LAND ownership is now the biggest challenge to a full restoration of the Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Canal.

The claim is made in the latest book chronicling the restoration.

Rescued from Obscurity... the Continuing Story of the Hereford & Gloucester Canal, is written by Dick Skeet, former chairman of the Herefordshire & Gloucester Canal Trust (HGCT).

In updating the project’s progress, Mr Skeet says that land ownership is by far the greatest challenge.

Possession of the line of the canal is now shared by over 100 landowners, he says, some sympathetic to restoration, some indifferent and a few who oppose it.

One of the trust’s priorities over the coming years must be building up its land holding wherever it can, says Mr Skeet.

A land fund has been set up to aid the trust’s acquisition of new sites as it pieces together the complete 34-mile waterway.

A restored canal basin was part of the original Edgar Street Grid plan and HGCT helped secure consent for what is now the Hereford Retail Park – on the site of the old Newton Road police station – gaining £1.5 million of developer investment and land on a £10 million scheme.

HGCT also has interest in the development of Holmer trading estate and the plan to restore the section of canal passing through the estate and Aylestone Tunnel, which is still in relatively good condition.

The canal took 53 years to build and was completed in 1845 with 22 locks and three tunnels along its route. It closed in 1881.

l Published by Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal Trust, the book retails at £10 and is available from chairman Janet Moult (jmoult@ tiscali.co.uk) or through the trust website www.h-g-canal.org.uk, with £2 added for postage and packing.