1)British Waterways proposals for their membership scheme has prompted a lively response from interested parties. Over 13,000 responses have been sent in. IWA’s response is cool, fearing loss of members to BW.
2)IWA has objected to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food’s proposal for the closed season for canal fishing. In a formal letter, IWA claimed that the proposal has not been adequately thought through, whilst BW is content to go along with the idea, which is in response to pressure from Angling Clubs. However, the Minister has turned a deaf ear to IWA and dictated that canal fish are to have no annual respite from the attentions of anglers. The minister reasons that there is no benefit to fish or wild life in general in banishing anglers by law from the banks. Other management means must now be found for keeping the peace between anglers and other canal users.
3)The Countryside Agency is pushing for bridle-ways for horses and cycles to be established alongside all inland waterways. It is applying pressure for provision to be made in the Government’s new Conservation Bill now being drafted. BW shrugs off the idea as impracticable and undesirable. Publication of the Bill Draft is expected soon.
4)Anderton Boat Lift made the headlines last November when the first batch of machinery was despatched to BW’s Northwich Repair Yard. A load of cogs from the lifting mechanism was transported along the River Weaver under the eyes of a Press Gathering. A joint Appeal to the public is to be made by IWA, BW, the Anderton Boat Lift Trust, Friends of Anderton Boat Lift and the Waterways Trust to secure the balance of funds needed for restoration. This will be the culminating phase in the £7 million fund-raising campaign. The target is to raise £120,000 between April and the end of August. The Appeal is to be aimed at local residents, visitors, local businesses and boaters. IWA has set the ball rolling by becoming the Appeal’s first “Gold Patron”. IWA handed over a cheque for £10,000 to Martin Bell MP, the appeal’s President on 10th. May.
5)The Government’s Draft Planning Policy Guidance Note on Transport has attracted a positive response from IWA. Support is offered for developing the potential of inland waterways; to encourage water-based recreation; to protect and enhance the waterway environment and to secure waterway integrity next to canal-side developments.
6) Manchester IWA Branch has lodged an objection to a planning application for a large block of new apartments overshadowing the Castlefield area of the Bridgewater Canal.
7)IWA met Manchester Ship Canal management in January. IWA learned of an un-changed attitude to leisure traffic; the canal being seen as first and foremost a commercial waterway especially in the lower reaches; while leisure activity expands at the upper end. The Company prefers leisure traffic to gain access to the River Weaver via the upper canal rather than through Eastham Locks, and convoys of small craft are favoured rather than small numbers of individual craft. The Company stands back from any commitment towards Walton Lock. While not actively promoting renovation of the side lock, it would not be averse to a Third Party funding and managing restoration. Runcorn Locks restoration is viewed favourably with the proviso that water let down through the locks would need to be re-cycled to maintain the Bridgewater Canal’s level.
8)Salford Quays now benefits from the Metrolink tram system extension. A frequent service makes access easy.
9)BW is seeking developers for Nantwich basin on the Shropshire Union. Proposals for development of the whole site by a third party acting on its own or jointly with BW will be considered. The basin has two boatyards, a clubhouse and moorings and was the original terminus of the 1779 Chester Canal. In 1835, the canal was extended to become the Shropshire Union. The basin was at one time the hub of trade in Cheshire Cheese.
10)BW has been honoured by an award for Historic Bridge Work in the year 1999. This recognises its work on Northwich Town Bridge. The award was made in November at the Institution of Civil Engineers. The 100-year old bridge had to be lifted off its pontoons for seven months’ repair work at a cost of £1.5m. to allow it to take modern traffic levels. 11)The Waterway Recovery Group (WRG) seeks volunteers with an excess of energy to work off, and a sense of fun, to go on weekend canal camps this summer. Twenty-two canal holidays are planned countrywide from the Bude, Cornwall to the Dearne and Dove, Yorkshire. A range of restoration work is covered, but no experience is needed - only willingness to work and a desire for social fun. WRG offers a hard day’s work followed by a hard evening’s play, usually involving the local pub. Contact WRG at PO Box 114, Rickmansworth, WD3 1ZY or visit www.wrg.org.uk for further information.
