Canal Restoration News

Ashton Canal January / February2006

The New Islington development close to Manchester City centre is now underway and part of the initial infrastructure creation is the channel for the new water link between the Rochdale and Ashton canals close to their historic junction. The broad stretch of what will be waterway and moorings off the main line of the Rochdale Canal close to the city centre is now clearly visible from the upper stories of mills currently being refurbished on the opposite side of the Rochdale Canal in Ancoats Urban Village.

These mills, together with the Rochdale Canal, will form the eastern gateway to the 9-mile long proposed World Heritage Site along the Rochdale and Bridgewater canals and stretching as far as Worsley. At present, it is not possible to see the construction of the new canal from any publicly accessible location.

Stockport Branch

During January, British Waterways engineers have started testing ground samples at three sites (Broadstone Mill, St Elisabeth's School and North Reddish Park) along the route of the Stockport Branch of the Ashton Canal in the Reddish area. The results of these tests should determine how expensive it would be to dispose of the 80,000 cubic metres of infill that has been tipped in the derelict canal between the Eastlands area of Manchester and Broadstone Mill, and the first step towards undertaking full restoration.

Bradford Canal Jan / April 2006

A planning application has been submitted for a major redevelopment of the centre of Bradford, which includes plans to restore the terminus of the Bradford Canal, and which could lead to the restoration of the full canal to connect with the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. British Waterways has undertaken work for the studies to check the feasibility of the plan and help design the new canal terminus in the centre of Bradford.

The route of the proposed restored Bradford Canal along with sites of locks, bridges and other works has been published. The results of a study, conducted for British Waterways, Bradford Centre Regeneration and Bradford Council were unveiled at a prestigious conference in Cannes, France, but made available at a public exhibition in Bradford between 23rd and 29th March. The restored canal would have 11 locks, cost £35 million and terminate as the centrepiece to a planned £350 million redevelopment in the centre of Bradford. Redevelopment of the canal corridor is estimated to stimulate £470 of investment in the area, create 5,900 new jobs and include the building of 5,000 new homes.

Cromford Canal Feb 2006

The Friends of Cromford Canal was formed in March 2002 to campaign to reopen the entire length of the Cromford Canal including the route to Pinxton. The group now has about 700 members. http://www.cromfordcanal.org.uk

The Friends of Cromford Canal, Derbyshire County Council and UK Coal have reached an agreement to defer the final restoration of the river Erewash diversion channel in the Smotherfly Opencast Site. This will allow the Friends to put together a comprehensive scheme for the restoration of the Pinxton Arm of the Cromford Canal, and gives the Friends an opportunity to demonstrate the benefits of restoring the canal through the former opencast site.

When permission was given for opencast mining in the area in the 1990s, the planning permission required the site to be restored to agriculture and other uses after the coal was extracted. During the work, the Erewash was diverted into a deep channel around the site, and it was planned that when the final restoration scheme was implemented, the river would be diverted back into its original course and the diversion channel filled in. The diversion channel was built nearly on the line of the original canal, and so could easily be used as the basis for the restoration of the Pinxton Branch. This has now (April 08) been given planning permission.

Driffield Navigation

Work started on 5th November 2001 to complete the replacement of new lock gates on Snakeholme Lock (a listed structure built in the 1700's). This is the first lock to be restored on the Driffield Navigation and is one more step towards the re opening of the Driffield Navigation which appears to be some what forgotten waterway when it comes to UK waterways restoration.

There's more information at www.driffieldnavigation.co.uk.

Fens Waterway Link

The Fens Waterways Link is a partnership project to develop a new navigation link in the Fens for broad beam craft, connecting Boston, Lincolnshire with the Great Ouse in Cambridgeshire. It will enable most inland waterway boats to travel between the northern waterways, via the Trent, Fossdyke and Witham navigations, and the Nene, which in turn connects with the Great Ouse and the Middle Level.

Once the Bedford to Milton Keynes Waterway is complete, broad craft will be able to reach the Grand Union Canal and other southern waterways. This new circuit would encompass the cathedral cities of Lincoln, Peterborough and Ely. It will create 87km of extra navigable waterways in the low-lying Fens and make a further 160km more accessible to increased numbers of people.

