PONTCYSYLLTE AQUEDUCT'S NOMINATION FOR WORLD HERITAGE STATUS

That this House notes with pleasure the announcement by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport that Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is to be one of the United Kingdom's three nominations to UNESCO for consideration as a World Heritage site; recognises that Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is one of the world's most renowned and spectacular achievements of waterways engineering; applauds the huge efforts made by the supporters of the Aqueduct's bid; further notes that, if successful, Pontcysyllte Aqueduct would be only the third World Heritage site in Wales; further notes that 2007 will be the 250th anniversary of the birth of Thomas Telford, the Aqueduct's engineer, and that it would be a fitting tribute to his engineering genius to ensure the completion of Pontcysyllte Aqueduct's nomination documents; and urges the Government, in conjunction with the Welsh Assembly, to press UNESCO at every opportunity to ensure Pontcysyllte Aqueduct's successful application.