Plans to develop Derbyshire's waterways have been drafted with the aim of making the most of their potential.

The Councils Cabinet were shown the draft Waterways Strategy and agreed to share it with interested parties for consultation before a final version is submitted in April.

The council owns and maintains 11 miles of canals. This includes Cromford Canal from Cromford Wharf to Ambergate and Butterley Tunnel to Codnor Park Reservoir; Chesterfield Canal from St. Helena's Weir to Staveley and around Heritage Park in Renishaw; Derby and Sandiacre Canal from Lock Lane (junction to the Erewash Canal) to Longmoor Road in Sandiacre.

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Councillor Joan Dixon, our Cabinet Member for Jobs, Economy and Transport, said: "Derbyshire is lucky to have an extensive network of canals which offer lots of opportunities for tourism and economic growth.

"We are keen to protect, enhance and develop all of our waterways and will be looking at the opportunities to do this with the help of partners, communities and voluntary societies.

"This plan is just the start but it will help us find ways to stimulate regeneration across the county by bringing jobs, restoring landscapes and providing different ways to travel to work or school."

The draft strategy will work towards visions which are set out in a five year plan from 2014-19.

(CD/MH)