Lichfield Lines Issue 24 Summer 2018

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Issue 24 www.waterways.org.uk/lichfield

Summer 2018

Lichfield Lines

Photo Allan Gilbert

The Late Peter Chandler OBE (see page 2)

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 - July 2018 The last issue of Lichfield Lines came out early (although the heading to my report should have said April not January !) and this one has been put back a few weeks due to holidays and my involvement with HS2, so it has been 4 months since the last newsletter. Although this is the quieter part of the year for our activities we have had two walks over the summer and by the time you read this we will have had our Lock Wind again at Barton Turn. However, your committee has been as busy as usual dealing with current issues and arranging future events.

Our indoor meetings resume in September and we have some interesting speakers to come thanks to Pat. Also in September we are again running a day of Community Boat Trips in Rugeley for several local disadvantaged and elderly groups, and Margaret has been busy arranging this. Pete continues to keep our accounts in order with help from Sue, and John has now taken over the membership portfolio. Derek has been following up on navigation issues with CRT, not easy whilst they have been reorganising, and Helen continues to boost our funds from Branch sales. Neil has returned from an extended cruise to deal with publicity, and I have had increased activity on HS2 to deal with as well as a steady stream of planning matters. Thanks are also due to Clive who already has the next walk arranged and to other helpers including Sheila and Lynn. With everyone’s help we can look forward to another successful season of IWA activities.

As well as local involvement, members can also contribute to IWA’s national campaigning, and boaters will be aware of some of the gaps in facilities provision that have opened up in recent years, so please contribute to the Gap Tracker Campaign, either online or by email. You might also like to enter the Silver Propeller Challenge which encourages boats to visit the less frequented parts of the network. Ten of the 34 locations on the connected network are in our West Midlands region, with six of them on the BCN, so we are well placed to participate. See the national website for details.

I was very sad to learn that our former Chairman Peter Chandler OBE had passed away rather suddenly in May at the age of 85, and that I had missed the funeral whilst

Photo Allan Gilbert

Peter Chandler OBE

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away in France. Peter was a Lichfield Branch committee member from 1994 to 2006, first as Vice Chairman then as Chairman from 1997 to 2001, then Secretary, and then Chairman again from 2004 to 2006. Even after retiring he was involved arranging speakers for us until 2015. We remember him both as a friend and as a calm, efficient and effective leader in whose time the Branch was one of the most successful in the country. In his working life Peter was a marine engineer and I was aware that he had worked for the Ministry of Defence on nuclear submarine design in Plymouth, Faslane and Bath before retiring to Alrewas and working as a consultant for Rolls Royce in Derby, although he never went into details for obvious security reasons. Those who did attend his funeral learnt more, as is so often sadly the case, of his time as engineer on the QE2, and leading a department of 300 managing the Trident submarines.

During his time in Bath Peter was on the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust during a critical period of its restoration. He later brought that experience to Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust where he was a director for several years, and is particularly remembered for designing their logo which has stood the test of time. Peter was also well known in the local community through his stage set and special effects engineering for the local amateur dramatics group. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Phil Sharpe Forthcoming Events Saturday 8th September 2018 – Community Boat Trips at Rugeley.

One of IWA’s aims is to help as many people as possible enjoy the waterways. With the help of a grant from Rugeley Parish Council we have hired the Truman Enterprise Narrowboat again to run trips for the elderly, disabled and young people.

We will have five trips in the Rugeley area, starting at Leathermill Lane (Tesco) Canal Bridge and provide our guests with light refreshments.

I would appreciate offers of help with the following on the day of the trips: Putting up/taking down the IWA Gazebo; Talking to the Happy Customers on last years trip

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public; Making light refreshments; Home-made cakes and scones; Helping people on/ off the boat.

We will be putting the Gazebo in a much more prominent place this year (on the top level by the bridge) so hope to raise considerable awareness and funds for IWA. If anyone feels they can help in any way please ring me, Margaret Beardsmore, Volunteer Coordinator, IWA Lichfield Branch on 07581 794111 or email: margaret.beardsmore@waterways.org.uk The boat is fully booked for these trips and it promises to be a fun day for everyone concerned.

We are also helping to crew the boat from and back to its moorings at Hatherton Marina on Friday 7th September and Sunday 9th September. At the time of going to press we still have a small number of places for these all day trips. If you would like to come along with/or without a family member or friend please contact me for details. It doesn’t matter if you are not able to help with locks as we would like to let as many people as possible enjoy a day out.

