Petition launched to save canal building at Sutton Stop

[dutchman]

It is currently closed for safety reasons caused by an unsafe roof



Residents have called for a services building used by boaters at a Coventry beauty spot to be saved. Sutton Stop, Hawkesbury Junction, is known for its picturesque beauty and historic bridges and buildings.

Due to this, it is a popular area for boaters, residents and walkers alike - not to mention drinkers and diners thanks to the much-loved Greyhound pub nearby.

But there is a concern about the services building located there which has been closed to boaters for some time. A petition has been started online which urges the Canal and River Trust (CRT), the society that operates the site, to restore the building and get it open again.

The trust has told CoventryLive it is closed due to work needed to fix an unsafe roof, and that no plans have been made for its future at this stage.

The petition, set up by Karen Spooner, reads: "This is a vital resource for boaters as well as those travelling through Hawkesbury Junction and it also impacts the local area's economy and community spirit.

"The canal network is a cherished part of our heritage and lifestyle, and the undermining of its services can have far-reaching consequences.

"Removal of the building is not a sustainable or community-focused solution. Instead, CRT should prioritize responsible management and maintenance to restore the services building to full operation."

Asked for a comment, the Canal and River Trust Society responded to tell us "the building is currently closed due to an unsafe roof so we've had to close it for safety reasons".

They added that at this stage the trust "has not made any decisions regarding the long-term future of the building".