Heritage
plaques, story board panels and entry and exit signs are set to point the way to and
around Coventry’s 5.5 mile stretch of canal.
Commissioned by City Development, with £45,000 won from Europe and the Single
Regeneration Budget it is hoped that they will encourage more local people to get down to
the waterside and enjoy and learn about their canal.
All of the signs have been designed to give the whole area a comprehensive and unique
identity and to ensure that people feel confident and safe to use the canal. Once they are
in place everyone using the canal will know where they are, where they are oing and how
long it will take to get there.
Nick Nolan, Chair of the Economic Regeneration Policy Team said,
"The canal is very much a part of the city and these signs will help point the way
to a brighter future, encouraging more Coventry people and visitors to use our revitalised
canal for recreation, walks, short cuts and pleasant detours through the city."
Heritage plaques will tell the canal story in words and pictures and significant
buildings or sites such as Cash’s buildings and the old Daimler Power House will be
marked and explained. The ‘Living with Water’ boards will tell a variety of
stories of factual and fictional canal characters and will include historical,
contemporary and wildlife stories. There is for example, the story of Patrick Riley –
a navvy who helped build the canal and Dolly – a mule who drew canal boats along the
water.
Information and panels will be sited at each of the 26 entry points providing
information in words and maps about places to visit nearby, exits, bus stops, toilets and
telephones.