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Issue 21 www.waterways.org.uk/lichfield
Autumn 2017
Lichfield Lines
Happy Customers on our Community Boat Trips (see page 10)
The newsletter of
IWA Lichfield Branch The IWA may not agree with opinions expressed in this magazine but encourages publication as a matter of interest. Nothing printed may be construed as policy, or as an official pronouncement, unless specifically identified as such. The Inland Waterways Association is a non-profit distributing company limited by guarantee. Registered in England no. 612245. Registered as a charity no. 212342 Registered Office: Island House, Moor Road, Chesham HP5 1WA Tel: 01494 783453 Web: www.waterways.org.uk
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Branch Chairman’s Report October 2017 After an early summer break our Branch activities resumed in August with an enjoyable ‘Lock Wind’ at Barton Turn and an interesting visit to the Lichfield Canal’s Summerhill restoration site. September began with a walk from Hartshill, and a day of Community Boat Trips in Rugeley. Reports on all of those events are included in these pages, and have been featured at the time on the Activities page of our website, where some additional photos can be seen. Also in September our public meetings restarted with a fascinating talk on the Sandfields Pumping Station, and we enjoyed two days of sunshine at the Huddlesford Heritage Gathering with our Branch stand. I am told that some of the above activities have also been publicised on our new Branch Facebook page, which the more socially connected among you may have seen ! Activities coming up include more interesting speakers at our monthly meetings, a work party and walk in November, the Branch Christmas Lunch in December, and our traditional New Year’s Day Walk. So as you can see, our Search Branch continues to thrive, with your support and help. “IWA Lichfield” Although as I have explained before we could do more, and on Facebook spread the organisational load better, if we had a few more volunteers to join our committee. Please do give it some consideration, especially if you are one of our younger members. Helen and I attended the CRT West Midlands Waterway Forum meeting in October where had we some interesting presentations from Ian Lane and his staff, including a summary of recent and planned maintenance works. The saga of the twice sawn-off top balance beam of Walsall Lock 5 was disturbing, not least because of the slow response from the police even when the culprits were identified. A more frequent problem that CRT faces is bridge strikes, and Otherton Lane Bridge on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal is one that has been damaged before. This time not only have copings been demolished on one side but the whole parapet has been shunted bodily sideways a couple of inches. Although it looks unsafe we were assured that it was not about to fall on passing boats, but it will obviously be expensive to rebuild. CRT are considering installing CCTV to identify future culprits, but I suggested working with the Highways Authority to install better traffic calming to avoid strikes in the first place from speeding and wide vehicles which could be a more effective response. The most surprising news from the Forum meeting was that Chasewater Reservoir had been out of action for about 6 months. Apparently on a regular inspection by the Reservoir Engineer the valve which controls the water feed into the Anglesey Branch was declared unsafe to use, cutting off the main water supply to the BCN. For
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historical reasons, the reservoir is owned by Staffordshire County Council and managed as part of the Country Park, although CRT have rights to the water. But there is now a legal dispute over who is responsible for funding repairs to the drawoff valve. Meanwhile, CRT have virtually emptied Rotten Park reservoir, which was already low after a dry winter, as well as increasing pumping from the Valve House at Chasewater Bradley borehole and using back pumping at Titford, in order to keep the system going. In the circumstances, they have done a remarkable job to avoid any closures, especially in a year when several other waterways around the country have had temporary restrictions. Most users have been quite unaware there was a problem, although Longwood Boat Club moorers had noticed that the Wolverhampton level was 4 inches down. Further drastic measures such as temporary back pumping into Rotten Park and even a temporary siphon over the Chasewater dam are being considered. We can only hope for a wet winter locally and that common sense prevails with the necessary work to the valve being authorised first and the dispute about funding it being resolved later. Phil Sharpe From the Region Chairman “IWA is staid, complacent and irrelevant”. These are criticisms which have been levelled at IWA over the years. Those of you who attended the IWA national AGM at Langley Mill at the end of September will know that this is far from the truth. There we heard two excellent presentations which blew away these opinions by introducing the “New Vision for IWA” - the result of the trustees wish to ensure that IWA is as relevant to the future of our waterways as it has been to the “glorious” past. In a nutshell, our vision is for “a thriving, growing network of sustainable inland waterways for everyone”. You can read more about this in the November issue of our national magazine Waterways. We are unique in the waterways world. We have and are achieving great things. No other single organisation has achieved so much but we habitually “hide our light under a bushel”. We do not shout about our current achievements. Just like our current logo, we merge into the background and allow others to claim the glory.
