1). The prestigious Kingfisher Award has been given for the third successive year to prominent members of the IWA's Manchester branch. The Waterways Minister, Angela Eagle, MP, made the presentation to Ian and Eileen Gall for their efforts in local environmental affairs.
2). The Environmental Agency is in the process of drawing up its Corporate Plan for 1989/99; "an Environmental Strategy for the Millennium and Beyond". IWA has responded to the A's consultation documents and welcomed the Agency's stated commitment to improve its rivers and estuary navigations; particularly in regard to commercial and recreational use.
3). The Inland Waterways Amenity Advisory Council has asked for a study of priorities in
waterway restoration. IWAAC is a Government appointed body chaired by Viscountess Knollys.
During October last, interested parties including Canal Restoration Societies, were invited
to make contributions. IWA's policy up to this time has been to oppose moves to prioritise
restoration projects. IWA fears that prioritisation would be a divisive influence between
restoration groups competing for funds. In the prevailing strapped for cash situation,
waterway restoration schemes should be assessed at a local level against other non-waterway
projects in the context of the benefits to be gained locally. The principle of a list of
priorities on a national basis is seen by IWA as being purely subjective and un-helpful to
most restoration schemes.
However, the Heritage Lottery Fund is now awaiting publication of the study before giving
consideration to further funding awards. The Fund advises that it is not going to be able to
finance even a relatively small proportion of the canal projects currently in the pipeline.
Future bids on the scale of the Kennet and Avon award are not likely to be favoured.
HLF now prefer bids of less than £500,000, with faster processing for projects under
£100,000. However, they will consider a project for restoration of a canal to its original
historic state so long as the bid takes the form of a programmed approach, drawing down funds
over a number of years. Proposals to re-route the waterway or build entirely new structures
will not be favourably received. HLF are to issue new guidelines for applicants in April.
The Fund's Trustees say they are keen to see nature conservation and industrial archaeology
given substantial weighting in the review. They appreciate IWA's concern that awards should
not be concentrated on a small number of outstandingly important waterway projects; and are
sympathetic towards small local schemes which enhance canal access, and promote education and
interpretation. The Lottery Fund has adopted a similar approach to other areas of
restoration including piers and historic ships. Submission of IWAAC's study is expected
in late June this year.
4). Against background noises that large scale funding from the National Lottery for restoration projects is unlikely to continue at the same level as in the past two years, the IWA wishes to assist restoration groups in maximising grant monies received from sources of funds. IWA is co-operating with IWAAC in its study of restoration priorities. A questionnaire is being circulated by IWAAC in February to all restoration groups; accompanied by a letter explaining how the responses are to be analysed. IWAAC wishes to reassure groups whose projects are at very early stages will not be put at any disadvantage by inclusion in the study. IWA's Restoration Committee have sent out a detailed funding brief to all Canal Societies; it covers the latest information on National Lottery Funds, Regional Development Agencies, Landfill Tax, Local Heritage Initiative, Europe amongst other sources.
4). The Landfill Tax has been yielding less revenue than anticipated for HM Customs and Excise who are currently reviewing the tax. IWA has hastened to lobby the Excise Department that the tax exemption on dredgings from inland waterways and harbours should be retained.
5). The cost of diesel fuel for UK pleasure craft is under threat from a European Community Directive which would remove the right of Member States to exempt the use of certain diesel oils for specific purposes. Currently, private pleasure craft owners are able to use the same pumps for red diesel as commercial users.; the average cost being about 25p. per litre. If the proposed Directive were to come into force, private users would have to switch to white diesel as used by road vehicles. The cost of fuel would then jump to 65p. or more per litre. Dawn Primaralo, MP, the Treasury Minister responsible for Customs and Excise matters, has reassured IWA that the EC Directive will be refuted unless it is seen to be in line with UK policy.
7). The proposed route of the Trafford Park extension to Manchester's Metrolink system at the point where it crosses the Bridgewater Canal is being reviewed. Greater Manchester Passenger Executive are in consultation with IWA concerning the changes.
8). Recent surveys on the Trent and Mersey Canal have revealed the need for resealing operations on the section between locks 53 and 57 at Hassal Green. Consequently, the canal will be closed for a period of about 6 weeks early in the year.
9). On the River Weaver, refurbishment work on the Town Bridge in Northwich will extend over a period of 24 weeks from the end of January. The Grade 2 listed bridge is 98 years old. BW have undertaken to retain its historic characteristics. Health and Safety Regulations require the electric motors which power the opening mechanism to be renewed.
10). Exhaust and noise emissions from marine engines are the subject of a new proposed directive from the EC. Its intention is to tighten up the permitted levels of emitted toxic gases and noise. Although the new exhaust gas levels appear reasonable, the proposals on noise restriction appear excessively severe. IWA has therefore joined BMIF (the British Marine Industry Federation) in rejecting the noise proposals; pending further investigation into what levels can be reasonably achieved by current technology and the knock-on effects on the boat building trade.
11). The canal boat licensing arrangements are to be reviewed thanks to IWA's lobbying efforts. The decision to end reciprocal licensing arrangements between British Waterways and the Environment Agency is to be revoked. A working group has been set up to consult user groups as part of its remit to review the situation. A national licence is a possible outcome. The working group is due to report back in the Autumn.
12). Michael Payne has stood down from the position of IWA North West Region Chairman because of ill health. John Fletcher, the Manchester Branch, Chairman has been elected to take his place. The new Branch Chairman is to be Andy Crossley; and the Vice Chairman, Ian Ball.
13). Connie Williams, who was an enthusiastic long term supporter of Manchester Waterways, died recently. Her husband, Ben, continues as a member of IWA's Manchester Branch and North West Region.
