Atkins Feasibility Study
In 2002 East Riding of Yorkshire Council commissioned Cardiff-based consultants Atkins to determine the feasibility of restoring and re-opening the Driffield Navigation. The report, costing £11,000, was funded by a Single Regeneration Budget which set up the Driffield Area Partnership to advise the East Riding of Yorkshire Council.
Organisations such as the town council were asked for their views to represent the opinions of the community and Atkins' study team was in the area throughout August 2002 to assess:
- the quality of Driffield as a tourist destination
- the potential of a restored canal
- the project's environmental impact.
Atkins presented their report in February 2003. They estimated that
- a full renovation would cost about £6.4m.
- annual operating and maintenance costs running at about £116,000.
- local businesses would be employed to renovate the canal.
- the completed project would increase tourism revenue by £310,000 each year.
Trevor Stone, speaking for the Driffield Navigation Trust, said: "First and foremost, the report reinforces our view that the canal is worth opening for its full length and it makes good economic sense to keep it running."