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“It is our spirit, determination and vision which will protect and restore our waterways for future generations to discover and enjoy”.
Old IWA Logo WE are the champions of ALL Britain's canals and navigable rivers. In order to achieve this, IWA needs to be strong and demonstrably unified and our new logo will help to propel us forward to continue the fight for the future of our wonderful inland waterways Our old logo was revised about 10 years ago to remove the sword (Excalibur) which was considered to be not PC. Unfortunately, the ripple effect on the IWA had the effect of New IWA Logo camouflaging the IWA and so this logo does not lend itself for use on on-line media or on anything other than a plain background. It also does not represent the whole of IWA which includes the Waterway Recovery Group and Essex Waterways to show us all as one strong family. I have to tell you that when I was first shown the embryonic new logo some 10 months ago, I was distinctly unimpressed. However, having lived with its development, I have come to really like it and all it stands for. I hope that you too will learn to appreciate it as I do. Helen Whitehouse 17/10/2017 Forthcoming Events Offside Vegetation Clearance – During the winter. We have been invited by CRT to join in their project of offside vegetation clearance during the winter months. This will take place from Great Haywood down to Rugeley (and beyond if possible). CRT are providing a workboat with welfare facilities, all training, health and safety requirements, PPE and their insurance will cover the work. For anyone travelling a distance to training, then travel expenses can be claimed. Each work party will have a: Helmsman (woman), Wood Chipper, Pole Pruner and one other (one of the workers will be a CRT employee).
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This is a new venture for CRT, their ‘normal’ volunteers and us. It is a project which is well worth doing but we probably all need to be a bit flexible until we get used to it. CRT volunteers will probably cover 2 days a week (pencilled in as Monday and Wednesday). Our plan at the moment is that IWA will do some Fridays - the frequency will depend on availability of our volunteers and the weather. As time goes on it may well be that we fill in on other days (or CRT volunteers or staff fill in on our Fridays). There is no commitment on anyone’s part to do work on a weekly basis, but it is only fair to CRT to make a commitment of at least 3 days over the winter months as they are paying for training etc. Initially we need to organise training: Wood Chipper Training - this is a one day course (probably at Fradley Junction) and a mix of classroom and practical work. Pole Pruning Training- this is essentially a chainsaw up a pole and therefore needs one day training plus one day assessment. Please note that this job is NOT SUITABLE FOR ANYONE WITH A BAD BACK. Helmsman/Woman - anyone with a helmsman certificate should be able to steer the boat. However, if you have experience of boat handling but no certificate CRT are prepared to do ‘on job’ assessment of your boat handling and if that is ok you will be signed off to steer. At the moment there is no plan to offer boat handling training. PLEASE REPLY TO MARGARET BEARDSMORE URGENTLY ON 07581 794111 OR margaret.beardsmore@waterways.org.uk IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN THIS - WE NEED TO ORGANISE TRAINING ASAP. Friday 3rd November – Work Party at Brindley Bank, Rugeley 9.30 for a 10 am start. We will be grass cutting, scrub clearing, cutting back vegetation and litter picking, with additional litter picking in the town. CRT will provide equipment and IWA will provide drinks and refreshments. Meet at the bottom of the steps by the aqueduct, accessed along the footpath between Albany Drive and the pumping station, off Wolseley Road, Rugeley, WS15 2QY. No experience needed but please wear stout shoes and old clothes. For further information contact our Volunteer Coordinator Margaret Beardsmore at margaret.beardsmore@waterways.org.uk or ring 07581 794111. Wednesday 15th November 2017 – “The Caledonian Canal” An illustrated talk by Phil Clayton on the story of Scotland’s premier waterway. 7.15 for 7.30 pm at Martin Heath Hall, Christchurch Lane (off Walsall Road), Lichfield, WS13 8AY.
