IWA Bulletin - Mid March 2014 has been completed. After the event, pledged donations can be paid by cheque or over the phone, call 01494 783 453, by 19th April.
Photo: Gemma Bolton prepares for canoe training
On 26th March, the group plans to attend a work party in Marsworth. Weather permitting, the group will be lock painting alongside IWA Chiltern Branch to help improve a section of the Grand Union Canal that features in the challenge. After the work party some of the team plan to attend a second canoe training session to further develop their confidence on the water. To keep up to date with the participants’ preparations check the Acheman Challenge web pages or follow IWA on Facebook and Twitter. You can sponsor Toby, Stephanie, Gemma and Jenny and help raise funds for WRG’s new excavator: • Online, via Virgin Money Giving • By text, text ROLT46 followed by the amount in pounds e.g. “ROLT46 £10” to 70070 • By phone, call Toby Gomm at IWA’s Head Office on 01494 783 453 • By cheque, payable to The Inland Waterways Association and sent to Acheman Challenge, IWA Head Office, Island House, Moor Road, Chesham, HP5 1WA Alternatively, you can fill out a form to pledge your support and give your donation after the challenge
Toby Gomm, IWA’s Fundraising Officer, has said “After much zigzagging along the Grand Union we feel that more practice is needed and we are looking forward to the next session on the 26th. The important thing is that we all remained dry!” IWA would like to thank: David King and the rest of IWA Milton Keynes Branch, Chris and Judy Clegg of IWA Chiltern Branch, Canal & River Trust, The Coy Carp in Harefield, The Three Horseshoes in Hemel Hempstead, The Grove Lock in Leighton Buzzard, Camphill Café in Milton Keynes, The Black Horse in Great Linford, The New Inn in Milton Keynes, The Galleon Pub in Wolverton and Paddlesport Racers Association in Milton Keynes for the support they have provided in the planning and logistics of this event.
HS2 Plus - The Sir David Higgins Report on HS2 The report HS2 Plus, which reports on the strategy, proposals and budget of the HS2 project was published today. The report was requested by the Prime Minister in November 2013 and written by Sir David Higgins, Chief Executive of HS2. In summary, Sir David’s report discussed the potential of the new HS2 infrastructure to rebalance
the current and growing northsouth disparity and give local business the confidence to invest, creating economic activity, jobs and wealth. He highlighted the need to integrate HS2 better with existing infrastructure to improve east-west connectivity, which he believes is probably also inhibiting growth across the country. He confirmed the budget for HS2 Phase 1 as adequate, and made the point that the contingency should not be reduced until the likely level and duration of Parliamentary scrutiny was clear, as a longer time would increase uncertainty and cost. The report made the following specific points: • A more comprehensive redevelopment of Euston Station was needed as the current proposal was not ambitious enough. • The Phase 2 route should be accelerated to reach Crewe by 2027 six years ahead of schedule, and serve a new integrated road & rail hub there. The rest of Phase 2 could be accelerated to complete three years ahead of current plans. • Phase 2 needed to be better integrated with Network Rail’s classic network plans, especially where east - west connectivity could be improved. • There should be no reduction in mitigation measures, whether noise or environmental. • Phase 1 budget was confirmed as adequate, with contingencies retained at current levels especially due to the uncertainty of the Parliamentary process. • The HS1-HS2 link represented
Find out about volunteering - www.waterways.org.uk/volunteer 4