Margaret Beardsmore Thursday 13th September 2018 - Walk from Barton Marina: Barton and the Dunstall Estate.

This is an easy 6 mile walk on gently undulating ground with 4 stiles, on public footpaths, a quiet country road, and the towpath. Leaving the modern marina of Barton Turns we pass through the pretty village of Barton-underNeedwood and then head northwards skirting the woodland of Smith Hills. Walking along public access paths on the Dunstall Estate we will pause at Dunstall church opposite the entrance to Dunstall Hall. We will then continue through the parkland before turning south-east where we join the Trent & Mersey Canal at Tatenhill Lock. We then follow the towpath back to Barton Turn lock and our starting point in the marina. Meet 10:00 am for a 10:15 start in the car park of The Waterfront Public House, Barton Marina, Barton-underNeedwood, Staffs. DE13 8AS. Contact Clive Walker on 07866 201873 or clive.walker@waterways.org.uk

Dunstall Church

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Wednesday 19th September 2018 – “Bringing The Uttoxeter Canal Back To Life”.

In this illustrated presentation Steve Wood explores the route and history of the Uttoxeter Canal, and looks at recent steps taken toward bringing the canal back to life. Since the reopening of the first lock and basin at Froghall in 2005 the Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust has been part of a Living Landscape Partnership, working with other local and national organisations to celebrate the Previous Work Party on the Uttoxeter Canal rich heritage of the Churnet Valley and the key role the canal has to play in the past, present and future of the area. 7.15 for 7.30 pm at Martin Heath Hall, Christchurch Lane (off Walsall Road), Lichfield, WS13 8AY. Wednesday 17th October 2018 – “What am I doing here”.

A pictorial ramble through snapshots of a life as an itinerant waterway writer, photographer and volunteer campaigner. Canals, boats, places and people. With some added local historical scenes from the Waterway Images photographic library. By Lichfield Branch member and IWA national vice-president Harry Arnold MBE. 7.15 for 7.30 pm at Martin Heath Hall, Christchurch Lane (off Walsall Road), Lichfield, WS13 8AY. Wednesday 21st November 2018 – “The Natural History of the Midlands Canals (Part 2)”.

An illustrated talk by Paul Wilkinson, CRT Environmental Officer. Paul gave us his previous talk in January 2014 and this update will include invasive species and mammals. 7.15 for 7.30 pm at Martin Heath Hall, Christchurch Lane (off Walsall Road), Lichfield, WS13 8AY. Sunday 9th December 2018 – “Branch Christmas Lunch” After receiving plenty of positive comments about last years delayed Christmas Lunch we are returning to the same venue this year and hoping that the weather does not intervene. So save the date and we will see you at the Bull & Spectacles, Uttoxeter

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Road, Blithbury, WS15 3HY on Sunday 9th December. Blithbury is about 3 miles north of Handsacre or 3 miles northeast of Rugeley. At 12.30 for 1.00 pm. Menu and price details to follow. 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.

October onwards—Offside Vegetation Clearance Volunteers Wanted Our volunteers did a brilliant job last winter clearing overhanging vegetation along the offside bank of the Trent & Mersey Canal. This has been praised by many people during the summer months.

We will be doing similar work this winter and are looking to add to our current volunteer list as a couple of people have had to drop out.

This involves an ongoing Friday commitment throughout the winter months, though of course there isn’t a problem having time off where needed.

Full training is given and you would just work within your own capabilities from a purpose built workboat with CRT supervision. We need volunteers prepared to train to use a wood-chipper and possibly a pole saw and the work will be carried out in our local area. CRT will provide all equipment, safety gear and supervision.

Neil Barnett will be the ongoing IWA lead person (as last year) so please contact him for further information on neil.barnett@waterways.org.uk or his mobile 07808 846434.

Margaret Beardsmore Volunteer Coordinator, IWA Lichfield Branch.

Recent Activities Work Party at Brindley Bank, Rugeley - Friday 4th May 2018 Our volunteers met by the aqueduct on the Trent and Mersey Canal in Rugeley for some overdue tidying of the vegetation. May is always a difficult month for work parties as so many of our volunteers are away for at least part of the month, including myself and Derek. However, we had enough volunteers to do the

Ivor The gang at the work party (including the local Caplan PCSO)

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necessary litter picking, mowing, strimming and cutting back so the area looked a lot better after our work.