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Sunday 10th December 2017 – Branch Christmas Lunch at the Bull & Spectacles, Uttoxeter Road, Blithbury, WS15 3HY. Blithbury is about 3 miles north of Handsacre or 3 miles northeast of Rugeley. At 12.30 for 1.00 pm. £19 for 3 courses, £15 for 2 courses, with a choice of 4 starters, 5 main courses and 4 desserts, with coffee and mince pie afterwards. See Page 12 for choices. Bookings to Pat Barton or Pete Gurney at Branch events, or email pat.barton@waterways.org.uk or phone 07947 337491 - by 1st December, please. 2018 Monday 1st January 2018 - New Year’s Day Walk: Hopwas and the Coventry Canal. This is an easy 4 mile walk on level ground, with 3 stiles. Leaving the pub car park we walk through the pretty village of Hopwas before joining the Coventry Canal at Ball's Bridge. We walk eastwards along the towpath and leave the canal at Dunstall Road Bridge, where we cross over to Dunstall Lane in the direction of Tamworth. We then return on a clear footpath alongside the river Tame. We leave the river shortly before Hopwas, where we divert back onto Dunstall Lane and return to our starting point. (If the river is in flood we will return to Hopwas along the Coventry Canal and Dunstall Lane). Meet at 10:30 for a 10:45 am start in the car park of The Red Lion, Lichfield Road, Hopwas, Staffs. B78 3AF. Contact Clive Walker on 07866 201873 or clive.walker@waterways.org.uk Wednesday 17th January 2018 – “Cannock Extension Canal”. An illustrated talk by Councillor Derek Davis on this 'railway age' canal which formerly extended to Hednesford, and its surrounding waterways. 7.15 for 7.30 pm at Martin Heath Hall, Christchurch Lane (off Walsall Road), Lichfield, WS13 8AY Wednesday 21st February 2018 - "The Hidden Canal of Dr. Darwin”. An illustrated talk by John Parry on revelations about our local Trent & Mersey Canal and its hidden history. 7.15 for 7.30 pm at Martin Heath Hall, Christchurch Lane (off Walsall Road), Lichfield, WS13 8AY Recent Activities Lock Wind at Barton Lock Sunday 6th August 2017 IWA Lichfield Branch members spent a warm and sunny day at Barton Turn on the Trent & Mersey Canal helping passing boaters through the lock. The aim of the “Lock Wind” was to publicise the voluntary work of IWA, and in particular our local Branch, and to raise some funds to support our
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activities. With CRT’s agreement we had assembled a team of experienced lock workers who were kept very busy all morning by a steady stream of boats and, after a lunchtime lull, at a gentler pace in the afternoon. Without exception, the boaters were grateful for the help with working the lock, and we were pleased to have chosen one where the paddles and gates were so well balanced and easy to operate.
We had set up a stall alongside the lock with information on IWA, various items for sale, and a display of cakes, home-made by our Branch volunteers. With such a tempting array of cakes on offer it did not take much persuasion and by mid-afternoon all had been sold, boosting the funds of the branch towards supporting waterway projects. Overall the cakes, other sales and donations raised over £130. For all the lock workers, cake makers and helpers a barbeque was then put on using the local pub’s facilities alongside the canal, and with thanks to Derek for supplying the meat, Helen for the salads and Pat for the puds we were all filled to the brim and went home happy after a very successful day. (Report by Pat Barton and Phil Sharpe, photos by Margaret Beardsmore) Summerhill Evening Walk - Wednesday 16th August 2017 The weather this summer has been very variable, so it was no surprise when rain was predicted to arrive just about the time we were due to start this evening walk. It had
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been a sunny day earlier so we hoped for some delay, but the forecast was spot on for once and the rain duly arrived right on cue. Undeterred however, our two dozen walkers donned waterproofs and unfurled umbrellas ready to see the progress being made on restoring the Lichfield Canal at Summerhill, near Muckley Corner. Our guide, Peter Buck, the Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust engineer described the background to their acquisition of this section of canal, with the grant funding obtained which has enabled their volunteers to clear 50 years of undergrowth and start its restoration. Moving down into the canal cutting behind The Boat Inn, Peter explained that the lowered level of the A461 means that a new lock will be needed here, with some preliminary excavation and retaining walls already begun. Fortunately, after about a quarter of an hour the rain had eased off and the sky brightened, so the rest of our walk was more akin to the pleasant evening stroll we had hoped for. Beyond The Boat the towpath has been levelled and surfaced, with much assistance from a wide range of corporate sponsorship groups, and now stretches about 1 km to the M6 Toll aqueduct, with a couple of short gaps where the sand wharf wall is being restored and a picnic area created. Noting an original BCN boundary marker still insitu, we were impressed with all the work on the path and with the effort put into laying and replanting the towpath hedge throughout since our previous visit 2 years earlier. At that time an electricity cable was being laid in a trench beneath the towpath and is now invisibly supplying power to the adjacent quarry who have been very helpful in providing access and materials for the works. In due course the electric supply will power back-pumps at a new deep lock. The original Crane Brook culvert and embankment had been destroyed when the BNRR (now M6 Toll) was built but the Trust has now replaced both in a major civil engineering project. They have since constructed a concrete trough canal channel above the culvert, with a concrete canal bed between there and the site for the new deep lock, which is necessary in order to raise the canal to the level of the aqueduct over the motorway. In the shorter term the intention is to build a towpath ramp up to the aqueduct to allow the Towpath Trail to be continued through to Barracks Lane,
