The Marple stretch of the Peak Forest Canal is one of Stockport borough's most picturesque spots.

And there have been calls for it to get some international recognition.

Hazel Grove MP Lisa Smart argued in Westminster Hall that the 16-lock flight in Marple, and Marple aqueduct and viaduct, should be made a World Heritage site.

Ms Smart made the case during a debate on funding for the Macclesfield and Peak Forest Canals. She argued that such an accolade would recognise the importance that these sites have in the country's industrial heritage.

Lisa Smart - Lib Dem MP for Hazel Grove - on the canalside in Marple (Image supplied)

There are 1,223 World Heritage sites across the world at current. They range from historical ruins to natural landscapes. 35 of them are in the UK - this includes Stonehenge, the Tower of London, Blenheim Palace, the Lake District, and more.

The criteria for a World Heritage Site, according to UNESCO, is that it must be "of outstanding universal value", and it must be either "a masterpiece of human creative genius", "bear exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition", or contain "superlative natural phenomena", among other criteria.

Other sites include the Great Pyramids, The Taj Mahal, Machu Picchu, Easter Island, the Great Barrier Reef, and Yellowstone National Park.

Some of the current World Heritage Sites across the globe. Clockwise from top left: The Bamiyan Buddhas; Machu Picchu; The Great Pyramids; Stonehenge; Easter Island; the Taj Mahal (Bamiyan Buddha image public domain, all others Unsplash)

Speaking in favour of World Heritage status, Ms Smart said: "This lock flight is an extraordinary testament to our industrial and engineering heritage, representing a pivotal era in Britain's industrial past. Such recognition would not only attract global interest – a boost for local tourism – but it would also ensure the locks are protected and celebrated for generations to come.

"We should look at our canals as assets to be cherished, not simply liabilities to be managed. Our canals are not just waterways, they are part of our national story and deeply woven into the fabric of our community. They are remarkable pieces of living heritage that we must protect.

"I am committed to working closely with our local community, with heritage experts and international bodies to make this vision a reality, ensuring that these locks get the recognition they truly deserve."

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