Towing Path Topics
Newsletter of the Inland Waterways Association Lancashire & Cumbria Branch
May 2024
DISCLAIMER
The views expressed in Towing Path Topics are not necessarily those of The Inland Waterways Association (IWA) or of its North West Region or of the Lancs and Cumbria Branch. They are, however published as being of interest to our members and readers. Nothing printed may be construed as policy or an official announcement unless so stated. The Association accepts no liability for any matter in this newsletter. No reproduction is permitted without acknowledgment.
Cover: Work on the Lancaster Canal Northern Reaches
Photograph acknowledgements (All others by the editor)
Pages 8,9,10,11 Studio John Bridge Architects
Pages 14, 33, John Hewerdine
Pages 16 Friends of Winkley Square
Page 29 Frank Sanderson
Page 32 Fylde Vintage Steam & Farm Show website
Abbreviations
LCT - The Lancaster Canal Trust
CRT - The Canal and River Trust
LCRP - Lancaster Canal Regeneration Partnership
L&L - The Leeds & Liverpool Canal
Copy date for next edition 15th August 2024
Contents
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Welcome to our spring edition of the branch newsletter. I am hoping that you receive this earlier than usual, in time for the events we have planned in May a Fund Britain’s Waterways event on the 4th and a branch trip on the 23rd, plus one of Nigel’s walks on the 12th.
Like most editors I worry that I will have nothing to include but quite a lot has turned up for this edition. It’s good news about the design for tramway bridge in Preston, see what you think at page 8. I think they have done a good job and it is interesting to see what had to be considered before arriving at the final design.
Talking of bridges, we enjoyed Michael Akers talk on the bridges that made Preston and I am happy to advertise his walks to see them and learn more. I shall try to go on one of them.
As usual there is bad news and thankfully some good news. The harbour at Glasson Dock is in a mess due to problems with the sea gate, pretty tough on the yachts etc stuck in the marina. Even worse for dock workers whose jobs are threatened. Lorries continue to knock about canal bridges originally constructed for horses and carts. Let’s hope the CCTV trial at Cockerham proves successful and CRT can catch some of the culprits so that they can be made to pay.
Some good news is that LCRP continues to attract funds for the Towpath Trail from Lancaster to Kendal. We have some clued-up people when it comes to sources of funding. Now we just need CRT to get on with making the improvements to the towpath.
Congratulations to WRG on the work they did on the Northern Reaches of the Lancaster Canal. They really are a professional outfit. It was good to get them to come this far north.
Don’t forget to send me any photographs or news of your summer exploits, I hope you have some great times.
David
Branch Chair’s report
Everybody needs more volunteers. You will see later in this edition that both the Lancaster Canal Trust and The Leeds & Liverpool Canal Society are short of people to help.
We too could do more for the canals if we had more help. The branch committee has shrunk to 6 but of those, Janet is without transport on the west coast of Cumbria and Ian is busy with nb Waterwitch and other Lancaster Canal Trust activities.
We are not necessarily asking you to join the committee but we would appreciate your support at events that we do attend. There are also jobs that can be done from home. For instance, I am finding it too much to book speakers for our monthly branch social meetings in addition to my other duties (including chairing LCRP).
Would you be willing to take on the role of speakers secretary? We have a list of likely speakers, some of whom we have used before. The role involves booking the room (we intend to continue with the Ibis Hotel), agreeing a date with a speaker and confirming nearer the time. Ideally arranging in advance the whole season from September to April but it is sufficient to arrange up to December in time to include details in the September edition of this newsletter. We also remind members by email 2 or 3 weeks before each meeting.
As a follow-up to Paul Hindle’s talk on the Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal we are planning a branch trip to see the canal itself on Thursday 23rd May (but we need to know numbers by the 16th). Paul will be our guide and we may be able to speak with the contractor who is repairing the breach that closed part of the canal 88 years ago(!). It’s all part of a large housing development below the canal in the Irwell valley.
Along with everyone else connected with our waterways, we are concerned about the state of the canals. With a reduction in CRT’s funding from the government it can only get worse. The Leeds and Liverpool Canal is in a sorry state, particularly the western half which is in our branch area. The stoppages for lock repairs seem to be increasing and lasting longer.
In support of the Fund Britain’s Waterways campaign we are joining others, in IWA and other organisations, to publicise our concerns over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend. On Saturday 4th May we will have a stand by the towpath near to the bottom lock at the Johnsons Hillock flight. We will have a display and hand out leaflets to people using what is normally a busy towpath, and any boaters of course.