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creating a new rural footpath accessible at both ends. Whilst still a building site at present, L&H are happy to show groups around. Our members were suitably impressed with this massive volunteer effort to reinstate the canal and were happy to make individual donations to support its continuance. Over half of the party stayed on for refreshments and or meals at The Boat which has a sophisticated menu as well as being very supportive of the Trust’s endeavours. (Report and photos by Phil Sharpe) IWA Festival of Water—Ilkeston 26th/27th/28th August Although this wasn’t strictly in our area Lichfield Branch was at Ilkeston in some numbers, as well as helping on the sales stand there was also involvement at the National level. Three days of excellent weather saw the locals turn out in force with quite a few people saying “It’s great— are you coming back next year”. Unfortunately we had to tell them that next year we will be at St Neots in Cambridgeshire. The Ilkeston site was Photo Margaret Beardsmore large with plenty of room for stands and car parking and close to the Erewash canal where there were over 100 boats moored. Caldecote, the Quarryman's Trail and Coventry Canal Walk - Tuesday 5th September 2017 As luck would have it, this was the only rainy day either side of weeks of glorious weather. Unperturbed, we set off from the car park of The Anchor Inn on the Mancetter Road at Hartshill and headed towards Leather Mill Farm at the end of a long tarmaced track. Turning right we passed through a hedge and walked alongside the river Anker in the direction of Caldecote Hall. The house has a rich and varied history. For a long time it was home to the Purefoys, an ancient family of Warwickshire landowners and staunch Parliamentarians. It was besieged by the Royalists under Prince Rupert in late August 1642. Little did the Royalists know that the owner had gone into hiding in the estate grounds, and that the well-trained Royalists soldiers were up against a motley crew of Mrs Purefoy, her
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maids, her son in law, and eight employees who repeatedly loaded the armoury of twelve muskets. The house was eventually burned to the ground, but the Parliamentarian Colonel Purefoy got his revenge when he became one of the signatories to the death warrant of King Charles I. The rebuilt Caldecote Hall has now been converted into flats having more recently been a "home for inebriates". Although the estate village is within earshot of the busy A5, time seems to have passed it by and it contains some interesting historic properties, not least the intriguingly-named Church of St Theobald and St Chad, which we approached but couldn't enter. At a bend in the track we had the option of adding a mile to the walk by heading towards Weddington. Instead, and partly because the pub landlord had been very keen for us to turn up on time, we took the shorter route under the railway line and uphill to the Coventry Canal at Wood Bridge. Springwood Haven Marina opened here about 20 years ago, and its boathouse has a traditional canal look which belies its age. However the cream-coloured hire fleet of Valley Cruisers is no longer there. We were now on the Quarryman's trail. Stone was brought to the canal by horsedrawn wagons, lorries and rail where it was tipped into narrowboats for onward transportation. The nearby Oldbury quarry still extracts stone for road building but it is no longer transported by water. Report and photo by Clive Walker
Community Boat Trips in Rugeley - Saturday 16th September 2017 One of IWA’s aims is to help as many people as possible to enjoy our beautiful Inland Waterway network, including the elderly and disabled. We therefore applied to Rugeley Town Council for a grant to hire the ‘Walsall Enterprise’ narrowboat from the Truman Enterprise Narrowboat Trust. CONTINUED ON PAGE 13
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The ‘Walsall Enterprise’ is a community narrowboat with disabled access and a large open front deck. Volunteer crew is provided, making it ideal for our needs. On the Friday before the community trips some of our volunteers helped to crew the trip boat from it’s usual moorings at Calf Heath - this gave a few of our non-boating volunteers the opportunity to experience working the locks and in some cases steering. On the Sunday we made the reverse trip. We had five boat trips altogether on Saturday, four of which were circular trips in Rugeley with the last one going to Great Haywood. This enabled the Walsall Enterprise crew to moor there for the night, making the Sunday trip more manageable. We had groups from Wilson Keys Sheltered Housing, the LDD group (a charity for young people with learning and other disabilities), whilst Rugeley Community Church brought along some of their less able bodied and elderly congregation. In total we took 50 people on what was in many cases their first boat trip and what a great time we all had. The volunteers from the Truman Enterprise Trust could not have done any more for our ‘guests’, whilst IWA Lichfield Branch provided refreshments for the trip - with our cake makers working overtime. A big thank you must also go to the LDD volunteers, and Kevin from the Community Church for all their work to make the day such an overwhelming success. Some of
