CANAL users are threatening a barricade outside the Anderton Boat Lift to protest at the risks budget cuts pose to Mid Cheshire's waterways.

DEFRA, the Government department responsible for the waterways, has slashed funding for British Waterways (BW) and other organisations that manage the canals and rivers.

They are losing 15% of funding, amounting to £9m, as a result of over-spending on subsidies to farmers by the Rural Payments Agency.

BW has already announced plans to axe 180 jobs around the country to help bridge the budget deficits and canal-users fear that it will lead to many stretches of waterways falling into disrepair or even being closed.

Pressure group Save Our Waterways is organising a campaign to raise public awareness of the situation with a boat blockade taking place on the River Weaver at the Anderton Boat Lift and other 'strategic locations' next weekend.

Amongst the campaigners will be Barnton-based author John Hulme who said the waterways face a 'grave threat' from the budget cuts: 'The effects could be disastrous leading to canal and river maintenance suffering, key staff could be made redundant and canals could even close.

'Locally, we are concerned about the River Weaver, as it is already in a dire state. Our greatest fear is that once a waterway has closed it would never re-open.

'I urge all those with an interest in local waterways, whether they be boat-ers, anglers or ramblers to write to their MP and make their voice known.'

Mike Cooksley, chairman of Visit Chester and Cheshire, said the cuts could have a significant impact on tourism.

He said: 'We do depend a lot on the work and assistance BW provides. The waterways are probably out most unique natural asset and are vital for us so we are very disappointed with the Government's decision to cut funding.'

A BW spokesman said: 'The cuts will affect canals across the country although the number of job losses in specific areas is dependent on consultation with trade unions.'

Cuts will be concentrated among office-based staff to save around £5m a year.

* For details of the Anderton protest, call 01606 784811.