The Northern Reaches Restoration Group

THE NORTHERN REACHES RESTORATION GROUP

Restoration Update - Newsletter Spring 2004 No. 6

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INTRODUCTION BY HAL BAGOT. CHAIRMAN, NRRG

Welcome to the Spring Newsletter
As you will see from the following pages, work proceeds apace with plenty of community involvement in the project.
In November, I welcomed some sixty members of the NRRG Steering Group to an update session at Longlands Hotel near Tewitfield Locks. It is great to know that so many organisations support the NRRG.
Shortly after that, ERM our consulting engineers formally presented their report to the North West Development Agency. NWDA then advised us that funds are not currently available to carry out the complete scheme as one operation, and requested that we take the project forward as a phased scheme.
The project partners that form the NRRG are now working towards this new objective.
At this point I would like, on behalf of the NRRG, to send best wishes to Tania Snelgrove, BW's Senior Engineer, who is on maternity leave. Everyone will agree she has worked exceptionally hard in the past two years developing the project.
Martin Clarke, BW's Restoration Manager North West, will continue to oversee the project on behalf of British Waterways.
It's going to be a busy year, with much to do, so I look forward to seeing you all at the IWA meeting at Kendal Town Hall on Wednesday 10th March.

FREE PUBLIC MEETING
Inland Waterways Association presents 'Northern Reaches - Update on the Restoration' with guest speaker: Martin Clarke, Restoration Manager from British Waterways

Auction
A series of unique pictures taken by locally-based professional photographers of the Northern Reaches.

Assembly Room, Kendal Town Hall.
10th March 7.45pm
The talk will give an update on the progress of the scheme.

All are welcome!

Working Parties have no Time for Winter Hibernation
Throughout the winter months there has been plenty of conservation work undertaken by the Lancaster Canal Trust.
Overgrowth has been cleared from the southern end of Hincaster tunnel and from around the old stables block at Crooklands.
In February, LCT working parties spent two days cutting down and clearing woodland adjacent to the towpath north of Burton Aqueduct at the southern end of the Northern Reaches.
Clearance was made additionally difficult for the 15 volunteers by the exceptionally dense vegetation and inaccessibility of the site.
During the clear up, a number of larger logs were used to create wildlife habitats.
Will Warburg, from the Trust, said: "Working Parties demonstrate the commitment of the Lancaster Canal Trust to the restoration of the canal to Kendal.“
“As part of the Northern Reaches Restoration Group, we are confident that the plans currently being developed will bear fruit very soon."
Further work will include litter removal from woodland in the Millness area, preparatory work at Tewitfield locks before the WRG summer canal camp and the placing of seating on the navigable section of the canal north of Carnforth.
The LCT working parties meets every second Sunday in the month, for more information contact 01772 746914.

The Lancaster Canal Trust is a voluntary group actively involved on the canal. They carry out work parties, organise and help out with canal events and crew the Waterwitch trip boat in Summer. Keen for new members they can be contacted on 01772 746914 (or look at their website at www.thelanky.co.uk ).

Walk Over Water
The Walk on Water sponsored event last September was a big success, raising more than £750 in support of the restoration, writes BW’s Claire Chapman.
Despite an overcast beginning to the day, the sun came out soon after we started along the towpath (which led to a bit of impromptu stripping by some, and a dip in the canal for others - the four-legged members of the group that is!).
The walk was led by staff from British Waterways and The Waterways Trust. From Crooklands we walked north along the towpath and on to the dry section over Hincaster Tunnel.
Lunch was taken at Levens Park, where Northern Reaches Chairman Hal Bagot thanked walkers for their support.
The day was beautifully clear, and as we walked through the fields the lovely views of the South Lakeland hills stretched out before us.
Overall it was grand day out and a certain number of us celebrated with a well-deserved
pint at the Crooklands Hotel afterwards.
A big thanks to all who attended (with the youngest participant being less than a year old) for making it such an enjoyable and memorable day.

Canal Camp to Double its Returns The Waterways Recovery Group is to return to Tewitfield Locks in August for an extra week this year. Last year volunteers spent seven days clearing an extensive area around the bywashes as well as carrying out repairs on the spill weirs. The popularity of the 'camp' has meant that the group will now be staying from 7th till 21st August. More environmental and restoration work is planned on the locks and the surrounding areas. From the smiles on everyone's faces last year it's an event that few are likely to miss..!!

Canal Repair Programme for 2004
Thousands of pounds worth of funding has been assigned to this year's repair and restoration programme on canal bridges and structures around Kendal.
In the first case, the NRRG will be acting in support of Cumbria County Council when it carries out £100,000 bridge-strengthening work at Castle Bridge. The original structure is an unlisted masonry arch of classic John Rennie design. In the 1930s it was extensively modified to accommodate a new road. The NRRG will be undertaking complimentary work cleaning the stone masonry, removing shrubs and trees and the fixing of a bridge numberplate.
Further improvements, costing £11,000 will be made at Natland Mill Beck Bridge, which will have its stonework cleared of vegetation and repointed.
Kendal Civic Society also has plans to renew the dilapidated stone steps in partnership with the NRRG. This has been costed at £20,000.
Thompson's Wharf, which is now filled in, lies just east of Changeline Bridge and is in some state of disrepair. Work is planned to repair and enhance the area with some onsite interpretation and even possible access to Garden Road.