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our ‘non IWA’ local volunteers also provided valuable help and support. Altogether, it was a memorable day for all concerned - and very much what IWA is all about. The Truman Enterprise Narrowboat Trust are very flexible in what they can provide. Their website for more information is www.truman-enterprise.org.uk Report by Margaret Beardsmore, photos by Margaret Beardsmore Wednesday 20th September—Talk on “Sandfields Pumping Station” Our first meeting of the autumn season was a fascinating illustrated talk on the iconic Sandfields Pumping Station in Lichfield. This is currently in the care of Lichfield Waterworks Trust. The Trust’s Chairman David Moore told us not just about the workings of this beautiful old building and it’s engines but also the tragic events that led to the need for clean water. As a result of the devastating cholera epidemics in Victorian England there was a pressing need for a clean water supply. Building of the Sandfields pumping station commenced in 1854 and provided a clean water supply to the people of Walsall and the Black Country. 23rd/24th September– Huddlesford Heritage Weekend Our IWA Branch Stand was out again at the Huddlesford Heritage Weekend - mainly manned by Helen Whitehouse but assisted by some of our members. The rally, held every two years, is principally a fund-raising event for LHCRT and Lichfield Cruising Club so we saw it as a way to support them, but also add to our funds and promote IWA Lichfield. There were a large number of visiting boats lining the bank including quite a few traders selling all sorts from home brew kits to jam. Saturday saw a range of Classic cars attending but on Sunday there were so many there was difficulty finding places to put them all. The weather was glorious and the event very well attended by locals, so altogether a fun weekend all round.
Report & photo Margaret Beardsmore OBITUARY – ROB DAVIES Lichfield Branch members will be sad to hear of the death of local and national IWA campaigner Rob Davies, who passed away suddenly, following a short illness, on 6 September at the age of 77. Born in North Wales, a career in bank management with
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NatWest led to him and his family moving into a canalside house on the Coventry Canal at Whittington 44 years ago. The family became waterway enthusiasts and boat owners and Rob was drawn into voluntary work, firstly as treasurer of the Trent & Mersey Canal Society. He successfully steered the society’s finances and became involved in organising campaigns and events, such as those for the restoration of the Anderton Boat Lift. As an IWA member he became treasurer of the Midlands Region but on a wider basis he was a director of National Waterways Festivals and a joint vice-chairman of the board. Supervising the organising of IWA national events and with a very much hands-on role in those in the Midlands; such as the massive Black Country ones. He received a prestigious IWA Richard Bird Medal for his work for the association. When the idea of preserving and restoring a Shropshire Union Canal fly-boat was mooted he was one of the two joint-founders of the project. Which became the Shropshire Union Fly-boat Restoration Society and led to the restoration of Saturn and its current operation as an educational facility. Again, his financial acumen led to Heritage Lottery Fund and other grants and the full funding. He was still actively involved as a trustee and was elected as one of the two vice-presidents. Following the reopening of Ireland’s Shannon-Erne Waterway he was again one of the two people who led a major anniversary of the original Ballinamore & Ballyconnell Canal by taking a flotilla of English canal boats (by ferry) across the sea to that country. They spent two weeks in a major celebratory cruise on the canal and the Shannon and Erne systems. Buying a new boat equipped with a traditional Russell Newbery engine, Rob joined the owner’s Register. He became its Administration Manager, only retiring recently after dedicating 18 years to the role. His contribution was enormous, as he also organised the first five Register boat rallies, handled the production of – and often edited - 61 newsletters, and introduced merchandise. Locally, close to home, he was a trustee and committee member of the Lichfield & Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust and an active member of the marketing committee. The village of Alrewas was gridlocked with parked cars and Alrewas Methodist Church and the attached schoolroom packed out with Rob’s friends from all over the
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waterways for his funeral. Some RN owners came by boat. He left a legacy of achievements and friendships and will be missed by many. Our condolences go out to Helen, Rachel and Andrew and all of Rob’s family. Report and picture by Rob’s good friend Harry Arnold Planning Matters