We cut down a dead tree that was threatening to fall across the top path, and another job was to remove a section of collapsing fence by the moorings that had been put up by an adjacent landowner in the wrong place.

We also wanted to do ground preparation for wild flower planting as we have been successful in a bid for a lot of free wildflower seeds. Any gardening projects are severely hampered by my lack of knowledge in all things gardening! Luckily, one of our members (Sheila) had been to the local Gardeners Guild meeting the week before and spread the word that we needed some expertise. Equally luckily, one of the people on my mailing list happened to be married to a Gardeners Guild member.

This lady turned up and told me that she had experience of community wild flower projects and showed me some photographs of what she’d done in the past. She was instantly promoted to Head of Wildflower Project and helped enormously with both hard work and expertise on the day. She has since been back to the area, cleared some more ground and planted the seeds. We hope for a lovely show of wild flowers around the ‘Bloody Steps’ area later in the year.

‘Together we are Stronger’ The arrival of help from an outside group made me think about our work over the last 8 years: When we did our major path laying projects we were helped by our friends at Lichfield & Hatherton CRT. When putting in the mooring rings Brian Holmes came and gave us his Shropshire Union Canal Society expertise. We had advice from the local Bat Group when we put up the bat boxes. We have had help from Rugeley Lions, PCSOs, Brereton Millions, Tesco, the Traders Association, Rugeley Town Council and of course CRT - the list goes on and on …

But we have also passed on what we have learned. Some of the key members of the Staffordshire Riverway Link group worked on our towpath and mooring ring projects, and have since improved the towpath at Baswich and put in mooring rings of their own. Every so often I get a phone call from another group who wants to know how we do things, where we got the money from etc. Recently I had an email a member of another canal improvement group who asked me to keep sending him emails because

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it gives his group ideas.

We have IWA members in Rugeley (and non IWA people) who regularly go down by the aqueduct area and clear the litter. It makes an enormous difference to what once was a ‘no go’ area and is now a haven for wildlife and a lovely place to moor for an evening. And so it goes on. By working together with other groups and individuals we are surely stronger, and long may it continue.

(Report and photo by Margaret Beardsmore) The Weddington Way and Mount Jud walk - Thursday 10th May 2018 Sunshine greeted the 12 walkers who assembled in the estate village of Caldecote, just off the busy intersection of the A5 and A444 roads. We began by taking a short detour to view Caldecote Hall and its neighbouring church of St. Theobald and St. Chad. The church was closed, but by chance we encountered a gardener, who turned out to be a resident of the Hall as well, and he gave us a brief local history.

We then returned to start the walk itself, striding across open farmland including a field of bright yellow oil seed rape, eastwards towards Nuneaton. There are recently submitted plans to build up to 400 houses here. After around a mile we climbed onto the Weddington Way, which in fact follows the line of the Ashby and Nuneaton Joint Railway.

The council have tarmaced the route and it provides a pleasant and safe green corridor into Nuneaton. After crossing the West Coast Main Line through an underpass we proceeded across waste ground and onto a railway bridge that took us

Through the oilseed rape on the Mount Jud walk

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over the Leicester to Birmingham railway line. The bridge is a good viewpoint from which to see the layout of several rail intersections, and we tried to establish the site of the demolished Abbey Street station, that marked the terminus of the Ashby line. Railways and quarrying were in abundance on this walk. We had been in sight of Mount Jud, a quarry spoil heap, since we had set out. Its conical shape is a landmark that has gained local nicknames ranging from "The Pyramids of Warwickshire" to "Nuneaton's Nipple".

We joined the Coventry Canal at Tuttle Hill Bridge 23. Stone would have once been carried from the quarries here by boat and we passed tell-tale raised banks in the undergrowth where loading would have taken place. Near Boon's Wharf a solitary telegraph pole, complete with cross-arms and insulators, remains intact, a remnant, along with those on the Shropshire Union, of a network which once lined the canals. We followed the meandering towpath to Wood Bridge 27 by Springwood Haven, where we left the canal to head back to our starting point.

We then drove the short distance to the Royal Redgate Country Pub & Kitchen where we enjoyed liquid refreshment and delicious tennis-ball shaped pies!

