Wey & Arun Canal Restoration by Hanna Williamson

Wey and Arun Canal Restoration Project a proposal for a

LINEAR PRODUCTIVE LANDSCAPE

Hanna Williamson Kingston University May 2009

Contents

Introduction

Brief Background What does a canal represent? Contrast Aims & Ambitions Concept = Linear Productive Landscape

1 1 2 2 4 4

Site Analysis

Movement Landuse Biodiversity Existing Contours Typical Section Landform

5 5 6 6 7 8

Plan Proposed Contours SRWC Field - Plan SRWC Field - Section SRWC Field - Details Sections Aqueduct - Plan Aqueduct Section Aqueduct Details Natural Edge Section Natural Edge Details Experience Along the Canal Bridge

15 16 17 18 18 19 20 22 23 24 25 25

Proposal

Additional Details

Linear Productive Landscape Energy Crop

Design Inspiration

Shenyang University Historical Heritage

10 10

Conceptual diagrams

Views and Lines Edges

12 12

Design Considerations SRWC Filter Strategy Elements Lines in the Landscape

13 13 14 14

Landscape Strategy

Timeline 2 Stages

26 27

Summary Landscape Character Map Considerations

28 29 30

Introduction Background

The Brief

London

London In the 19th century the Wey and Arun Canal was created to the link the two rivers - the Wey in the north with River Arun in the south leading to the sea. This was to provide a route from London to the south coast by boat. The canal was opened in 1816 and was much used until it couldn’t complete with the spread of the railway and finally closed in 1871.

Wey Navigation

Guildford Shalford

Guildford Shalford Godalming

Bramley

Cranleigh

Cranleigh Waters

Dunsfold

The canal is 23 miles long and 20 of these miles are uninterrupted farmland. The Trust has permission from half of the landowners that restoration work can take place along the stretch.

Milford

Proposed Canal Stretch

The Wey and Arun Canal Trust was formed Milford in 1970 with the goal to: ‘achieve the restoration, as a public amenity, of the navigable link between the Rivers Wey and Arun, and so recreate the direct water link between London and the South Coast.’ (http://www.weyandarun.co.uk/trust.php)

Godalming

Bramley

Guildford The brief given to us from the trust was to come up with proposals to help the trust get funding for the next stage of the restoration work and proposals that will show the rest of the landowners the possibilities that the restoration of the canal can Milford bring. 1 km The canal landscape is a leisure landscape and one that is rich in biodiversity.

Loxwood

Wisborough Green

Site

Billinghurst

Shalford

Cranleigh

Godalming Dunsfold

Site

Cranleigh Waters Bramley

4 km

Loxwood

Cranleigh

We were introduced to a site in Bramley, which is at the north end of the canal.

Pulborough

River Arun

The site would be an important starting point to get the rest of the restoration work started. It could act as a catalyst for the rest of the restoration work.

Cranl

Dunsfold 1 km

4 km

Loxwood 1 km

4 km

Littlehampton

The map shows the location of the site. The canal is marked out in orange and the light blue stretch at the south is the main part of the restoration so far.

What does a Canal represent? - Past & Present

How do you balance and create a landscape that combines these two factors today?

Nature

Industrial Heritage

Introduction

Aims & Ambitions

Concept = Linear Productive Landscape

• To create a living link between old and new (from Wey Navigation)

• This will be achieved by combining the natural and the industrial heritage of the canal

Bea

• Using natural processes whilst being productive and playful

Pla

uti

• Linking the site with its surroundings on a large and small scale

ful

Challenges

yfu

To come up with a proposal that justifies rebuilding a man made structure in an area which has a plenty of natural rivers, even though not all navigable.

To come up with a solution that will work and benefit nature and people as well as fitting the bigger picture.

Bea

uti

ful

MA N

AG E

Pla Na yfu tur l MO a l VE ME NT

The proposal aims to: • combine a productive landscape with the canal • at the same time use make use of the canal • and make use of the produce as a natural process All this while showing that a productive landscape can be a beautiful and usable space

37% of Surrey’s land is farmland. This diagram illustrates that the canal goes through 20 miles of uninterrupted farmland.

