Improvements by Leicestershire County Council to the Langar Lane bridge will include strengthening and widening to incorporate a new footway and the capability to add a hydraulic system.

This will enable the bridge to be raised and lowered as boats pass beneath. All work is expected to be completed before Christmas.

The canal was formally abandoned in 1936 and several highway improvement schemes since then have led to the replacement of the original arched hump-backed bridges, such as the one at Langar Lane.

Local residents' groups, including the Grantham Canal Society, are keen to restore the canal to its former glory to enable boats and barges to use it again.

Lesley Pendleton, cabinet lead member for highways and transportation, said: "It was important that the aspiration of the local residents' groups were incorporated within the proposals for the replacement bridge at Harby.

"This is why our engineers have cleverly designed a bridge that will initially sit at existing road level but has the capability of being hydraulically raised and lowered in the future, to an appropriate height, to enable the passage of boats and barges."

Mike Stone, from the Grantham Canal Society, said: "The aim of the society is to restore the canal as a fully navigable waterway, not just for commercial use but for all leisure boating including canoes, trail boats and narrow boats to add their own colour and vitality to the rural setting.

"Since 1990, one road bridge, three farm bridges and one foot bridge have been restored to navigable height and five locks have been restored.

"In addition, 22 miles of the canal now have an all-weather tow path which enables access by many users including walkers, cyclists, anglers and bird watchers."

It runs for 33 miles from the River Trent at West Bridgford through the Vale of Belvoir to Grantham.

E-mail your news and views to comment@granthamjournal.co.uk

Don't forget your copy of the Grantham Journal this Friday!

Click here to follow us on Twitter!