(Report by Clive Walker, photos by Clive Walker and Phil Sharpe) Snarestone and the Ashby Canal - A summer evening walk on Wednesday 18th July 2018 Ironically this 4 ½ mile walk took place on the only overcast day during the long hot Summer spell. However, we were probably fortunate in having some cooling cloud cover, since the ten participants had to proceed at quite a pace in order to make the deadline of 8 pm for the pre-ordered food; the waiter who took our orders before our departure was quite insistent on us arriving back on time.

We first turned right to walk a short distance through the pretty village of Snarestone before turning right again to pick up the Ivanhoe Trail. This is part of a 35 mile circular route around the north west of Leicestershire. The sponsored Ivanhoe Challenge takes place most Summers - the aim is to complete the route within 15 hours! The combined walkers of the IWA and Ashby Canal Association had no intention, on this occasion, of rising to the challenge (although we did have to get a move on later).

Proceeding south-easterly, and after crossing a number of stiles, some of which were overgrown and poorly maintained, we eventually arrived at Shackerstone Fields Farm,

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where we unexpectedly found the footpath blocked by a metal gate. Climbing over this obstacle we continued along Derby Lane, a quiet country road that leads to the entrance to the Battlefield Line in Shackerstone.

Mindful of the time, we decided on a short cut and traversed a field to join the Ashby Canal at Hill's Bridge. We followed the towpath northwards from this point. This is one of the most picturesque sections of this lock-free canal, even if the tranquility and beauty of the scenery is somewhat marred by the colourful characters of an alternative type of cruising club who frequent the bridges around Gopsall Wharf!

As 8 pm approached, and there was still a mile to go - made obvious by the mileposts we got up quite a sweat and arrived back at the pub car park, at a quarter past eight. We were admonished by the waiter for being fifteen minutes late, who told us that the food had been prepared on time. However, when we eventually sat down, the restaurant The offending metal gate

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was far from busy and we were kept waiting for a further thirty minutes for our food, which when it came, was substantial and freshly cooked.

Hopefully, there will be a Summer evening walk in 2019 too.

(Report by Clive Walker, photos by Clive Walker) Lock Wind—Sunday 5th August 2018 On a blazing hot day a group of members gathered at Barton Turn lock, erected a couple of gazebos and spent the day helping boaters through the lock, talking to passers by, cyclists and boaters about IWA and the waterways in general. One of the new branded IWA gazebos was put up on the towpath side and stocked with books, maps, hats and especially cakes and ice creams! As usual at locks the traffic was variable, one minute there was a queue and the next minute nobody. This at least meant that the overheating windlass wielders got a break every now and again. By 2 o’clock the number of boats dwindled to next to nothing, I think everybody had had enough of the sun and moored up for the afternoon.

The sale of cakes went well throughout the day attracting not just boaters but cyclists, walkers and customers of the Barton Turns pub who were sitting outside enjoying the sun and beer. Many boaters also left generous donation in appreciation of the work we were doing and together with the cake sales have produced some useful funds for the branch.

A well deserved ice cream during a lull in activity

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After a long hot day in the sun the workers enjoyed a very welcome cold beer (and soft drinks) from the pub. The pub had also allowed us to use their canalside barbeque. The excellent burgers, sausages and kebabs accompanied by salads went down very well, we even sold some surplus to a passing boater and the pub customers.

Well done everybody for working hard on a very hot day but special thanks must go to Helen Whitehouse for her cake baking and Derek and Margaret Beardsmore for organising and cooking the barbeque.

During the day Margaret Beardsmore was presented with the Victoria Cup by our Region Chairman Helen Whitehouse. This had been delayed from the volunteer day in April as the cup itself was not available on that day.

The Victoria Cup is a West Midlands Region award “to a member or members of the region for their work to further the aims and objectives of the Inland Waterways Association over a sustained period”. Earlier this Margaret receiving the Victoria Cup from Region Chairman year the Region Helen Whitehouse committee unanimously agreed it should go to Margaret Beardsmore.

Margaret has been a Lichfield Branch committee member, with two breaks, since 1993 in several capacities but the nomination was to recognise her “major role organising work parties and volunteers and in particular her achievements with the Rugeley Project since 2010”. This has greatly improved the canal environment, access and mooring facilities through Rugeley where Margaret has also organised several boat trips for MPs, local councillors and disabled groups.

Report by Pete Gurney & Phil Sharpe, Photos by Phil Sharpe Planning Matters This report spans a slightly longer period than usual, the 4 months from April to July 2018 inclusive, and covers some of the more important of about 80 planning matters dealt with in that period. All of them are summarised in the monthly notes on the

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website Planning page.

