The future of the European Route of Industrial Heritage (ERIH) in the UK has been secured following the handover on 1st May of the Co-ordinator’s role from David Buckley to David de Haan of the Ironbridge Institute, (the leading centre for industrial heritage in the UK), and a team of heritage site representatives. 

This network of popular and outstanding industrial heritage attractions will be encouraging visitors to explore more ERIH sites during 2008/9

ERIH Regional Routes highlight where fashion and food, railways and waterways, power and energy, engineering and manufacturing all had a vital part to play in the development of our industry and our country. The wealth of expertise and skills developed in those industries has been handed down and is still relevant to modern day industry, said David Buckley. I am delighted with our achievement in establishing so many ERIH sites in the UK and it is rewarding to see the youngsters visiting the sites, exploring and valuing their industrial heritage.

After five years of funding from the EU Interreg IIIB funding programme ERIH is moving to the next stage of its development under David de Haan: I am delighted to take over the role as UK Co-ordinator of ERIH and would like to express my thanks to David Buckley and his colleagues for all their work in establishing ERIH and the sites in the UK. We have an excellent existing network and the opportunity to expand ERIH by incorporating other quality heritage sites across the UK. One of my tasks will be to secure the future through different funding options; and I am keen to encourage greater interaction between the sites so that visitor numbers can be increased across the ERIH network.

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