Plans to build a new waterway between Bedford and Milton Keynes are to be considered by a "jury" made up of people living in the area.

The 16-strong group will spend the next three days listening to arguments for and against nine possible routes of the UK's first entirely new canal for a century.

It would link the River Ouse at Bedford with the Grand Union canal at Milton Keynes, and would cost between �80m and �150m.

The manager of the jury project, John May, said: "Citizens' juries give local people the opportunity to express their opinion and influence the delivery of proposed public services."

Economic impact

The 16 people, who all live near the proposed routes, were chosen by independent market researchers.

They will gather in the Marston Vale Forest Visitors Centre to listen to the case put by groups involved in the scheme and those who oppose it.

The jury will then deliver its recommendations to the Bedford and Milton Keynes Waterway Partnership

A feasibility study suggested the new canal could attract 1.5m visitors per year and create 500 new permanent jobs in the local economy.

It is due to be built by 2010.