On the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal at Penkridge an application for 100 houses in fields on the northern edge of the village between the canal and the M6 is on ‘safeguarded’ land not yet allocated for housing, although the illustrative plan shows retention of trees and an open space buffer to the canal. At Stafford a Listed Building Consent application by CRT for work to repair St Thomas Bridge on Baswich Lane and to strengthen it with a concealed concrete slab St Thomas Bridge 101 Baswich over the arch will require closures of the road and the towpath.

Alongside the Trent & Mersey Canal at Mill Lane, Great Haywood the extension of the farm shop has been approved although the proposed retail conversion of the glasshouse was excluded. In Rugeley a small dormer bungalow is proposed on a narrow site at Regency Court between the canal and Armitage Road. At Fradley Junction we have made no objection to an extra 33 caravans on the Kingfisher Holiday Park provided they use the rear access to avoid increased vehicle traffic along the canal towpath.

By the Coventry Canal at Jordan Croft, Fradley the bungalow extension towards the canal we objected to was removed and the rebuild then approved. At Hopwas the Red Lion has applied for a single storey extension to the lounge at the rear and a disabled access ramp to the front entrance. At Tuttle Hill, Nuneaton plans for 400 houses on derelict quarry land on both sides of the canal provide an opportunity to clean up and improve the canal corridor with landscape planting and replacement of the existing unattractive bridges. A canalside pub at the south end of the site should include visitor moorings and improved towpath access.

On the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal at Dunton Wharf the proposed replacement of an existing haulage yard and its buildings by a digger driving school raised several

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issues including excavations and screening.

On the Ashby Canal at Trinity Marina in Hinckley the plans for 82 apartments have been revised as we requested to remove the canalside swale and retain existing vegetation, and the proposed new marina facilities building will provide improved services for users.

By the Wyrley & Essington Canal at Middleton Road, Brownhills revised plans for 9 new houses again raised concerns about proximity to a steep slope down to the canal and the lack of landscaping details. On the Cannock Extension Canal, in response to Natural England’s Conservation Objectives for the SAC we have commented on various matters including the need for dredging rather than any Wyrley Grove Bridge, Cannock Extension Canal unnecessary controls on boat movements.

Along the Lichfield Canal the Deanslade Park commercial development was approved in Outline despite our objections to the lack of a condition protecting the canal restoration route, although the developers have now agreed to at least consider an open cutting for the canal. Immediately adjacent to this is the tunnel under the railway to be built along with the new bypass bridge and we have fully supported Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust’s planning application. Negotiations with developers would be easier if the Local Plan had included a requirement for them to provide necessary canal infrastructure. This was agreed in 2014 as a modification to the Strategy Plan but then not included, and we maintain it should now be included in the Allocations Plan which is shortly to be Examined, and also in the Local Plan Review on which consultation has recently started.

On the Hatherton Canal at Calf Heath we have suggested a proposed 2 storey ‘bungalow’ on the offside should be set further back to minimise disruption from future canal restoration work. Confirmation that the South Staffordshire Local Plan

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Allocations document has been found ‘sound’ by the Inspector should mean that most of the Hatherton Canal restoration route will shortly have proper planning policy protection. However, Cannock Chase Council’s decision to stop work on their Local Plan Part 2 in favour of a complete Local Plan review means that safeguarding their parts of the current Hatherton Canal route will be further delayed.

This came about in anticipation of the Government’s update of the National Planning Policy Framework introducing a new requirement to review Development Plans at least once every 5 years, and to complete reviews no later than 5 years from adoption. This excessive imposition will result in almost continuous reviews of plans with a consequent lack of stability and certainty, further discourage public involvement, and provide yet more loopholes for unscrupulous developers to exploit. It is already resulting in a spate of new local plan consultations, with Lichfield’s new plan being started before the existing one has even completed its final stage of Examination.

Phil Sharpe, Planning Officer HS2 High Speed Rail Update – July 2018 The last few months have been a busy time on HS2 with developments affecting all 3 phases.

Phase 1 London - West Midlands The proposed diversion of Wood End Lane at Fradley has been an unresolved issue since 2016 when IWA petitioned the Commons Select Committee on an alternative alignment with less impact on the Trent & Mersey Canal. An assurance was given to CRT that the alignment would be reviewed in consultation with them, Staffordshire Highways and other affected parties, and during our Lords Select Committee hearing later that year HS2 accepted that IWA would be one of those consulted. However, HS2 did nothing and have now passed on the task to their Area North contractors Balfour Beatty Vinci (BBV) Joint Venture.

