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| Volume 7, Number 2 - Summer 2009 | |
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Dire Deeds at Newton Common (Almost)Related to the previous item, hopefully a happier outcome to a proposal on the edge of St Helens... Late last year the Hon Sec was telephoned by a gentleman representing an engineering company which planned some work near the canal at Newton Common. An invitation was issued to attend a site visit so that SCARS could assist with historical and other information which might make the job easier.
Harry Arnold's photo of the sunken flats on the Sankey below Newton Common Lock, taken in 1961 Below: Shaw's view of the section, from the opposite direction, in 1830  On the due date various personnel turned up to learn more details. The site in question was that section of canal south of the lock, towards where the old canal boats were moored, sunk then buried. The engineering in question was the installation of a new sewer pipe coming down the hill alongside Emmet's Brow, leading into a substantial treatment chamber. Only when plans were produced did the alarm bells start to ring. This chamber had been drawn in such a position as to totally block the canal channel. Objections were raised immediately and it was pointed out that (a) SCARS had been working towards restoring the canal since 1985 and (b) all three local authorities had protected the course of the canal, prohibiting any constructions which would in any way interfere with its future restoration. Much concern was displayed and lengthy discussions ensued. Various suggestions were made to get round the problem. Could the new chamber be moved downhill, beyond the canal? This was apparently not viable since there would still be a pipe run through the course of the canal and the chamber had to be concealed by a minimum covering of earth which would not be possible because of the slope of the land. Could the chamber be turned by 90 degrees so as to leave at least part of the canal channel open? Again this was unacceptable because the lay-out of the machinery to be installed inside had to follow the falling gradient. With much pacing out and chin scratching it was concluded that the only solution was to move the chamber uphill where, fortunately, there was some spare land available. When canals are being modified in any way, British Waterways stipulates a minimum width of 10 metres (roughly 30 feet) so this was the width requested by the Hon Sec. More pacing about followed to discover if this was possible and so it proved to be. The engineering designer involved agreed to put this proposal to his line manager along with SCARS' information regarding restoration and so the meeting dispersed. Recent telephone contact has confirmed that the proposed changes were accepted. It was indeed fortuitous that a SCARS representative was present at the site meeting which allowed him to put the case for altering the project although probably the designer didn't see it that way since it involved him in more work redrawing the plans etc. Despite an agreement with the local authority that SCARS would be informed of any works which lie along the canal corridor it had not been aware of these proposals. This was apparently because the project is to be carried out by United Utilities rather than the council and this organisation has no similar agreement in force. Without the appeal for SCARS input the project could have gone ahead without us knowing about it. Clearly vigilance is vital and all Society members are asked to keep an eye out for any activities along the canal which they feel are in any way threatening or unacceptable. Only by early intervention can solutions be found. This time the result was a positive one but the next might not be. Peter Keen
Over the years SCARS has invested heavily through its Work Parties on the site of the lock and cottage at Newton Common, as part of its goal of seeing boats once more sailing beneath the Sankey Viaduct. United Utilities' original proposals would have seen the end of such ambitions.
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