The Environment Agency - supported by local councils, development agencies, East Anglian Waterways Association, and IWA - collectively Fens Waterways Regeneration Strategy Group - has previously commissioned two pre-feasibility studies, which identified the preferred ring to link the cities.

These studies identified major engineering issues along the route at Padholme and Peakirk Pumping Stations, Fulney Lock, Guthram Gowt, Hermitage Lock, Salter's Lode, Fenton Lode and Denver Sluice. Other important considerations are the restoration of the South Forty Foot Drain, and the conservation of the Great Ouse and Nene Washes, both recognised by the European Union as sites of environmental significance.

Initial studies have indicated that the project is a major opportunity for development and regeneration. Increased tourism and more diversified employment opportunities are expected, as well as improved management of flood risk and a more integrated navigation system in the Fens.

The initial phase of the Implementation Plan is due to be completed by the end of 2003 and work to improve recreational and tourist facilities should then begin. Construction of the entire link could take as long as twenty years.

The project is being part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund, East Midlands Development Agency, Lincolnshire County Council & the Environment Agency. Other Funding Partners include Boston Borough Council, Cambridgeshire County Council, East Anglian Waterways Association, Fenland District Council, South Holland District Council and IWA, with significant support from Fens Tourism.

Lancaster Canal Northern reaches

The Northern Reaches Restoration Group aims to restore the Lancaster Canal to Canal Head, Kendal, and comprises of seven partners - The Lancaster Canal Trust, Lancashire County Council, Lancaster City Council, Cumbria County Council, South Lakeland District Council, The Inland Waterways Association and British Waterways

The 14½ mile (25km) Northern Reaches of the Lancaster Canal were effectively blocked in the 1960s by the construction of the M6 which severed the waterway in three places.

A feasibility study on the restoration of the Northern Reaches of the Lancaster Canal has been produced. The proposed scheme tackles three motorway and four trunk road crossings and includes the enhancement and conservation of 52 historically important and listed structures. A desk top Conservation Plan study of the area has been commissioned, with a view to having a full conservation plan established by March 2003. The group is also in discussions with the NWDA, who will commission an economic impact study — showing the full value of the project to the north west.

A strategy for funding of this vast scheme has also begun to take shape, and is being led by The Waterways Trust, who have become the eighth partner in the Northern Reaches Restoration Group. Click to see the official Northern Reaches website.

Lichfield & Hatherton Canals November 2005

The Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust was formed in 1988 and is a registered charity. It campaigns for the restoration of the Lichfield Canal and also the Hatherton Canal through Cannock. http://www.lhcrt.org.uk/

IWA has made a grant of £5,000 to the Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust towards the purchase of a JCB 804 excavator, to be used on the restoration of the Lichfield and Hatherton canals. The machine purchased is three years old and should give many years service.

The Trust is already using the machine at its high profile-site alongside Tamworth Road, near Lichfield. For many years, the Trust has enjoyed the occasional loan of a JCB 803 excavator owned by Waterway Recovery Group, which was purchased from the proceeds of the Association’s Golden Jubilee Appeal. However, that machine is in great demand for restoration projects across the country, and the acquisition of an excavator by the Trust should enable it to better plan its work and allow a more sustained effort towards restoring the canals.

Manchester Bolton & Bury Canal November 2005

Work to build the first and most important section of the Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal is underway in Salford. Funding for the £4.2million restoration of the first phase at Middlewood has been granted from European Objective Two Funding, the Northwest Regional Development Agency and Salford City Council.

The 500-metre stretch will reconnect the waterway with the river Irwell through the £600 million Middlewood Locks commercial development site, which will include housing, hotels, restaurants, bars and leisure facilities.

The 15¼-mile long Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal is one of the last major waterways in Greater Manchester to require restoration. Work started on the first phase in October 2005 with the Middlewood section due to be navigable by the end of 2006.

