Marina latest is a boost for Spa

DROITWICH’S economy has been handed a huge new year boost as the town’s marina development has been filled with 45million litres of water five weeks ahead of schedule.

The latest move was made possible thanks to dry weather conditions over recent months and completes a four-month

transformation of the 11 acre site into a haven for boaters.

Around 300,000 tonnes of materials have been moved by GJP Marina Developments and the new area has been filled with water from the existing British Waterways canal network.

The new marina will now face a ‘stilling test’ to ensure it maintains the correct water level depth of 1.4metres.

Once British Waterways is confident the basin is watertight, the final phase of the entrance of the marina onto the canal will be completed in early February.

The family-owned 238-space Droitwich Spa Marina will also boast services to each jetty (water and electricity), a luxury toilet, shower and bathroom facilities, office, fuel/pump out service areas and associated footpaths.

According to British Waterways, the opening of the canals and the inclusion of the marina will see a 20 per cent increase in use on the Worcester to Birmingham Canal and River Severn and some 3,300 boat movements on the canal.

The biggest boost is set to be the local economy, with an additional 330,000 visitors generating an estimated £2.5million over the next five years.

Jason Leach, strategic enterprise manager from British Waterways, said: “One of the key aims of the restoration of the Droitwich Canals was to support the local economy, provide a visitor attraction and create business opportunities.

“We are delighted Droitwich Spa Marina is the first to take make the most of the canals restoration.

Landowner John Weston said: “We look forward to welcoming boaters, we cannot believe how quickly the

transformation from field to marina has happened.

“Just like a motorway needs service stations and car parking, so does a canal, hence a need for narrowboat marina,” he

added.

Droitwich residents can find out more about the marina with an open day on January 21 from 10am to 3pm.

Visit: www.droitwichspamarina.co.uk or call 07970 626807 for more.