Boat marks start of port's regeneration (From Stroud News and Journal)

Boat marks start of port's regeneration

THE DELIVERY of a narrow boat symbolised an exciting future for the once thriving Brimscombe Port.

Simpson's Boats, which fits-out and sells steel boat shells, moved its entire operation to the port ahead of the imminent regeneration of the Cotswolds Canals.

"It will be nice to see this being used as a port again and hopefully our boats will soon be going straight out of the shed and into the water," said foreman, Haydn Wheeler, who oversaw Thursday's operation to move the firm from Sharpness.

"We will also expand to start doing the steel work ourselves which will bring in jobs."

Boats have not been a feature of the port since the demise of the Thames and Severn Canal in the 1930s.

"We are the next generation," added Mr Wheeler.

"The regeneration will come and we will be here for the rebirth of the port."

Among those welcoming the arrival of the firm was district councillor Liz Peters (Con, Chalford), who has played a key role in the negotiations.

"They wanted to move and British Waterways wanted to lease the buildings so I got them together," she said.

"Boat building is part of Brimscombe's heritage."

British Waterways regeneration manager Andrew Stumpf said the main financial backers for the regeneration -the Heritage Lottery Fund and the

South-West Regional Development Agency - are set to confirm their support for the canals project next month.

He said: "Subject to getting the nod in January, work on the three year project should start next year."

In a further development, Gloucestershire County Council has agreed to give land worth more than £1 million to the project.