大象传媒

Government cuts to the grant given to the body that looks after the nation's canals would have a 'devastating impact' warns the regional director of the charity.

The Canal and River Trust, which looks after 2,000 miles of waterways in England and Wales, could see funding reduced by 拢300 million from 2027.

A review, published on 11 July, said the trust should aim for a 'reduced reliance on government funding.'

The Canal and River Trust said the cuts would 'turn the clock back on one of the greatest heritage regeneration stories.'

The review, carried out by the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra), said the trust had 'so far demonstrated value for money', but added 'We should go further in moving them into a position of reduced reliance on government funding.'

The trust said canals support 80,000 jobs and contribute 拢1.5 billion annually to the economy.

大象传媒 Radio Leicester reporter Sara Palmer has been to meet East Midlands regional director of the Canal and River Trust Linny Beaumont at one of Leicestershire's canals.

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