The currently peaceful scene around Wood End Lock

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BBV and CRT have formed a Liaison Group and I joined them at their second meeting in July to discuss all the canal crossings and interfaces from Warwickshire north to Birmingham and Fradley. It was pleasing to find that BBV are now working on an alternative alignment for Wood End Lane that would avoid the main road embankment near the canal, prior to Lichfield Cruising Club Moorings at Huddlesford Junction consulting Staffordshire CC. They are also aware of the urgency of agreeing plans and constructing replacement moorings for Lichfield Cruising Club before starting work at Cappers Lane, and have proposed widening the new canal channel at Cappers Lane to form a winding basin, which I have discussed with LHCRT. Designs for the various new bridges are still being optimised to meet the CRT Side Agreement requirements, have a reasonably attractive appearance, and minimise canal closures. It is very useful to be involved at this stage to influence the final designs.

Phase 2A West Midlands - Crewe In April HS2 evidence to the Commons HS2 Select Committee conceded that the heights of the Kings Bromley and River Trent viaducts and the intervening Bourne embankment could be reduced by up to 3.5m with landscape and visual benefits and a cost reduction of £3.3m. An Assurance was then given that this change will be made in an Additional Provision, which meets one of IWA’s petitioning points.

I attended a meeting in Birmingham on 3 July with the national chairman to discuss IWA’s petition with the HS2 Petition Manager and a Noise Policy Team member, but they did not appear to have the authority to agree any changes. Following the meeting I received a letter from the Director of Hybrid Bill Delivery repeating their misconceptions about the ‘transitory’ use of moorings, to which I replied explaining why they were wrong and why improved noise mitigation is needed.

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Moorings at Great Haywood Marina IWA’s hearing date had been set for 9 July and at 8 o’clock in the evening, after a day interrupted by Brexit ministerial resignations, I was finally able to present IWA’s Petition to the Select Committee. This asked for proper recognition of the residential use of most canal boats, and for better noise mitigation fencing for boats moored in Great Haywood marina, on the Trent & Mersey Canal at Great Haywood and Hoo Mill, and near Fradley Junction. I had a reasonably sympathetic hearing lasting 53 minutes and the transcript can be seen at: https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/hybridbills/HS2-phase2a/committeeevidence/1051515%20Hansard%20HoC%20HSRBC%2009%2007%2018%20 [Evening].pdf or the session viewed on Parliament TV at: https://www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/eabb4d41-ff71-4024-8426-d50d5b03f24b On 23 July the House of Commons High Speed Rail (West Midlands - Crewe) Bill Select Committee, Second Special Report of Session 2017-19, was published at: https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmhs2/1452/1452.pdf and includes: “The Inland Waterways Association petitioned on behalf of occupants of narrowboats and how HS2 classified their residences. The Great Haywood Marina will be significantly impacted by the scheme and HS2 should look at installing the 5m barrier

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as requested by the petitioner. Furthermore, HS2 should look at providing further noise mitigation at Fradley Wood.”

The full report will be produced later but IWA welcomes the early publication of these recommendations and looks forward to improved noise mitigation for narrowboat occupants at Great Haywood and Fradley Wood being included in the HS2 plans.

IWA had previously petitioned on noise mitigation on Phase 1 but HS2 Ltd had continued to regard canal boat moorings as ‘transitory’ with users staying only for a few hours at a time, whereas in fact many are occupied residentially for extended periods from several days to several months. It is therefore pleasing that the members of this Select Committee have listened to the evidence, understood that people do not just live in houses but also in boats, and recommended improved noise protection for these two canal locations. We hope that HS2 Ltd will now realise that the same principles should apply to the whole of HS2 and that we will not have to petition again on this matter for the waterways affected by Phase 2B. In the report the committee also expressed concern that people occupying rented residential boat moorings on a periodic tenancy appear to have little protection and no compensation in law. There was an assumption that boat owners could just move to another mooring. This arose from evidence about boat dwellers at Hoo Mill Marina, including long term and elderly residents. They directed HS2 to consider the individuals involved and state that the Committee has “power to award payment where the current minimum regime fails to give due regard to the disruption experienced”.

