Restoration Update 2006

IMPORTANT FUNDING NEWS:

August 2006 - Droitwich Restoration Update (53KB PDF)

James Thompson (Project Manager)

It might feel like nothing is going on but there is plenty. The general frustrations that are felt about the progress of the project and getting started are felt by all but everyday brings us closer to the main engineering works, building on the other work which has been done recently on towpaths, education and canoeing improvements.

The Funding Agreements are progressing and what we're discussing is the detail. When delivering multi million pound projects there's almost as much detail in the legal agreements as there is in the application! It's very important that the detail is right for all the Partners, the funders and the Canals. They will be finalised in the next month.

Planning Application/Environmental Impact Assessment

Submission of the Planning Application and associated Environmental Impact Assessment is one of the key areas of work at the moment. This piece of work seems to have been going on for a long time. One of the reasons for this is the need to satisfy the Environment Agency with regard to the canalisation of the River Salwarpe to the east of Vines Park and to ensure that there is no increase in flood risk to adjacent properties as a result. Without bottoming this issue out, the Environment Agency would object to the Planning Application; a position which would probably be supported by the planners for such an important issue. British Waterways has therefore employed Halcrow Group to undertake a detailed Flood Risk Assessment Study. Modelling work has predicted a significant reduction in flood risk and protection of around 34 existing properties from a 1 in 100 year flood event. Additionally, a significant reduction in flood risk to two sites identified for future development would also result from canalisation.

The Environment Agency are currently reviewing the modelling work we have done and once they are satisfied we will be able to submit the planning application. This will hopefully be at the end of March. Flood alleviation afforded by the restoration scheme will be a very important planning gain as it will benefit both businesses and householders adjacent to the River Salwarpe. In addition it could also attract some financial support from the Environment Agency. Despite the delay associated with submission of the planning application, this does not hold up the programme. We are undertaking a lot of detailed design work at the moment which will allow us to start on site once planning permission has been given. The project is still programmed to be completed by the end of 2008 with the Grand Opening on the start of the 2009 boating season.

Engineering

Detailed designs for the new cut on the Junction Canal are progressing. A slight realignment is being investigated around the proposed Rugby Club bridge over the canal with the possibility of moving the new Lock 4 further west, closer to the M5. This will mean grouping two locks closer together possibly as a staircase lock. This will mean that we need to remove less earth which will have environmental benefits and could also significantly reduce costs.

Whilst there may potentially be savings on the Junction Canal , this is unlikely to be the case with the A449 crossing. In the last edition of the New Wych, we reported that the proposed route under the road would hit the 1942 extension to the original bridge according to the aerial photographs of the construction of the dual carriageway in the 1960s. In order to progress the detailed design of this structure ground investigations will be undertaken in late Spring. This will involve drilling down into the embankment on either side of the road to establish the ground conditions and allow us to determine the position of the original bridge. We are currently in negotiations with the Highways Agency, not only to secure the appropriate licence to undertake the investigations, but also to garner their support and permission for the construction stages.

Archaeology

Further investigations have been made into the suspected Wych Barge at Hawford across the entrance of the river lock. It has been thought for a long time, that if there is a trow sunk in this location it may be the Volunteer. David Viner (Heritage Advisor in the BW Regeneration Team) has undertaken archive searches and talked to local people to try and corroborate the stories and, to date, the majority of the evidence suggests that there's nothing there. This involved consulting the Greenwich Maritime Museum archives which records the Severn Trow, Volunteer as being broken up at Bristol Bridge by B. Perry 23 rd Jan 1934.

Nevertheless, there are still a few unknowns, not least aerial photographs from 1946 and 1954 which seem to show an object which is trow shaped in the river Severn adjacent to the canal. Ultimately we will have to dig a trench to investigate this further, but the next stage of investigation will involves Ground Penetrating Radar (as seen on Time Team) and soil conductivity testing. This will be funded by DCT and will help us to identify where exactly we should dig. We will obviously keep you posted on this interesting aspect of the project.

Getting involved.

Education

The new education resources can now be seen on the WOW website (www.wow4water.net) and include lesson plans for teachers to use with children aged between 7 and 11, specifically about the canals in Droitwich.

We are also planning for schools' weeks in the summer. We will be offering opportunities for classes to come to the canal for a 2 hour session looking at the habitats, having a go at canoeing and learning more about the canals by being out there. If you'd like to help out with these, please get in contact with Adam Wright (phone number at the back of New Wych).

Interpretation and Arts projects -

Updates on the projects that we're working on:

•  The Wych Barge in Vines Park - we are at the point of letting the contract for who will be working on the Wych Barge. As you'll remember, we won the People's Millions TV vote for the replica land based barge to be based in Vines Park . We will be working with local people in its development and input from members of DCT will be invaluable.

•  The Romanesque Mosaic in Vine's Park - Artist Alison Ogle has created a mosaic with 3 local schools. It is being installed close to St Richard's statue in Vines Park in March and represents the salt trade, the canals and Droitwich through the ages.

The other projects that we're planning include:

•  The Netherwich Young People's Art Project - a lighting, mural and towpath improvement project under the railway bridges near the basin. We've been granted funding for this from Wychavon District Council, The Environment Agency and we're awaiting a reply to the Young Roots fund.

Money

What's there already?
We have nearly £10.5m towards the total £11.5m budget. This is from Advantage West Midlands, the Heritage Lottery Fund, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (Liveability), Sport England, Worcestershire County Council and Wychavon District Council. There are also grants available from local Trusts and sponsors which are listed under each project as appropriate.

What we still need
The fundraising is being led by The Waterways Trust and British Waterways to find the remaining £1m for the project. Kim Chester (TWT) is working with members of DCT who may be able to help with raising money. There are lots of different ways to be involved, it may be that you just know the right person to ask in a local company who could give money towards the restoration or that you could help organise a raffle.

We still have a shortfall in funding of £1million and DCT can play a crucial role in this. Contacts within local business, helping at events and promoting the project are invaluable help towards this aim and offer a great opportunity to get involved by all members of DCT.

Contacts

If members have any questions at all relating to the restoration project please feel free to contact either:

•  James Thompson (james.thompson@ britishwaterways.co.uk or 01452 318028)

•  Edd Moss (edward.moss@britishwaterways.co.uk or 01452 318050)

•  Kim Chester ( kim.chester@thewaterwaystrust.co.uk or 01452 318098)

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