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The Inland Waterways Association (IWA) has today offered a further £20,000 funding towards the Ribble Link, the new waterway that will connect the Lancaster Canal to the main navigable waterways system.

The current design of the project limits the lock size to accommodating boats up to 62 feet (18.9m) long. IWA would like to see thses locks built to the standard length to accommodate full-length narrowboats (72 feet (22m)) and be consistent with the standards of the Lancaster Canal. The Waterways Trust, British Waterways and Ribble Link Trust support the principle of larger locks, but have insufficient funds to build them full length at present.

IWA National Chairman Richard Drake said, "Our proposals to lengthen the locks will cost an estimated additional £90,000, but lengthening these locks in the future would cost several times that amount. IWA is prepared to put up a further £20,000 to achieve the lengthening of the locks and is calling on other organisations with an interest in boating to make substantial contributions to finance the shortfall."

Richard Drake added, "There appears to be no likelihood of any further contributions from landfill operators who have already provided over £800,000 towards the scheme. It is entirely up to organisations concerned with boating to support this scheme. IWA has made an offer and we hope that others will play their part. The final contract for the locks has to be ready by early March so there is no time for a public appeal. Any contributions that are pledged are not required immediately, So long as pledges are made now, it could be up to a year before the money needs to be madse available."

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