I do not think it is being unnecessarily alarmist to suggest that the future of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal as a through-route across the Pennines is not guaranteed. It may be 60 years since British Waterways considered closing the canal due to lack of traffic and the cost of maintaining a broad canal, but it could happen again. Boat movements on the 3 Trans-Pennine routes, L&L, Rochdale and Huddersfield Narrow, are much reduced.
Work by Nick Roberts of Trentlink shows that, despite an increase in the number of boats on the system, lock use (and by inference the number of boats cruising) is well down. Boaters gave ‘restrictions’ as the reason for not cruising in 50% of cases. The L&L Canal was open ‘end to end’ for 118 days in 2023 compared to 220 days in 2016. In 2023 the Wigan flight was available for around 140 days out of 365.
Instead of going to Country Fest this year we are taking the IWA gazebo with its big map of the waterways to the Fylde vintage, steam and farm show. It is near Kirkham which is not far for our Fylde and Preston members so we hope that many of you will visit us. Not just visit but stay for an hour to help on the stand. That will allow me and others a chance to look round the show which has lots going on, I am looking forward to attending. If you can help, it would be useful, but not essential, if you could let me know beforehand.
We may also get to the Burnley Canal Festival on August Bank Holiday Sunday, the 25th, if we get some help.
Hopefully I have not been too depressing. Our local canals are still wonderful amenities. Let’s get out there and enjoy them this spring and summer. Even if the sun is not shining they are relaxing places to be, it has got to be good for us.
David FaulknerMESSAGE FOR THE BRANCH AGM FROM REGION CHAIRMAN
Apologies for not being with you as usual this evening but I am attending a Special Meeting of the IWA National Trustees.
You will be familiar with the troubles confronting the IWA as I have enunciated them over recent months. But where are we now?
1. We are NOT in a financial crisis. Our accounts have been submitted and accepted by the Charity Commission. But.... membership - and the concomitant income is declining, and fairly fast. We receive many legacies but, by their very nature, they are unpredictable and often tied to specific projects. So finance is a problem and we have to find new ways to raise it.
2. Can we maintain the service to members that we have for many years. For example, our Waterways magazine and those of the branches cost a good deal of money. Are they worth it?
3. Is a professionally-staffed HQ in Chesham viable? Could we reduce staff and substitute volunteers?
4. Should we be lobbying National & Local Government more and does the APPG on Waterways work?
5. WRG is an essential part of IWA’s activity - it needs more focus and a greater role.
6. Environmental sustainability and heritage protection should be higher on our list of objectives.
Enough to be going on with!
We have elected/appointed new National Officers:
• Mike Wills - Chairman
• Nick Dybeck - Deputy Chairman, Restoration
• Sue O’Hare - Deputy Chairman, Navigation & Campaigns
• Peter Marlow - Deputy Chairman, Membership & Environment
• Paul Lynam, Deputy Chairman, Finance
Enjoy the evening!
21 February 2024
Design for replacement Tram Road Bridge announced
The final design has been chosen based on technical, design and environmental criteria as follows:
· The bridge is a long way from the nearest road and a key requirement is being able to deliver it to site and bring equipment close enough to construct it.
· A bridge with a steel truss frame (a type of open web girder frame), has been chosen as it is strong and light and it can be assembled on site, then lifted into place with a crane.
· A number of variations of the design were put forward for the shape of the steel truss, as well as different options for the number of piers or supports (the legs of the bridge that extend into the water to the foundations).
· The length of the spans (the distance between each of the piers or supports) over the river are restricted, due to the weight that the crane can lift at any one time. This affects the positions of piers needed in the river.
· The existing bridge has nine spans and eight piers, six of which are in the river. The proposed design has four spans and only two piers in the river with a further pier on land. Fewer piers in the river reduces flood risk and the effect of debris impact. It also minimises construction time and provides a more efficient and elegant design.
· The bridge carries a bridleway and will be designed to carry pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders. The minimum height of a bridleway has to be 3.75m high for the safety of the horses and their riders.
· The design of the bridge supports sustainability factors as well minimising any environmental impacts of the new structure. The bridge will be of a high quality that meets local needs and takes account of the setting.
· The new Tram Road Bridge design references a number of trusses along the River Ribble. The reverse arch with two peaks provides the much necessary strength, and articulation whilst creating architectural interest.
