No extra licence needed for Bridgewater boats

[Guest]

[Kate]

BW has agreed to extend its arrangement with the Manchester Ship Canal Company to allow pleasure craft displaying a valid Bridgewater Canal licence to travel beyond Burscough and along the Liverpool Canal Link which is due to open in 2008.

Currently, Bridgewater licence holders can travel for a period of seven days free of charge along the Leigh Branch and from Wigan to Burscough and from Wigan to the bottom of Blackburn Locks. In a reciprocal agreement, British Waterways' licence holders can use the Bridgewater Canal free of charge for up to seven days.

Debbie Lumb, General Manager, British Waterways North West commented:

“I am pleased to extend the agreement allowing Bridgewater Canal licence holders to use the Leeds & Liverpool Canal Link. The agreement was reached following a request by a boater on the Bridgewater Canal. With the Canal Link opening by the end of 2008, the extension will allow more boaters to utilise this historic stretch of waterway and experience the new stretch of waterway too.”