Phil Sharpe, Planning Officer This report covers the more important of some 60 planning matters dealt with between the middle of July and mid October 2017. They are all summarised in notes on the website Planning page and I can supply further information on request. On the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal we have responded to the Stage 2 consultation for the West Midlands Rail Freight Interchange which would surround the canal between Gailey and Four Ashes. Following our earlier meeting with the applicants, the amended plans show some improvements including more mounding and screen planting near the canal, proposed canalside community parks at Gailey and Calf Heath, towpath improvements, and removal of 3 redundant bridges across the canal next to the chemical works. We suggested they should also move the new access road further away from the canal, improve the screening, set back or reduce the height of the nearest warehouses, and that the new canal bridge should be brick faced. However, this would still be a hugely intrusive industrial development that would destroy the rural setting of the canal between Gailey and Calf Heath with significant visual impact and noise from operation of the 14 massive warehouses, the new access road and the rail terminal. The noise would particularly affect residential and visitor moorings, the boatyard and the canal shop at Gailey. The wind funnel effects could also ruin sailing on Calf Heath Reservoir. In planning terms, this is inappropriate development in the Green Belt which is not justified by exceptional circumstances. The West Midlands is already served by 2 strategic rail freight interchanges and the local area by a rail terminal at Cannock, and the Black Country would be better served by one or more smaller sites on Brownfield land within the conurbation. Most traffic would inevitably be by road which would greatly increase congestion on the M6, A5 and A449, and an alternative site at Featherstone would be significantly less damaging. On a much smaller scale, at the Fox & Anchor at Cross Green, now apparently to be known as just The Anchor, the brewery had applied to put fencing on the roof to screen ventilation plant. This was welcome but we were less impressed with the excessively large signage shown on the fencing, which has now been altered. On the Trent & Mersey Canal the proposed housing alongside the Salt Works Arm at Weston has been reduced from 4 to 3 houses and the access and parking improved, but it does little to mitigate damage to the Trent & Mersey Canal Conservation Area so our previous objections have been repeated. In Rugeley, a previous consent for rebuilding the garage by Leathermill Lane canal
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bridge was not carried out and new plans show an extension backing onto the canal, but with inconsistencies about the fencing and no apparent access to the rear for maintenance. The Coventry Canal would be affected by the “Canalside Fradley” site at the Pig Farm and adjacent fields between Hay End Lane and the canal, proposing a mix of housing and elderly care homes and apartments. Although not yet a planning application, a local exhibition was held and IWA has since made clear its opposition to any more built development of the greenfield land north of the canal, which forms a natural boundary to housing development on the former airfield site. At Huddlesford the proposed housing in the small field opposite The Plough Inn that we had criticised has again been refused. At Nuneaton, following the appalling plans for an industrial estate with huge warehouses near the canal at Faultlands Farm, an application has now been made for a large housing estate on the opposite side of the canal. This is identical to a 2014 application which was refused due to being in the Green Belt, and its proposed allocation in the Borough Plan is not yet adopted so it remains premature. The Plan does require some enhancements to the canal corridor, but loss of its rural setting would diminish the canal’s recreational attractiveness, tourism and economy, so the proposed open space corridor along the canal should be wider to minimise visual impacts. Restoration of the Hatherton Canal could have been made more difficult by late stage changes to the Walsall Site Allocation Plan’s Canals Policy, requiring the restoration to be subject to a Habitats Regulations Assessment and to restrictions on boat movements on the Cannock Extension Canal. The strong objections by IWA, Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust (LHCRT) and CRT were identified by the Inspector as a main issue for discussion at the Examination Hearings to consider whether this is enforceable or necessary, and we jointly presented our case against these unreasonable demands by Natural England. I am pleased to report Cannock Extension Canal
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that at the Hearing NE’s Solicitor conceded that reference to boat movement restrictions were not justified and should be removed, and we were then able to agree a simplified wording for the policy that does not prejudge the outcome of an Appropriate Assessment. At the same time a consultation on revision of the Black Country Core Strategy proposed to remove any reference to the Hatherton Canal restoration. We objected, arguing that it is essential to support such strategic projects at this level and it should instead be expanded to also support the Lichfield, Lapal and Bradley canal restoration projects. We further argued against the extensive Green Belt development proposed which threatens the remaining open countryside areas of the Black Country canal network that are vital to its recreation value, tourism and economy. The Core Strategy review is premature and unnecessary, uses inflated housing need estimates, and fails to take account of the Brownfield Land Register due by the end of the year. We consider that its proposals for extensive Green Belt development are unjustified and unacceptable and should be discontinued. The Lichfield Canal restoration route is threatened by two applications for the Deanslade Farm site completely failing to make any provision for the canal despite it being required by the Local Plan Strategy and backed up by the Infrastructure