· A linear deck is essential to counter future flood level predictions and provides maximum clearance, supporting local ecology.
· A lighting design will also respect the ecology and will provide a safe and attractive pedestrian bridge link from the South Ribble to Preston City.
· The painting and final colour of the bridge is yet to be decided but will complement its natural surroundings. Consideration has also been given to the ongoing maintenance costs associated with painting the bridge.
Design options that were considered and why they were rejected:
· A bow string profile was considered in the initial bid and a further straight profile in the central span but these were structurally inefficient for a bridleway bridge.
· An arch design was also considered but the truss frame of the bridge would be below the water line during a major flood event and so therefore it was rejected.
· The suspension bridge profile was deemed to be the most practical and attractive option. The proposal includes a splayed truss to give a more open feel for people using the bridge, enhancing the aesthetic interest of the structure and allows for more clear space for users.
All of the above taken from Preston council’s press release Ed
The replacement of the bridge is being funded from the £20m Levelling Up Fund awarded to Preston City Council by the Department of Levelling Up Housing and Communities (DLUHC). Lancashire County Council are providing overall funding support of £1m towards Preston’s LUF Active Travel projects which includes contributions to the new tram bridge. Estimated cost of the project is £6.6M.
The architects are Studio John Bridge, construction will be by Eric Wright Civil Engineering. Tree clearing has already started, the main work should start later in the summer and be completed by Spring 2025.
The present bridge, concrete imitating the original wooden structure.
Nigel’s Walks
On 2 Saturdays in March I joined Nigel Hardacre's guided walks through Preston following the route of the Lancaster Canal and the tramroad. The first one started in Avenham Park where we saw the route through the park including what had been the chain-hauled incline up from the Ribble bridge and the site of its steam engine.
We then crossed over the river by the old railway bridge and followed the straight avenue of the tram road to the other incline.
What had been the boiler house and steam engine is now a house where the owner kindly allowed us into her garden to explore further, and see examples of the stone sleepers used to support the tram rails.
Stone sleepers as a garden feature. If you look carefully you can find them all over South Preston, in walls and all sorts.
The 2nd walk started in Winkley Square (only I got the starting point and time wrong so missed the beginning. Duh!!).
This time we followed the tramroad to the site of the old basin (now Aldi car park) where coal (mainly) was tipped into barges for onward travel north to Kendal and many points in between.
Much of the route has been covered by UCLAN buildings.
We then traced the canal to its current terminus close to Aqueduct Street (bit of a clue there).
As usual Nigel’s knowledge and his copies of old photographs made it another fascinating morning
Yes, there used to be a canal here going under the bridge
Abandoned railway line going over the canal bridge, painted orange, a UCLAN building behind
Canal bridge used as one of the arches of a railway viaduct
Whittle 4 mile circular
2nd March, we had 11 people on the walk plus me, with only one ‘no show’.
Although we have used the Top Lock car park before without any problems, and not with any sizeable groups since Feb 2020, we will have to change it for next time.
A change of landlord/ tenant and the misuse of the car park by groups of runners etc, has meant big signs going up and a not quite as friendly welcome.
Not all our group actually parked there, so only 4 vehicles in it were from the walkers. We did say to the landlord that the walk was for the morning and that most of us were to call in the pub after, which 6 out of 12 did.
Nigel Hardacre
This is one of Nigel’s most popular walks starting at the top of the Johnsons Hillock flight of locks on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. Then following the old Lancaster Canal to Whittle-le-Woods. At Whittle where the section in water ends, a recreation area has been created featuring some of the old mill grind stones, one of them is behind Nigel in the photograph. Ed
For information about Nigel’s walks please go to the IWA website: https://waterways.org.uk/support/ways-to-get-involved/events
The next one is 12 May “Exploring the Old Lancaster Canal (Part 2) and Walton summit”
Reports of Branch Meetings
January
This was a meeting on Zoom. Back in September we thought that would be preferable to turning out in the cold and dark. With local temperatures of -5oC it turned out to be a wise decision. It also allowed members from Scotland and Cumbria to join us.
Jonathan Mosse, who is IWA’s lead in Scotland, gave us a presentation on the canals of Scotland, an interesting blend of geography, history and politics. Scottish Canals are the equivalent of CRT north of the border. Their attitude to boaters and moorings was depressing and there was the usual shortage of funds for routine maintenance. Although the Scottish government had stumped up large sums for certain projects.
