AN £8 million scheme to upgrade the Bridgewater Way wil be discussed at Sale East Neighbourhood Forum on March 17.

Mike Webb from Peel Holdings will outline the plans for the canal area at the meeting at the Chambers at Waterside Arts Centre between 7pm and 8pm.

The project will benefit from a slice of a £50m prize after the charity Sustrans won a TV vote for the £50m People's Lottery grant.

Part of this windfall will be spent on the Bridgewater Way project, to improve the towpath surface access points, information signage and street furniture.

The work is due to start on the Sale and Stretford towpath later this year. It is hoped that the full length of the Bridgewater Canal towpath can be improved by 2011 - the canal's 250th anniversary.

The discussion about the project will be preceded by an open forum from 6pm, when residents can talk to council officers and staff from partner agencies, including the police and housing associations.