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THE NORTHERN REACHES RESTORATION GROUP |
| "Restoring the Lancaster Canal to Kendal" |
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THE NAVVIES ARE BACK 12/08/2004 A group of modern day navvies have returned to the Lancaster Canal. Members of the Waterway Recovery Group are spending the next two weeks (w/c 9/8/04) carrying out restoration work on the flight of locks on the Northern Reaches of the Lancaster Canal at Tewitfield near Carnforth. The navvies, who are drawn from all walks of life and who give their time voluntarily, will be clearing the bywashes and the stone constructed channels which allow excess water to by-pass the locks, of nearly fifty years of decay. |
Many of the channels have become completely
overgrown or filled in over this period and will require digging out and the
joints in the stonework sealing to make the channels waterproof again.
About 20 to 30 volunteers from all over the
country are expected to take part in the event, supported by members of the
Lancaster Canal The Trust has also hired a local village hall, which the volunteers will use for accommodation. British Waterways is supporting the project through assistance from its engineering staff. The project continues the work started in 2003 when a similar event was held. A spokesman for the Lancaster Canal Trust said he was delighted that the Trust had been able to secure the services of the Waterway Recovery Group for the second year in succession. |
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Will Warburg, the Canal Trust's
work party Organiser, said: "Demand for the assistance of Waterway Recovery
Group members is always high from waterway restoration projects throughout
the country.
"We are very lucky that they have decided to include the Lancaster Canal in their programme." He added that the Trust were very grateful to local farmer, Roger Mason for agreeing access across his land to the site. "The bywashes are an integral part of the operation of the lock system. It is essential this work is carried out before the locks themselves can be restored to working order." For further information contact: Will Warburg 07889 366388 Editor's note: Waterway Recovery Group is a
national organization of volunteers, dedicated to the restoration of the
country's waterways network and is part of the Inland Waterways Association.
Members give their free time and pay a contribution towards the cost of
accommodation, food, etc whilst taking part in events. The locks on the
Lancaster Canal became derelict after they were closed to traffic in the mid
1950's, the gates being finally removed in the 1960's. This project is part
of the programme to restore the Lancaster Canal back to Original source: |
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| Cumbria County Council |
Lancashire County Council |
Lancaster Canal Trust | Inland Waterways Association | South Lakeland District Council |
Lancaster City Council | Kendal Town Council | British Waterways |
The Waterways Trust | |||
