest in bringing a spur from the canal into a regenerated town centre. A bid of around £13 million was made to the National Lottery, Living Landmarks fund, this was for the North Wilts section linking the Wilts and Berks to the Cotswold canal north of Swindon, the initial bid was not successful.

The whole canal scheme will rank as one of the largest civil engineering projects in the county, and will present many opportunities for communities along the route, one of these being Melksham.

The canal between the town and Lacock, now being cleared by Melksham, Calne and Chippenham branch of the Canal Trust.