The county council is seeking views on transferring part of the Ashby Canal route between Snarestone and Measham in north-west Leicestershire to a local charity organisation.
Since 1994, the authority has led the restoration work on the stretch of canal, with a 500-metre section from Snarestone to the new bridge 62 completed in 2015.
However, due to limited third-party funding and its own resource restraints, the council is now considering transferring the ownership of part of the route to the Ashby Canal Association so further restoration of the canal can be progressed.
We remain committed to the canal's restoration, but we are very open to the possibility of transferring the project to a community organisation and that's why we're seeking people's views. The Ashby Canal Association is an active and passionate group and has expressed its willingness to take on the responsibility for delivering this part of the canal
Person:Blake Pain, county council cabinet member for environment
The Ashby Canal Association was established in 1966 and now has over 500 members.
Recently, the charity succesfully completed a £10,000 Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) project to explore and engage local people with the archaeology of Ilott Wharf, and the group has also raised over £100,000 towards restoring the Gilwiskaw Aqueduct, which is key to the next section of the canal
A public consultation is currently underway with residents, local representatives, bodies and businesses and it runs until 20th June.
People are invited to have their say, including suggestions on alternative ways the council could pursue the restoration.
The consultation can be found at leicestershire.gov.uk/ashby-canal-transfer-consultation. Paper copies are also available by emailing EnvironmentTeam@leics.gov.uk
The outcome of the consultation will be discussed by cabinet members later in the year.