12)The Boat Museum has a new Operations Manager. She is Tracey McNaboe, who will also be responsible for operations at the National Waterways Museum, Gloucester and the Canal Museum, Stoke Bruerne
13)Burgeoning restoration work in the North West has led BW to re-organise its offices in the area. A “South Pennine Ring” office in Manchester, with Tom Rowe as manager, will cover projects on the Huddersfield Narrow, Rochdale, Ashton, and the Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canals. BW are seeking a manager for a new office responsible for work on the Lancaster Canal Northern Reaches and Ribble Link. The full length of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal is now to be managed by Terry Horan from Burnley. 14)An epic journey is being made by horse drawn boat from Manchester to London. Setting out in May, the boat will arrive in time for the opening of IWA’s National Waterways Festival at Waltham Abbey. Built in 1854, the “Maria” is one of the oldest boats on the Inland Waterways. IWA member, Sue Day is looking for assistance with sponsorship, publicity and crewing. She can be contacted on 01457 834863.
15)Consequent to the Gargrave tragedy, where a boat sank with fatal consequences, due to water ingress, BW is investigating a baffle arrangement for lock gate paddles to deflect water as it issues from the paddle holes so that it cannot enter boats in the lock. Baffles will have another advantage in shortening the time taken to fill a lock
16)The Manchester Ship Canal Company is proving intransigent about their stance that narrow boats must breast up if they are to be allowed on the Canal. In discussions with IWA North West Chairman, John Fletcher, they dug their heels in; stating that narrow boats had insufficient buoyancy reserve on their own. However, they do not object to convoys of small craft on the Canal.
17)British Waterways are expected to start work soon on the final stages of the Rochdale Canal restoration, following agreement on funding arrangements. IWA representatives attended a gathering at Rochdale Town Hall in March to celebrate progress.
18)Audrey Smith breaks surface again on the Waterway Scene. She made the trip to the Palace for her OBE in March and is now appointed a Vice President of IWA.
19)IWA coffers have been replenished by two recent bequests: Tim Wilkinson leaves a legacy of about £100,000; while Neil Pitts left £0.5m. They now seek two appropriate Waterway Restoration or Reconstruction Projects as Memorials to these benefactors. Tim was an author, “Hold on a Minute” ranking amongst his works. He captained a pair of narrow boats together with his wife for the Grand Union Canal Carrying Company in the period immediately following the second world war before nationalisation. A persistent war wound forced his resignation from the boating life to the less physically demanding task as a landlord in Cornwall. During his waterway days he worked on the Grand Union and Oxford Canals. His wishes are to finance a reconstruction project on a Southern waterway of IWA’s choice. The other benefactor, Neil Pitts was an IWA member from the West Midlands area. IWA has in mind a grant of £100,000 for each Memorial Project and are to specify conditions for grant applicants shortly. A dead-line around the end of June is anticipated for the submission of grant applications.
20)Gordon loosens the purse strings! The Chancellor of the Exchequer has decided to ease tax restrictions on donations to charities. From April 1st., subscriptions and donations, however small, gain tax relief under a new “Gift Aid Scheme”. Donors can use state of the art technology to join the new Gift Aid Scheme via the phone or internet. SCARS coffers are set to benefit.
21)IWA has sprung a surprise on the North-West canal scene by including Runcorn in their list of future venues for the National Waterways Festival. 2005 is pencilled in for the first Runcorn Festival. Further details will be eagerly anticipated.
22)A move to have Britain’s Inland Waterways granted “World Heritage Status” has received further impetus. The Government is backing an Inland Waterways Advisory Council (IWAAC) working group which has been set up to foster a recommendation.
23)The Lancaster Canal may now be completely restored to its full extent all the way to Kendal at an estimated cost of £25m. The Restoration Group “The Lancaster Canal Northern Reaches” has received a feasibility report from British Waterways. The 15 1/2 mile section needs to tunnel its way three times under the M6. The report forecasts 2000 new jobs and £14m. spending by an additional 1million annual tourists. The cost of the feasibility study was borne by the Department of the Environment;