Site Analysis Movement

Land Use

Business

Residential

Residential Residential Farm

Residential

Residential 10 m

Rights of Way

N Flooding

Run Off

There is a right of way through the site - which links up the Wey south path - to the nearby residential area in the south. The path following the old railway line is the most used. The river floods regularly from the south. The flooding pattern is shown in blue on the diagram. The water is released back into the river through existing flood alleviation. There is also runoff from the street in the north entering the site and entering the river in the west point.

10 m

Management

N Investments

Surrounding land use identifies potential participants in the scheme. There are also further participants in the in the nearby schools.

Recipients

Biodiversity

Existing Contours

34.

32.

35.5

35 .5 34

34 34

34 35

10 m

Existing tree coverage

50 m

Biodiversity

The trees enclose the space and is the area of highest existing biodiversity.

There are two distinct ridges on each side of the space today.

These areas should be preserved as much as possible in the final proposal.

There is also a 1m level distance just northwest of the aqueduct. To accommodate this difference you either need a lock or you can level off the middle of the site and let the contours follow the canal.

Site Analysis Typical Section

Mixed deciduous woodland

Mixed deciduous woodland Marginal woodland undergrowth

Invasive species

Woodlands edge habitat

Cranleigh Waters Existing fencing

34.8

36.0

34.8

34.2

10 m

32.2

Landform

a A B

b c C E d D e

Proposal Linear Productive Landscape - Energy Crop

The most suitable crop to grow along a marginal area along a canal is short rotation willow coppice. Facts 30 years lifespan - harvest every 3 years Carbon neutral as long as it is used locally Main use producing heating in a CHP 1 ha produces 7 - 10 oven dry tones / year Equivalent to 19 MJ / kg = energy production for 12 family households Can withstand seasonal flooding Can reduce nitrate levels in rivers receiving drainage from agricultural land Potential to grow in marginal areas where other crop might not grow To achieve economic stainability should find dual function Wastewater can be applied instead of fertiliser Ecological studies of the large areas of SRWC clearly demonstrates that willow plantations never displace species from an area and that the overall biodiversity, including ground vegetation, birds, butterflies and invertebrates, is improved. (1) 1. http://www.walesbiomass.org/env-willow.htm

Design Inspiration - Shenyang University

Historical Heritage

Route of original canal

Some rice plants are left after harvest to bring interest to the landscape during the winter.

Tannery

Aerial of the campus landscape. Avenues of Path through the plants to a seating area. native trees help to shade the open landscape.

Landscape Architects: Date of design: Date of completion: Awards:

Turenscape Jan 2003 to Sep 2003 Sep 2004 ASLA Design Honor Award, The American Society of Landscape Architecture 2005

Tannery

Lock Aqueduct over River

Tannery

Landscape Architects in China must face the issue of food production and sustainable land use in their designs. At a population of more than 1.3 billion people, but with only 18% arable land - China is quickly using up of one of their most valuable and limited resources. The design at Shenyang University addresses this issue while showing that productive agricultural land can become valuable space. There is a fully functional rice paddy on campus, but other native crops as buckwheat are also grown. The productive part of the design start a dialogue amongst students and staff about sustainable land use and food production.

N Original route of canal

Tanneries location surrounding the space

The map shows the route of the original canal. The lock was needed to reach the level of the aqueduct over the river. There were also three Tanneries in close proximity of Tanyard Basin. The shapes of the tanneries and the route of the original canal will help to inform the design of the space.

Students and teachers participate in the management of the crops. The rice has become a symbol of the University - Golden Rice. 10

Proposal

Conceptual Diagrams - Views and Lines

Edges

Ne l fo

Natural Edge

llo ws

Productive Edge

ute

l ro

ina

org

tli

Si ws

llo

fo or

na l

50 m

Highlight original route of canal

N Marking it out by wildflowers and Willow

50 m

Natural Edge

N Productive Edge

The reinstated canal will follow the original canal route half way.

Introducing a natural and productive canal edge.

After that the original route will still be marked out by a continued line of planting.

This will play on and highlight the existing contrasting element and feeling of a canal.

The purpose is to clearly highlight the original canal where the new canal curves off.