Development Plan. We have argued that the main site, for 475 houses south of Falkland Road, should include the canal route within the site boundary in order to provide the basic canal channel earthworks and a new canal bridge at the Claypit Lane junction with the bypass. This needs to be constructed at the same time as the junction remodelling to avoid future disruption to the main site access and services. But of even greater concern is the commercial site proposed between Birmingham Road and the railway, where LHCRT are already fundraising to build a bridge under the railway alongside the bypass bridge being planned for Christmas 2019. However, the application plans show a car park right across the canal line where a cutting for the canal is needed between the roundabout culvert and the railway bridge. This is obviously contrary to the Local Plan requirement to integrate the canal into the open space network. The developers have refused to meet LHCRT and the Planning Statement makes ridiculous excuses for avoiding their obligations. Strong objections have been made to both applications which must be refused in their current form if the Local Plan support for the canal restoration is to be upheld and additional major obstacles are not to be put in its way. HS2 High Speed Rail Update – October 2017 On 17th July the Secretary of State issued a very large number of HS2 documents. These include the Bill for Phase 2a, Fradley to Crewe, with its Environmental Statement, Plans, Design Refinement Decisions, etc. For Phase 2b they include the Route Refinement Decisions & Maps, Route Engineering Reports, etc. Consultations
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were also announced on the Phase 2a Environmental Statement, and for Phase 2b on the Environmental Assessment Methodology, Eastern Leg Rolling Stock Depot and Crewe Hub, with various deadlines in September and October. I have contributed local information to our national response to the Phase 2a Environmental Statement and IWA has also responded to the other consultations. In the Lichfield Branch area, the significant changes affecting our waterways since the last consultations on Phase 2a in September and on 2b in November 2016 are around Fradley, Great Haywood and Measham. At Fradley, noise fence barriers across the Phase 1 Trent & Mersey Canal Viaduct are now shown as up to 2m high on both sides, which will help protect the moorings by Fradley Wood above Shadehouse Lock. However, our requested extension of the fencing onto the adjacent embankments, here and as a general case, to prevent noise “spill over” around the ends of the bridge has so far been ignored and we continue to press for better noise mitigation at all canal intersections. North of Fradley removal of the maintenance loops from Pipe Ridware to near Stone and ‘other design requirements’ have resulted in changes to the vertical alignment across the Trent valley. The height of the embankment immediately north of Fradley has been reduced, which will help limit the visual and noise impact on the Trent & Mersey Canal between Wood End and Kings Bromley Wharf, with a 2m noise barrier on the section nearest Kings Bromley Marina (about 0.8km away). However, other parts of the embankments and viaducts across the Trent and Bourne Brook valley have inexplicably been raised which will cause more widespread noise and visual impact. At Great Haywood our previous representations have had some effect and noise fencing across the viaduct has been extended and raised, from 1 to 2m on the north side and from 2 to 4m on the south side adjoining the marina, but we continue to press for further improvements. The height of the viaduct has been marginally reduced but at 15.4m is still higher than should be necessary. It has been confirmed
Proposed HS2 Viaduct near Great Haywood Marina
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that access beneath the viaduct to the amenity area and parking will be reinstated on completion, but the viaduct construction will take over 3 years which will have a damaging impact on the moorers and on the business prospects of the marina with its associated farm shop and café. The main construction compound just across the existing railway from Hoo Mill Basin will be operational for 6 years from 2021, with major road traffic and construction noise impacts in the area throughout that period. The viaduct is to be built and slid across the valley from a ‘launching yard’ east of the railway and visualisations show a very thick concrete structure dominating views from the marina and along the canal. A painted steel deck would be less bulky and avoid the notoriously unattractive weathering of reinforced concrete. For construction and operational reasons, the visualisations showing trees remaining right up against the viaduct are considered to be unrealistic. At Measham the unexpected decision not to proceed with the 2016 consultation route east of Measham removes the major problem of conflicting levels which would most likely have required diversion of the Ashby Canal from the Transport & Works Act restoration route. But reversion to a route west of Measham, modified by moving 80m east to avoid the Plastic Omnium factory, will have a major impact on the approved housing development that was set to fund and provide a significant length of new canal along the old railway and restored canal into Measham Wharf. The new HS2 alignment will cut through the housing site and isolate a further area between HS2 and the A42. This may render the whole site untenable and lead to total loss of the funding for the canal. At best, it will halve the developable area and reduce the length of canal that can be provided.
