Petition against more spending on Daventry's canal plans, as total tops Â£1.2 million

A computer design of how the narrowboat lift may look

Daventry’s Labour Party has launched a petition against the spending, which would add to the £1.279 million already spent by Daventry District Council on the canal and waterside project over the past 10 years.

The canal and waterspace proposals were set out by DDC in 2005 and include a water front development on the Eastern Way playing field, linked to the Grand Union Canal by a new canal arm.

A planning application for the canal arm was lodged in 2012, but has yet to be decided on. It includes a series of canal locks to raise boats out of the town and up to the level of the main canal.

DDC says replacing these locks with a more impressive boat lift would attract tourists and boaters to the town.

But the Labour Party disagrees.

Labour leader on DDC Cllr Wendy Randall said: “As councillors we are expected to reflect and represent the views of our constituents.

“Over the years I’ve had many people mention the canal and boat lift to me. I can only remember one who was in favour of it.

“The council has now approved £110,000 for plans to be drawn up for a boat lift.

“Cllr Abigail Campbell and myself [the Labour members] said we would not agree to this.”