Proposal Design Considerations - Filter Strategy

Design Considerations - SRWC

Runoff Runoff

Runoff

Return

2 x twin rows

1 x twin rows

Runoff Ab

Return

Runoff

Flood Ab Re sorb du ce +

Return

Runoff 0.75 m

Agricultural Runoff

Absorb

Reduce

Clean

This is ability of SRWC gives the crop a dual function and it therefore becomes more sustainable.

5.0 m

Return

The mineral nutrients in the runoff water from nearby agricultural land and Tannery Lane will be absorbed by the Willow roots and the nitrate level in the water will be reduced before entering the canal and river. This diagram is showing how this could work across the site.

1.5 m

Short Rotation Willow Coppice - SRWC can grow up to 8 m in their final year before cutting. Therefore a at least 5 m should be left in between main planting blocks. To get a decent crop of SRWC it is recommended to grow the willow in twin rows with 0.75 m between trees and 1.5 m between rows. To get a feeling of the density of a SRWC field this recommendation will be followed. The planting blocks will be made up of 2 x twin rows and 1 x twin row.

Elements

Lines in the landscape

SRWC Field

Aqueduct

Short Rotation Willow Coppice

Glades

Route marked out by longer rotation willow

Circulation

Coppice Woodland

Herbaceous Perennial Ground cover

Existing Path

Tow Path

Cranleigh Waters

Canal

Productive Edge

Natural Edge

The field of SRWC is in blocks, the shapes imitating the rectangular shapes of a tannery.

There are also distinct lines in the landscape.

There are glades left in the field. To increase the diversity of the landscape and to provide a space for willow workshops.

These are the existing path and new tow path. The canal edges also provides a linear element.

The existing woodland will be managed as a coppice woodland for increased biodiversity.

The SRWC field creates more routes and views in this space.

Woody wildflowers will be planted as ground cover to complement the willow. 14

Proposal Plan

The SRWC field is located in the space that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have any trees. This location allows for the field to partly block the canal as it curves around the corner. Across the space where the aqueduct used to be Willow coppice is planted in longer rotations and Willow tunnels have been created to frame the view of route of the original canal. The existing trees have all been kept and will be managed as coppice woodland in the future. This will benefit biodiversity by providing a more varied habitat.

Existing Grass and Groundcover

Steps

Natural Path

Perennial Woodland Wildflowers

Short Rotation Willow Coppice

Natural Edge

Bridge

Canal

50m

Natural Seating

Proposal Plan - Contours

To accommodate the canal - the site will be levelled and lowered around the canal. The canal water level will be 34m. This will stop the need to a lock here and is a more affordable option.

This is an option you can consider elsewhere along the canal stretch as well.

5 34. 5 33. 5

32.

34.5 34

50 m

Proposal SRWC Field - Plan

10 m

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

3 year cycle

7 year cycle

10 m

Blocks of SRWC

Glades

The main SRWC field is planted rectangularly. There are 2 glades in the space - providing space for workshops or rest. The longer growing willow will help to navigate the eye through the fields.

Space for Workshops

SRWC Field - Productive Edge Section

Willow Hurdle Detail

Elevation

1. Wickerwork 2. Wooden Pile 1200 mm 3. Wooden Spikes round finish: 300 - 800 mm

1 2 3 300-400 mm

4. Filled Ground The hurdles secure to the filled ground. This method can be used up to a gradient of 70%.

34.2

1000 mm

Section

4 3

Productive canal edge next to the SRWC field. The willow block is shown 2 years after planting.

Woodland wildflowers provide a diverse habitat for wildlife amongst the SRWC.

1000 mm

The same mix as in the aqueduct space is used.

50 m

Proposal Aqueduct - Plan

Year 1 Year 3 Year 7 Willow Tunnels 7 year cycle

10 m

Willow Tunnels

Willow Coppice

Wildflowers

Here the main habitat is a woody wildflower meadow. Willow tunnels curve around and frame view of the route of the original canal. There are also lines of longer rotation willow coppice. These will provide a varied structure and shelter for wildlife. They are cut every 7 years on a 3 year cycle.

Aqueduct - Section

35 m

36 m

34 m

a Section looking south along the original route of the canal.

