Sankey Canal Restoration Society



Volume 3, Number 9 - Autumn 1997

DIGEST OF NEWS FROM THE INLAND WATERWAYS ASSOCIATION (IWA) PRESS RELEASES

1) IWA believes it has achieved an important breakthrough in waterway restoration at the Thames and Severn Canal. A new bypass road is being constructed across the line of the canal restoration project. It has now been announced that a navigable culvert is to be built underneath the new A419 Latton Bypass. This establishes an important precedent for restoration schemes and bodes well for the Sankey Canal restoration. [But see note 13]

2) Boat owners have been receiving a revised copy of British Waterways document "Boat Licence and Mooring Permit Conditions" along with their renewed boat licences. IWA have now responded to British Waterways; and have submitted detailed comments on the document. British Waterways have agreed to update the document.

3) Work on the Liverpool and Leeds Canal locks at Wigan and Johnson's Hillock is scheduled to keep the canal closed over the Christmas period. However, IWA have asked British Waterways to consider reopening for navigation. Following the Heritage Lottery Fund award, major engineering works are due to start at Linton Locks from September to end March 1998. The locks will be closed to navigation throughout the work which comprises stabilising the lock structure, the island and upstream and downstream approaches.

4) Anderton Boat Lift Trust has submitted plans for a new Visitor's Centre to Vale Royal Borough Council. The Trust awaits a decision on its application for Heritage Lottery Funding to restore the lift; and expects to hear in the autumn. The new Visitors Centre will generate revenue towards the ongoing maintenance costs of the lift. Meanwhile, a temporary Visitors Centre is being manned by volunteers at the weekends and part of most weekdays.

5) A River Weaver Navigation Society is being formed by members of IWA's Chester and District Branch. The Society's object is to preserve and improve the Weaver for navigation between Winsford and the Manchester Ship Canal. Details are available from Chairman Ron Evans, 3 Beech View Rd, Kingsley, Warrington. Tel: 01925 788763.

6) Stephen Edell is the new Waterways Ombudsman following the change in Government at the General Election. IWA is asking for a fundamental change in the Ombudsman's role. The Ombudsman should not be financed as part of British Waterways management team; but should be appointed and financed solely by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. He should be independent of any navigation authority. Furthermore, the Ombubsman's remit should cover all navigable waterways and not just those run by British Waterways.

7) A new information pack on Boat Safety is now available to visitors to British Waterways and the Environment Agency's waterways. The pack outlines the Boat Safety Scheme's requirements; gives useful advice; and provides tips for boat owners covering How to get a Boat Safety Certificate, Fuel Systems, Fire Extinguishers and Gas Systems. Copies are available from British Waterways Headquarters, tel: 01923 226422.

8) Fly the correct flag on your boat otherwise you may be fined! The appropriate flag for the waterways is the Red Ensign. Under current legislation, it is illegal to fly the Union Jack. However, a written Parliamentary question has prompted Glenda Jackson, the minister responsible for marine legislation into action. The matter is to be reviewed on the next occasion that primary legislation concerning merchant shipping is brought before the House.

9) The Parliamentary Waterways Group remains active and well supported after the recent general election. Recent meetings have considered "the International Aspects of Waterways" and "the Government's Plans for an Integrated Transport Network". The Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions has launched a consultation document which invites views on an integrated transport policy.

10) To celebrate the IWA's Golden Jubilee, souvenir wine glasses have been crafted. They are 12 ounce capacity and etched with IWA Jubilee and British Waterways logos. They may be ordered by telephone on 01727 860137.

11) British Waterways have advised waterway user groups of proposed increases in licence and mooring fees amounting to 13.3% from January 1st. 1998. BW estimate that the new fees will increase their total revenue by £600,000 per annum. Their intention is to increase funding to cover the cost of the backlog of maintenance work. This is currently estimated at £94 million. IWA is formulating a reply which of course will be negative.

12) Next year's National Waterways Festival is to be at Salford Quays, Manchester on August 28th to 31st.

13) The canal restoration movement was dealt a blow by the decision of the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on the Birmingham Northern Relief Road. John Prescott announced that the road scheme should not include provision for funding of crossings for the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal restoration schemes. The Contractors are required to provide foundations only for the required culvert and aqueduct. Otherwise, the crossings are to be financed by the Canal Restoration Trusts. The Minister's decision follows a Public Enquiry. A campaign to reverse the decision has been launched by Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Trust.

14) IWA's Chester Branch are planning to hold their bi-annual rally on 20/21st June 1998. Venue is the Runcorn Arm of the Bridgewater Canal near Norton Priory.

Extracted by George Bruce

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