Phase 2B Crewe - Manchester and West Midlands - Leeds There have been a series of Information Events recently along the routes of Phase 2B and I attended one in Measham to discuss impacts on the Ashby Canal restoration. I then wrote to the HS2 Senior Engagement Manager giving minimum dimensions for the canal underbridge; asking for agreement to compensation payment to fund the canal reconstruction through the housing site; reminding them of the Design Manual for Roads & Bridges obligation to provide a canal bridge under the realigned A42; and supporting the developers’ alternative alignment at Measham that would avoid the housing site but still require two canal crossing bridges. This received a moderately encouraging response promising to consider the compensation and bridge requirement points, and confirming that the alternative route is being reviewed by the Secretary of State.

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Elsewhere, near Leeds, the Eastern Leg Rolling Stock Depot Consultation Response has agreed to IWA and CRT’s request to move the crossing point of the viaduct over the Aire & Calder Navigation to reduce the skew and avoid a tight bend on the navigation.

Phil Sharpe, Planning Officer PLEASE SAY YES

Before the implementation of the dreaded new GDPR data protect regulations IWA Head Office sent a request to all members asking them to say YES to receiving emails from the IWA. If you haven’t already please do so as it will mean you will get continued emails from Head Office about our forthcoming branch activities otherwise you will always receive membership information (including this magazine) but nothing else. Registration can be done by ringing Head Office (01494 783453) or by going online at www.waterways.org.uk/yesplease, you will need your membership number.

PLEASE SAY YES News From the Restoration Groups GALLOWS WHARF IN FULL BLOOM FOR JUDGES Lichfield’s canal restoration trust unveiled its stunning contribution to Blooming Lichfield when judging for Heart of England in Bloom took place on Thursday, July 25th.

Despite suffering weeks of blistering heat and bouts of brainless vandalism, Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust’s historic Gallows Wharf site looked a picture on a glorious summer day.

The Trust has created a Garden of Reflection at Gallows Wharf, close to the site of the city’s Gallows Wharf before work started

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gallows, originally erected in 1532, where on June 1, 1810, the last three men to be hanged in Lichfield met their fate, for uttering forged banknotes.

It was also at Gallows Wharf, near the junction of London Road and Tamworth Road, that stained glass windows rescued from a dissolved abbey in Herkenrode, Belgium, were unloaded from canal boats on their way to Lichfield Cathedral in 1803.

The Gallows Wharf doors, Herkenrode Glass crate and the A-frame boards, beautifully painted by signwriter Steve Cooper, enhanced the impressive planting.

The judges also cast their expert eyes over Rose Willow, a recreation of a 70ft narrowboat, which has been taking shape over the summer next to Tamworth Road, thanks to the efforts of pupils from Queen’s Croft High School and the Foresters Scout Group.

Queen’s Croft children were also involved in the painting of Rose Queen, which walkers along the canal can see on the wall of the London Road bridge, while National Citizen Service students learned the art of signwriting from Phil Ball to complete Rose Queen’s artwork.

The results of the Heart of England in Bloom competition will be announced in September and Lichfield will be hoping to repeat last year’s success when the city Gallows Wharf after completion of work was awarded a gold medal.

LHCRT engineering director Peter Buck said: "Whatever the result of the judging, we're winners anyway.

“We achieved our objective of recreating Gallows Wharf and creating a Garden of Reflection, and we've been overwhelmed by the generous response from the community.

“We’d like to thank our incredible volunteers, everyone who helped with this project and provided the plants.”

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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 October 2018, for publication in November.

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 Hargreaves Narrowboat Trust

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.

Lichfield Branch

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Your Committee Chairman and Acting Secretary Tel: 01889 583330 Email: phil.sharpe@waterways.org.uk

Philip Sharpe

Treasurer Tel: 01785 255101 Email: pete.gurney@waterways.org.uk

Pete Gurney

Planning & Website Tel: 01889 583330 Email: phil.sharpe@waterways.org.uk

Philip Sharpe

Newsletter Editor 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

Pat Barton

Navigation Officer Tel: 07847 470112 Email: derek.beardsmore@waterways.org.uk

Derek Beardsmore

Membership Secretary Tel: 0121 308 0293 Email: John.stockland@waterways.org.uk

John Stockland

Publicity—Press & Magazines Tel: 07808 846434 Email: neil.barnett@waterways.org.uk

Neil Barnett

Minutes Secretary

Position Vacant

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

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