The tunnels and the Willow help to create coherence and guide the eye through the wildflowers.

50 m

Proposal

Aqueduct - Details

To increase the biodiversity of this area woodland wildflower will be sown at the same time as the establishment of the willow tunnels and long rotation willow coppice. The mix is depending on a certain shade coverage.

Woodland Wildlfowers Species Alliaria petiolata Allium ursinum Campanula trachelium Digitalis purpurea Filipendula ulmaria Galium mollugo Geum urbanum Hyacinthoides non-scripta Hypericum perforatum Lychnis flos-cuculi Primula vulgaris Prunella vulgaris Silene dioica Stachys officinalis Stachys sylvatica Teucrium scorodonia

Garlic Mustard Ramsons Nettle-leaved Bellflower Foxglove Meadowsweet Hedge Bedstraw Wood Avens Bluebell Perforate St John's Wort Ragged Robin Primrose Selfheal Red Campion Betony Hedge Woundwort Wood Sage

Notes Sowing Rates- 6 kg / ha

Proposal Natural Edge - Section

The shallow natural edge supports wide biodiversity of plants and animals.

35.5 m

50 m

34 m

Natural Edge - Details

A good tree cover exists along this edge - a seed mix of marginal wildflowers and grasses will complement this habitat perfectly.

Wildflowers and grass for marginal edges Species Achillea ptarmica Angelica sylvestris Eupatorium cannabinum Filipendula ulmaria Geum rivale Hypericum tetrapterum Iris pseudacorus Lotus pedunculatus Lychnis flos-cuculi Lycopus europaeus Lythrum salicaria Pulicaria dysenterica Scrophularia auriculata Succisa pratensis Thalictrum flavum Vicia cracca

Sneezewort Wild Angelica Hemp Agrimony Meadowsweet Water Avens Square-stalked St John's Wort Yellow Iris Greater Birdsfoot Trefoil Ragged Robin Gypsywort Purple Loosestrife Common Fleabane Water Figwort Devil's-bit Scabious Common Meadow-rue Tufted Vetch

Species Agrostis capillaris Alopecurus pratensis Anthoxanthum odoratum Briza media Cynosurus cristatus Deschampsia cespitosa Festuca rubra ssp. juncea

Common Bent Meadow Foxtail Sweet Vernal-grass Quaking Grass Crested Dogstail Tufted Hair-grass Slender-creeping Red-fescue

Please note: Sowing rates - 42kg / ha 20% grasses and 80% wildflowers

Proposal Experience - Along the canal

Experience - Bridge

The relationship between the bridge and the canal increases the access and movement in this area. The proposed steps on the east side of the bridge provides a new route to the space. The willow plantings here leads the visitor down into the space and away from Cranleigh Waters. This helps to protect the river.

View as you walk around the corner of the SRWC field. The blocks of SRWC will be in different stages as you walk around corner.

Access and movement as it exists at present.

Details - Timeline of SRWC and the canal

In the first year Plant a variety of the willow can Salix species to A step planter reach a height reduce a risk of can be used of 2 -3 m and diseases. Plant on large sites 1-3 shoots will as rods in Spring. during planting. emerge.

5 - 20 shoots will appear after the first cut.

Perennial shade tolerant ground flora is beneficial as it increases the number of invertebrates which leads to an increase in mammals and birds.

1st year

A polythene mat will help to reduce competition from unwanted weeds during establishment.

The areas of longer rotation coppice can be turned into living fences and tunnels.

3rd year

Cut willow to 10 cm height above ground level in the second year. This should be done by late February.

Closed canopy coverage happens after 3 months. Which acts as natural weed control by reducing the light at ground level.

Some migrant warbler species that are becoming less common elsewhere are often seen in the strands of SRWC.

The canal can be used for transporting the woodchips and materials for the fields. The canal becomes part of this sustainable network.

10 - 20 years

The main use for woodchips from SRWC fields are for heating in biomass boilers. The coppice is harvested in winter.

Details - 2 Stages

2nd stage: The canal and the SRWC field will be carried out during the same period.

Proposed for present time

1st stage: Wildflower plantings follow the original route of the canal. The first lines of Willow are also planted, with the intention on a longer rotation cycle.

