The Northern Reaches Restoration Group

THE NORTHERN REACHES RESTORATION GROUP

Restoration Update - Newsletter Spring 2003 No. 3

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INTRODUCTION BY HAL BAGOT. CHAIRMAN, NRRG

As we head into 2003 and my first introduction to the NRRG Newsletter, I feel this gives a good opportunity to update on recent months. While this issue will concentrate on the Public Talk of 20th March, the Northern Reaches has been humming with activity since last year. 2002 was certainly busy for us - in early September, I welcomed the influential Board of The Waterways Trust to Levens Hall for a Board Meeting. Afterwards, Board members squeezed into a minibus for a tour of various sites on the length, including Canal Head, Change Bridge and Hincaster Tunnel. As they are the people who pursue funding, they are extremely important!! I felt they departed with a much better knowledge of our beautiful 14 mile stretch.

In October, Debbie Lumb, BW Waterway Manager and I made a presentation to the Cabinet – the small and influential group of Councillors who run the day-to-day activity - of Cumbria County Council. We came away feeling that they were impressed with our proposals and are well and truly supportive, as one of the partners. It’s great to have such strong support.

This month on 20th March, results from the Impact Study (carried out to assess the impact of the restoration) will be presented to the public. This is a major piece of work which sets out clearly the costs, and importantly the benefits, of restoration as it will affect not only the Northern Reaches length and the wider Lakes but also the whole line from Preston. This Study has been funded by North West Development Agency, and its recommendations will be crucial in attracting funding for the scheme.

On 20th September, the Millennium Ribble Link connecting the Lancaster Canal to the rest of the system was opened with great ceremony by the Government Minister Margaret Beckett. In her speech, she referred to the Northern Reaches and expressed the hope that restoration will follow before long. It was great to hear those words, and for me to have the opportunity to tell her that we welcome her interest. The Steering Group for the project had been invited down for this exciting event, and were given an update presentation on progress on the Northern Reaches beforehand. The Steering Group includes Council members for the five Local Authorities involved, Parish Councils and representatives from a large number of other voluntary groups as well, numbering over 60 people!!

A big welcome to Tania Snelgrove, the first Project Manager for the Northern Reaches. Tania is based at the Galgate office of British Waterways. In due course she will be joined by others as the restoration gathers momentum. And of course a big thank you to Claire at BW's office, Editor of this Newsletter, on the publicity side!!"

Restoration Engineering Issues

This March issue of the Newsletter is dedicated to the IWA Public Talk in Kendal, where the NRRG presents an engineering update on the restoration. Kirkby Kendal School (Kendal) and Queen Elizabeth School (Kirkby Lonsdale) present the findings of their engineering projects.

Debbie Lumb presents an overview of the ERM report and findings so far. This information will be featured in more depth in the Summer issue of the Newsletter – when we have the space! The Engineering report is part of the Impact Study, and something about which people have been asking lots of questions.

Tania Snelgrove, Project Manager for the Northern Reaches Restoration Scheme looks at the whole 14 mile length and describes the main obstructions, water resource issues, and issues surrounding the in-filled sections.

Issues for the restoration are the 6 culverts (including the 3 M6 culverts) 5 de-watered miles and the subsequent development of Kendal around the line of the canal. Re-connection of Hincaster Tunnel and water control issues are all significant. A radical alternative route at Peasey Beck is currently under discussion, and for those readers interested in finding out about these issues in greater depth, we hope soon to publish our findings.

British Waterways have sponsored Queen Elizabeth School in Kirkby Lonsdale for the Howards Aqueduct Project. The students have looked at designing an innovative structure to reconnect Hincaster Tunnel to the waterway. Because of the positioning of this structure over the A590, we are looking at a landmark piece marking the gateway to the Lakes.

Heritage, lighting, environmental and structural issues are all important and the students have come up with some remarkable ideas!

The 8 students working on the scheme are: Kay Chadwick, Peter Martin, Colin Woddock, Simon Travis, James Tait, Richard Crackles, Dzikoh Asgill, Nick Turner.

South Lakeland District Council have sponsored Kirkbie Kendal School in Kendal for the Natland Road Bridge Scheme. An important location, the canal will enter Kendal at this point, and Natland Bridge was demolished when Natland Road was constructed. The students were asked to develop a heritage structure in keeping with Lancaster canal, looking into topography, arched bridge design, materials and construction costings.

The 6 students working on the scheme are: Abigail Waters, Samantha Jackson, Steven Fay, Chris Smurthwaite, Joe Guest and Alan Welsh.

The projects were launched on 18th October 2002 at Newcastle University. There was a later 3 day session at Newcastle University where lecturers from various disciplines provided classes for the students, and PhD students also assisted the students. The students were also given access to the University facilities to build their models.

Tania has commented “ The quality of the work which the students have produced has been impressive. They have displayed skills in project management, research, technical ability, and presentation, which has combined with their enthusiasm and organisation to produce imaginative and thorough work. They should be proud of their commitment and achievements which has given them a taste of the multifaceted role of today’s civil engineer, incorporating traditional engineering with heritage and environment.”