TOWPATH
The UK’s Number ONE read for all waterways users
96 PAGES
Issue 167, September 2019
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Work goes on in wake of dam emergency
COMMUNITY: New boat launch P5 HERITAGE: Etruria feature P18
BOAT REVIEW: Ivar III P56
More than 1000 people worked day and night to stop the reservoir dam collapsing, with an RAF Chinook helicopter flying in repair materials as part of the emergency effort. More pictures on page 4. PHOTO: CRT
HOLIDAYS: Newborn camper P59
THE impact of the partial failure of the dam at Whaley Bridge on Canal and River Trust’s future work is “as yet unclear”, according to the charity’s chief executive Richard Parry. He couldn’t say for sure who would foot the bill for the major emergency
By Sarah Spencer
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Wigan Pier green light
operation and subsequent restoration at Toddbrook Reservoir. “That’s partly because we don’t quite know what the cost is and to what extent there will be some sort of national response,” Mr Parry said. He said the CRT “certainly” expected to bear the costs directly associated with work on the reservoir itself, but
COUNCILLORS have given the green light for a transformation at Wigan Pier, writes Geoff Wood. Sited alongside the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, it was originally a jetty where wagons would tip coal into waiting barges. In the 1930s it became famous in George Orwell’s description of the plight of the working classes, in his book The Road to Wigan Pier. Five years ago a nightclub on the site was pulled down, but now Wigan’s planning committee is set to breathe new life into the landmark. A wedding venue, gin distillery, micro brewery and town houses are among the proposals.
there was uncertainty around the rest and there were decisions to be made “beyond the immediate control of the trust”. Mr Parry added: “I don’t think we are expecting to make wholesale changes to future programmes, but we will see how this plays out.” He continued that for now the CRT
Funding hopes high
COTSWOLD Canals Trust is expecting a visit from the National Lottery Heritage Fund in mid-October, when an evaluation will be made as to whether the group is ready to submit the Stage II application for its Cotswold Canals Connected (CCC) project. A successful outcome will release the bulk of the funding to fully restore the Phase 1B – Stonehouse to Saul Junction – length and much more besides. “Everything is now being pulled together for the Stage II application and once that is done, work will need to start on preparing for the physical work so we are ready to go when we get the green light,” said chief executive Ken Burgin.
would “get on with what’s in front of us” and added: “We don’t really want to stop anything unless we reach a point where we absolutely have to.” The drama began after a period of very heavy rainfall on July 31 in the Derbyshire High Peak area. • Continued on page 4
Watersports riding a wave
WATERSPORTS participation in the UK is at an all-time high with 4.66 million Brits hitting the water in 2017, according to the latest research. This is the highest number recorded since the annual Watersports Participation Survey was first conducted. Canoeing remains the nation’s favourite way to get on the water, with 1.85 million people picking up a paddle last year, while ever-growing board-based hobbies are hot on its heels for pole position, receiving a combined 1.5 million participants. But the draw of traditional boating pastimes remains strong with more than 681,000 people enjoying motorboating, a rise of 37%.