Work will include the construction of a new canal channel, three locks, two basins and a footbridge. A tunnel was incorporated into the design of the Manchester and Salford inner ring road to accommodate the future restoration. Campaigners see this as the first crucial step in the full restoration of the Canal

The Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal is a key element in the regeneration of the Irwell and Croal Valleys, linked to other initiatives within the wider corridor. At a celebration held at the Lowry in Salford on 21st October, those attending had the opportunity to visit the site and then demonstrating the partnership nature of the project there were presentations from representatives of British Waterways, Manchester Bolton & Bury Canal Society, the private developer, Salford City Council and North West Development Agency.

Work has already started on the planning for the next section in Salford. At the event credit was given to the Manchester Bolton & Bury Canal Society for their work and perseverance over the years. Also present at the event were the mayors of Bolton and Bury.

Montgomery Canal Feb 2006

On 17th January, the Heritage Lottery Fund announced a grant of £547,500 to British Waterways to enable the restoration of a further length of the Montgomery Canal in Shropshire, the creation of a new nature reserve and to provide for some footpath and interpretation improvements on the dry section of the canal, to help link the restored canal with Llanymynech Heritage Area. The Heritage Lottery Fund has also announced a further grant of £490,000 to Shropshire County Council towards restoration work, access and education work at Llanymynech. The County Council work was developed in partnership with Oswestry Borough Council, British Waterways and Shropshire Wildlife Trust.

Currently, the seven miles (11 kilometres) of the Montgomery Canal open to navigation terminates just south of Maesbury. The works funded by the Lottery Fund grant are due to start in June, and will extend the restoration as far as Redwith Bridge, close to Llynclys. The overall cost of these works is £1.1 million; other funding is to be provided by European Interreg grant, BW, Shropshire Union Canal Society and IWA.

The project follows on from successful completion of the Conservation Management Strategy for the canal, developed by the Montgomery Canal Partnership, and which will provide a way forward for the restoration. The Strategy now has the support of the local authorities, English Nature, English Heritage and boating organisations, and will be used to support further funding applications for restoration through to Llanymynech and then Welshpool. The Conservation Management Strategy is to be officially launched at the Welsh Assembly on 7th February, and also at the Houses of Parliament by Owen Paterson MP and Lembit Opik MP on 8th February.

Uttoxeter Canal restoration

The objectives of the Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust are to restore, preserve, maintain in good order and improve the existing Caldon Canal and all the former arms of the canal including the branch known as the Uttoxeter Canal (to which the Caldon Canal is currently the only link) - for the use and benefit of the public. Previously known as the Caldon Canal Society, the organisation was formed by enthusiasts in 1963 in response to notices closing the canal after traffic had declined in the 1950s. Volunteers began the restoration works and in 1974 the Caldon Canal was reopened, the Society having been instrumental in bringing about a partnership agreement between Staffordshire County Council, Stoke-on-Trent City Council and British Waterways Board. This spirit continues today, with our new title reflecting our extended aims. (Reg. Charity No. 259766)

The Trust's objectives with respect to the Uttoxeter Canal are:
1. To preserve the line of the Uttoxeter Canal and maintain in good order the structures and lengths of canal that still exist;
2. To promote the creation of a walking route along the length of the Uttoxeter Canal utilising as much of the original towpath as possible;
3. To investigate the feasibility of restoring to navigation some or all of the Uttoxeter Canal.

Through achievement of these goals C&UCT hope to protect from destruction and development the line of the former Uttoxeter Canal – and also that of the North Staffordshire Railway that was subsequently built along part of the waterway. By preserving these routes throughout the Churnet Valley the restoration of both a railway and waterway in the former ‘double track’ corridor may be fully examined - in order to create safe, sustainable ways for all to access, use and explore the valley’s many stunning destinations: Cheddleton, Consall, Froghall, Oakamoor, Alton, Crumpwood, Denstone and Rocester.

Volunteers from the Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust, Waterway Recovery Group and The Inland Waterways Association commenced restoring the Uttoxeter Canal at Froghall on 7 February 2003. The volunteers worked in partnership with British Waterways on the £800,000 “Destination Froghall” rural regeneration and restoration initiative in the heart of the Churnet Valley. At Froghall the Caldon Canal terminates at its former junction with the Uttoxeter Canal, in the shadow of preserved limekilns where limestone was transhipped from the Cauldon Lowe quarry tramways on to narrow boats and later the North Staffordshire Railway - now the Churnet Valley Railway, preserved and operated by volunteers.

