BLUE LINKS (Tamise-Deûle-Escaut-Meuse)

Closed

Blue Links led by the French inland waterways body Voies Navigables de France brings together 5 partners from France and Belgium with the objective of restoring of the French-Belgian cross-border link across the rivers Deûle and Escaut - a vital missing link in the larger inland waterway network of the NWE. In so doing, over almost 5 years it will give an industrial and cultural renaissance to the canal-side areas, to provide benefits both to the local population and the environment. In the last 15 years much restoration has already got underway with Objective 2 funds, after the canal was brought to the attention of the British Inland Waterways Association in 1989 (who realised the common heritage link with the industrial canals of the Midlands) and the Nord Pas-de-Calais region (who embarked upon studies for the development of tourist-related activities in 1994). The reopening of the link is intended by 2004. With 92% of the total budget earmarked for investments, the project will have a significant economic impact locally through urban/canal-side regeneration actions, but also a profound transnational impact on the wider east-west inland waterway network by allowing for stronger links and canal activity between the Thames, Deûle, Escaut (Schelde) and Meuse (Maas).

Medium