No doubt the housing developer will make a substantial compensation claim for this, and it is vital that any settlement includes compensatory payment to fund the originally agreed canal infrastructure. The plan shows the viaduct over the Mease finishing just across Burton Road with an embankment across the projected canal line. But the track level is about 99m compared with canal water level of 92.35m which will give ample headroom for a canal bridge or extended viaduct, provided that HS2 can be persuaded to provide this. Other changes to Phase 2b affecting waterways outside Lichfield Branch area include confirmation of the revised eastern route through Yorkshire which removes the main threat to the Chesterfield Canal, although details of the crossing at Norwood and the Staveley Depot spur remain to be resolved. Near Leeds a new site for a Rolling Stock Depot with an extra bridge over the Aire & Calder Navigation is proposed and CRT are concerned to avoid any restrictions on headroom or navigation width. Phil Sharpe, Planning Officer
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Editorial Notice Lichfield Lines is the newsletter of IWA Lichfield Branch, it is produced 4 times a year to keep members informed about our forthcoming public meetings, walks, work parties and other activities, to provide reports on recent meetings and events, and to include articles of general interest to our members. The editor, Peter Gurney, welcomes articles, letters or photographs of waterway activities in our Branch area which can be emailed to pete.gurney@waterways.org.uk (Please note there is a 10MB limit for emails with attachments sent via this address). The copy date for the next newsletter will be 15th January 2018, for publication in February. Advertising Lichfield Lines is posted or emailed to about 300 addresses covering around 400 Branch members. It can also be read and downloaded by anyone from the Branch website pages. If you would like to publicise your waterway related business to our members, and others that read the newsletter online, we can offer advertising space at the following rates: Full Page - £20 per issue
Half Page - £10 per issue
Please contact the editor to discuss artwork and layout. By advertising you will help to sponsor IWA's charitable activities and reach potential customers who are all committed to the waterways. The IWA has a range of corporate members some of whom offer discounts to members. The discount details can be found on the IWA website at www.waterways.org.uk/support_us/corporates. Corporate members in our area are— Lichfield Cruising Club Stafford Boat Club Ltd Truman Enterprise Narrowboat Trust Ashby Canal Trust Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust Canal Transport Services Ltd Waterways World Ltd Fingerpost pub Pelsall Clifford Arms Great Haywood
Longwood Boat Club Ashby Canal Association Tamworth Cruising Club Ash Tree Boat Club Countywide Cruisers (Brewood) Ltd Elite Furnishings Birmingham and Midland Marine Services River Canal Rescue Ltd Midland Chandlers Glascote Basin Boatyard (Norton Canes Boatbuilders)
Please mention the IWA when contacting any of these Corporate Members.
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Your Committee Chairman Tel: 01889 583330 Email: phil.sharpe@waterways.org.uk
Philip Sharpe
Acting Secretary
Philip Sharpe
Acting Treasurer Tel: 01785 255101 Email: pete.gurney@waterways.org.uk Planning & Website Tel: 01889 583330 Email: phil.sharpe@waterways.org.uk
Pete Gurney
Newsletter Editor, Publicity and Membership Tel: 01785 255101 Email: pete.gurney@waterways.org.uk
Pete Gurney
Volunteer Coordinator Tel: 07581 794111 Email: margaret.beardsmore@waterways.org.uk
Margaret Beardsmore
Speakers Secretary Tel: 07947 337491 Email: pat.barton@waterways.org.uk Minutes Secretary
Pat Barton
Navigation Officer 07847 470112
Derek Beardsmore
Ex Officio: Region Chairman Branch Sales and External Talks (non-committee posts) Email: helen.whitehouse@waterways.org.uk
Helen Whitehouse
Walks Coordinator (non-committee post) Tel: 07866 201873 Email: clive.walker@waterways.org.uk
Clive Walker
Branch Contact Address Email: lichfield@waterways.org.uk
IWA Lichfield Branch 34 Old Eaton Road Rugeley, Staffs WS15 2EZ
Philip Sharpe
Position Vacant
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