Jonathan spoke to us from his narrowboat on the Union Canal and finished his talk with an update on the work he is doing to live “offgrid”. Gathering comprehensive data on eg the best angle for PV panels.
February
Our branch AGM, as usual the formal business did not take very long. After the break your branch chair gave a presentation on the Stainton Aqueduct repair project and the associated community involvement which was part of the requirements of the Heritage Lottery Fund grant. Most of the slides were from Canal and River Trust so thanks to them for allowing us to use them.
March
Michael Akers gave his talk on “The Bridges that made Preston”. Before bridges were built people crossed the River Ribble at various fords, hard to believe now. The Romans did not bother with a bridge, they crossed the Ribble at Ribchester. Then there were ferries. London Road bridge was the first to be built, in 1302. Like most of the early bridges it fell down and was rebuilt several times.
Currently the oldest bridge is Penwortham Old bridge from 1759, now only used by pedestrians.
Michael illustrated his talk with some old paintings and some very good old photographs by Robert Pateson of Preston, a pioneer of early photography.
Michael leads walks along the river giving the history of the bridges, I plan to go. I’m happy to give him a plug. Ed “The dates agreed for 2024 are 11th July (in the evening), 13th August (also in the evening) and Sunday afternoon, 8th Sept at 2pm. The evening walks are I think 7pm but check the website (details may not be on just yet) where you can book, so far they've always sold out!
We meet by Penwortham Old Bridge, on the Preston side, and take in as many bridges as we can in one and a half to two hours. So far they've always sold out!
Michael”
the
smaller version of the tram road bridge where it used to cross Garden Street in
replacement will be unveiled on 19th May by the Friends changed as this original is historically inaccurate. Only the tram road section from Bamber Bridge to Walton summit went on connection’
Our branch has contributed to the new plaque, we are assured that it will be fixed more securely this time.
Bridging the Ribble has been core to Preston’s development as a market town, a transport hub and a manufacturing centre. This walk along the bank of the river explores the context in which the bridges were constructed and their impact, socially and economically on the area. Each bridge has a fascinating story to tell. This is an opportunity to appreciate and celebrate the construction and enduring legacy of our historic bridges, and to enjoy a walk in good company in a beautiful riverside setting.
To book use the link on the Winkley Square website
www.winckleysquarepreston.org/walks-and-talks/guided-walks/
The intrepid WRGies ventured North to help the Lancaster Canal Trust clear vegetation and top soil from furlongs 2 & 3 of the Northern Reaches. They scraped down to the bottom clay, then laid the waterproof lining.
After 2 days of intermittent sunshine the weather reverted to Cumbrian rain but they carried on regardless.
Accommodation was in Sedgewick village hall, a short minibus ride away.
Not everyone gets to play with the big toys but everyone has to wear the protective equipment.
Do you know what it is yet?
As part of the Stainton Aqueduct repair project 6 interpretation sculptures were commissioned. Only 3 years late these have now been erected although the information panels have yet to be fixed to them.
In addition there are smaller information points nearby.
Stainton aqueduct
represented.
Because they are ‘see-through’, the background can be critical. To photograph them it was sometimes better to take the shot from behind. The design was clearer as a silhouette. Although of course you end up with ‘Waterwitch’ spelt backwards.
They had only just been installed so some of the bases needed tidying.
Canal & River Trust, IWA, Kendal Town Council, Lancs County Council, Lancaster Canal Trust, Lancaster City Council and Westmorland & Furness Council
The Canal and River Trust are busy drawing up plans for improving the towpath from Stainton down to Holme as part of the Towpath Trail. We had some recent good news that some money from the Rural England Prosperity Fund had not been spent so it was allocated to LCRP. All being well that will take the improvements past Holme village.
Towpath improvements on the Northern Reaches are more difficult than you might imagine. Access and storage for plant and materials can be a problem due to the remote location.
The new website is nearly ready and we are going onto Instagram. There are plans for a mural by either schools or youth groups.
On Saturday 31st August there will be a ‘Canalathon’ starting at Crooklands. That is a triathlon but with paddleboarding instead of swimming. An all-day event is planned with ‘waves’ of competitors setting off at intervals, finishing at Westmorland Showground. It’s all part of the community involvement requirements of the funding.
If you have really good eyesight you will spot the Towpath Trail logo on the upper part of the small information board on page 20.