10 years +

Larger Strategy Summary

Tanyard Basin will act as a start site for a larger proposal in growing SRWC along the reinstated Wey and Arun Canal.

To ensure the low environmental footprint of the this proposal the produce from the SRWC should be used locally. The canal can help with the transport of the woodchips locally and equipment can also be shared and transported this way. A network of smaller sites will help to reduce the saturation of the landscape through monotonous planting. There are also grants available for supplying local schools and community centres.

Local Schools

Tanyard Tannery Basin Basin worksho

Local Schools

Farmers ops

The space is there to be experienced and also to show that a functional space can be beautiful and exciting.

Farmers

h rks wo

The space will show ideas in how to layout the fields, blocks and lines of SRWC. It will also highlight other possibilities such as Willow design workshops and the use of Willow as river reinforcement.

Local Schools

Farmers

In the future there is a possibility that Willow coppice can be turned into bio fuels. Which could then complete the circle in running the canal boats on this fuel.

Larger Strategy Landscape Character Map 40

The map shows the larger landscape character of the Bramley area.

Identified in green are spaces that might be available for growing SRWC. (Which means spaces that are not woods, common or recreational grounds - they can be privately owned though).

40 35

This might help to identify the best route for the new canal to take. When considering this you should also take into account the contour lines. To plan for a possible filtering strategy in dual function with growing Willow as an energy crop.

Potential sites for SRWC Schools AGLV - Areas of Great Landscape Value

ANOB - Areas of National Outstanding Beauty SSSI - Sites of Special Scientific Interest Conservation Area Open field (not common, park or sports) Woodland Grant Scheme Farms Routes identified in Bramley Link document by the Wey and Arun Canal Trust Option 1 - River Corridor Option 2 - River Corridor Option 3 - Railway Corridor Option 4 River Corridor alternative 100 m

500 m

Considerations

The energy crops scheme offers grants to farmers in England for the establishment of SRWC. It is part of the rural development programme for England. A site needs to be more than 3 ha to qualify for a grant from DEFRA. But this does not have to be in one single plot. The image on the left is showing how to space the Willow to get the most produce out of the field. The impact on the local landscape, ecology, archeology and public access must all be considered. The Forestry Commission provides guide lines on this. SRWC can use more water than traditional arable crops. There are also possibilities of growing SRWC as a bio filter that can be fed with farm slurry and wastewater.

0.54 m 0.75 m

1.5 m

Research confirms that conversion of agricultural land to SRWC plantations is widely recognised as a benefit to the environment. Which becomes especially evident when using the SRWC as some sort of dual function.

References

Energy crops grants http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/planning/grants-funding/energy-crops/default.htm Opportunities and optimum sitings for energy crops http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/crops/industrial/energy/opportunities/index.htm Biomass http://www.biomassenergycentre.org.uk/portal/page?_pageid=76,15049&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL General about growing SRWC http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/planning/grants-funding/energy-crops/default.htm http://www.walesbiomass.org/env-willow.htm http://www.nnfcc.co.uk/metadot/index.pl?id=2166;isa=Category;op=show http://www.feasta.org/documents/wells/contents.html?six/doran.html http://www.crops4energy.co.uk/services_green_solutions_detail.htm http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/biosi/contactsandpeople/stafflist/q-t/randerson-peter-dr.html http://www.walesbiomass.org/bioeng-biofiltration.htm http://www.forestry.gov.uk/src http://www.tvbioenergy-coppice.co.uk/src.htm Documents Short Rotation Coppice in the landscape – Forestry Commission Establishment and Management of Short Rotation Coppice – Forestry Commission Growing Short Rotation Coppice – Defra http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/planning/grants-funding/energy-crops/default.htm Willow coppice as biofilter http://216.239.59.104/search?q=cache:h1fYUy-0ZOUJ:www.fao.org/forestry/webview/ media%3FmediaId%3D13725%26langId%3D1+SRWC+plantations&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd =6&gl=uk&client=firefox http://www.waterrenew.co.uk/ http://bioenergy.ornl.gov/papers/bioen98/perry.htm Wales current grant for willow research http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/361036.stm