On 23 July 2005 the restored first lock and basin of the Uttoxeter Canal at Froghall were re-opened to provide moorings for visiting boats, footpaths giving inclusive access around the site, seating areas and sympathetic landscaping including tree planting, wildlife habitat, a pond and a stumpery. An important feature from the industrial revolution has been saved from dereliction and brought back into use to be enjoyed by local residents and visitors to Staffordshire: The Canal County.

Government planning guidelines (PPG13) and directives exist that should preserve the lines of former waterways and railways from development that may hinder their future restoration.

Wilts & Berks Canal

The Wilts & Berks Canal was promoted from 1793 as a means of providing cheap transport. The Bill empowering construction of the canal received Royal Assent in 1795 and the canal was cut from the Kennet & Avon Canal at Semington, near Melksham, to the river Thames at Abingdon during the years 1796 to 1810. A link from Swindon to the Thames & Severn Canal at Latton (near Cricklade) was completed in 1819. This link, known as the North Wilts Canal, allowed traffic to bypass the difficult river Thames navigation between Lechlade and Abingdon. The main line of the canal was 52 miles long, with six miles of branches and nine miles of the North Wilts Canal. It was cut to take narrow boats 72 feet long and seven feet wide, carrying 35 tons. There were 42 locks on the main line, 11 on the North Wilts Canal and three on the Calne branch. There were three short tunnels. The canal enjoyed a period of prosperity between 1817 and 1841. However, with the coming of the Great Western Railway in 1841 decline set in. Stanley Aqueduct between Chippenham and Calne collapsed in 1901, stopping through traffic, and the canal was abandoned by Act of Parliament in 1914.

The Wilts & Berks Canal Trust was formed with the aim of protecting, conserving and improving the route of the Wilts & Berks and North Wilts Canals, and branches, for the benefit of the community and environment. Its ultimate goal is to restore a continuous navigable waterway linking the Kennet & Avon Canal at or near Melksham, the river Thames at or near Abingdon, and the Thames & Severn Canal at or near Cricklade. http://www.wbct.org.uk/ The Trust was originally called the Wilts & Berks Canal Amenity Group and was formed in 1977. The Trust's current membership stands at more than 1,600 people and businesses. A county boundary change in 1974 transferred the eastern section of the canal from Berkshire to Oxfordshire.

Wilts and Berks Canal Trust – extract from 'Our vision'
Completion of the Wilts & Berks Canal between Abingdon, Melksham and Cricklade via Swindon will be a major regional event in the re-invigoration of the national waterway network. While boating activity will provide the backdrop, the canal and its environment will provide a venue for thousands of casual visits to key destinations along the route. Walkers cyclists and fisherman as well as the boaters will enjoy the canal facilities, and the special water environment will encourage many species to enhance the biodiversity of the canal corridor. The rebuilt towpaths will provide accessibility to the countryside and the canal a green corridor in the towns along the route.
Future completion of these Restorations will deliver two major holiday cruising rings centred on Swindon… one weeks journey via Cricklade, Lechlade, Oxford and Abingdon and using the Wilts and Berks Canal to return to Swindon, and a two week journey via Abingdon, Goring, Reading, Newbury, Devizes and Melksham and unsing the Wilts and Berks Canal to return to Swindon.
None of this will be completed overnight. But it is a vision that – because it is adding onto existing major regional waterways – is already more than half there. The Trust, along with its Partners, has set itself two targets to complete the remainder:- 2014 which is the Centenary of closure and 2025 which is the challenge set by British Waterways.
Abingdon (2006) is only the first of three new junctions with the national network to be established in the next 5 years, the others are at Melksham and Cricklade. By 2014 these junctions will be extended along the historic routes towards interesting urban destinations:-- Lacock, Chippenham, Calne, Wantage, Grove, Uffington, Cricklade and Swindon. In 2025 (or sooner) the restoration will be complete-- and Swindon will be the hub of the two rings described above.