14). IWA's Restoration Committee are to arrange a Seminar for Waterway Restoration Groups and other interested parties on the topic of Engineering Aspects of Restoration. The provisional date is 17th October.
15). At this year's National Waterways Festival and Inland Boat Show, (Salford Quays,
Greater Manchester, in August), a standard fee of £25 will be levied on all boats and
caravans, whether IWA members or not. However, IWA members will receive 6 free passes
per boat; non-members will fork out £4 for each pass.
A crossing of the Mersey from Stanley Dock, Liverpool to Eastham is being organised for
cruisers and narrow boats travelling to the Festival. Mustering point is at the Eldonian
Village on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, ready to cross on Saturday 22nd August. After
a successful river traverse, boats will join one or other of the Ship Canal cruises
arranged for 24th and 27th August to complete the voyage. Commemorative plaques will
be available; participants should first check their insurance cover (and water tightness)
of course. The Ship Canal cruises are proving very popular, more than 100 enquiries have
been received to date.
IWA have announced that the site of the 1999 National Waterways Festival is to be
Worcester; dates are 27th to 30th August.
16). The Anderton Boat Lift Trust has been much encouraged by the Heritage Lottery Fund's response to its plan for restoration of this Scheduled Ancient Monument. Unable to provide funding for a proposed new visitor centre because this represents new building work rather than a restoration project; the Lottery Fund has asked for the form of the bid to be revised. The Trust is now to seek other ways of funding on-going maintenance work on the Lift.
17). A section of the Bridgewater Canal was closed for urgent repairs. Morley's Culvert on the Leigh Arm has sprung a leak; sealing work was to be completed by 6th March.
18). The £23 million project to restore the Rochdale Canal is threatened by failure of the Canal's owners to accept the purchase terms of the Restoration Trust. Town Centre Securities is effectively asking for £1 million just for the right of the Trust to restore the canal. The Trust maintains that restoration should be for the public benefit; and refuses to be soaked for private profit. Failure to reach agreement may result in loss of the £11.9 million grant from the Millennium Commission ; consequently a similar amount from English Partnerships would be withdrawn.
19). IWA welcomes a return to sanity in the Birmingham Navigation network. The city council have declined planning permission for a floating restaurant in Gas Street Basin. The proposal was for a four story high craft in the form of a Chinese Junk. It is understood that refusal was on the grounds of incompatibility with the canal heritage rather than the undesirability of junk food.
20). Is the tranquillity of the canal environment soon to be shattered by allowing free for all access to the towpaths by cyclists? A recent joint statement by British Waterways and the Cyclists Touring Club proposes a major extension of cycling on towpaths. This is in response to consultation with Government on its Integrated Transport Policy. BW have proposed a grant of £158 m. of Government money to allow conversion of all 2,900 kilometres of towpaths to cycleways over a period of 7 years; and have also asked for an additional £4.6 m. to cover increased maintenance costs; suggesting that funding should come from an increase in vehicle road tax. IWA is furious, of course, at this threat to the waterway setting; naturally opposing canal-side commuter routes for cyclists as an alternative to the normal tarmac roads. With the exception of a few sections of urban canal; most towpaths are too narrow, with insufficient elbow room for anglers, foot and pedal traffic on the same strip. Even if additional land were purchased to increase the width of the towpath, the proximity of cyclists in a hurry would destroy the waterway atmosphere. The faster pace of modern bicycles is much more in keeping with 20th. century modes of travel than the leisurely pace of 18th. and 19th. century canal boat traffic. IWA is pressing for consultation with all existing users prior to any change in towpath use. Without adequate consultation, the spectre of a NIMBY( or NIMBW, not in my back water) reaction from boaters might arise. However, BW also state that the adapting of towpaths for cycling should at the same time enhance the environmental qualities that make the canals attractive for recreation. At a meeting with IWA on 17th March, good sense prevailed and feelings were tempered. BW agreed to undertake full local consultation with IWA, Canal Societies and other user groups at all stages in developing cycle-way proposals; also to preserve the canal environment; and to press for a financial contribution towards maintenance costs. Meanwhile, boy racers on bi-cycles might be well advised to wear life jackets in addition to crash helmets!
21). The restoration project for the Ten Commandments on the Runcorn and Weston branch of the Bridgewater Canal has not yet been successful in attracting funds. Halton Borough Council have been protecting the line of the locks as a green corridor; and together with IWA have been pushing for restoration. The Heritage Lottery Fund declines its support because the level of the canal would need to be lowered to pass under the Runcorn to Widnes Bridge approach road. Consequently, some of the original locks would not be restored. The project now depends on the construction of a second Runcorn to Widnes Bridge which involves re-alignment of the approach roads to the present bridge. Estimate of time scale for realising the project is currently ten years.
22). IWA have released details of the Bronze Plaque to be awarded to successful boaters
after completing end to end passage of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.
Details of the joint promotion by IWA and BW, together with the necessary Log Sheet for
recording the voyage; can be obtained by sending an S.A.E. to Graham Eastwood,
61 School Lane, Leyland, PRESTON, PR5 1TU.
23). British Waterways have consulted IWA about Channel Dimensions, i.e. depth and width. In future dredging operations, BW intend to restore the original canal profiles. Closely linked to this is BW's proposal to upgrade most waterways still categorised as "Remainder". When a canal is listed as "Remainder", BW are restricted as to the amount of expenditure that can be made; also has the power to close or sell off the waterway if a financial advantage can be seen. BW say that an agreed set of Channel Dimensions is essential prior to the upgrading of a Remainder Waterway. IWA welcomes these moves; their response is appropriately in "draught" form.
24). BW propose to change their policy on short term licensing. Most of the current one-day arrangements are to be replaced by licences for a minimum period of one month for all craft except the very smallest. IWA are to respond constructively.
Extracted by George Bruce