Boaters' Update 15 November 2024

Welcome to Boaters’ Update.

Hope you get afloat this weekend,

Damian

P.S. Please remember that in under two weeks (7 to 8.30pm, 26 November) you’re invited to the online National Boater Forum. Book your space on the call (provided through Microsoft Teams) by using the Eventbrite booking link here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1002874192707?aff=oddtdtcreator

Ten-point plan to improve boating

Boaters, and boating, are at the heart of what we do. This is why we regularly survey boaters to find out what we need to improve on. We have listened to what you’ve said and developed a ten-point plan with the help of your boater representatives on our Council (who were elected by boaters). We also had the expert help of other boater volunteers who give up their time as part of our Navigation Advisory Group.

The plan was a leading topic at last week’s Annual Public Meeting (if you missed it live, you can watch a recording on our website). Our plan will prioritise things that will improve navigation and target issues that will make the experience of boaters better. We will do this by:

1. Forming a new boating sub-committee of our board which David Orr CBE, our chair, will lead. It will oversee the implementation of a better boating plan and the general boating issues. Keeping our canals open for navigation will be central to our next ten-year strategy.
2. Fixing all outstanding broken paddles by spring 2026 and set a target from April 2025 to repair any paddle faults arising as soon as possible (but no longer than four weeks).*
3. Targeting more resources on planned preventative maintenance (PPM), prioritising re-greasing and clearing vegetation at locks and swing/lift bridges in the spring and early summer ahead of the busier boating periods.
4. Spending more delivering improved grass-cutting in 2025/26. We will also review where and when we cut grass – ensuring grass is cut at locks and mooring sites and cutting more towpaths to the water's edge, making it easier for boaters.
5. Updating our tree management standards and programmes to increase tree surveys. This will inform more winter tree works and assign higher priority to the clearance of fallen trees blocking navigation and towpaths.
6. Promptly fixing our water, Elsan or pump-out boater facilities if they break.
7. Reviewing refuse collections at our busiest sites to reduce overflowing bins and take measures to help tackle fly-tipping. We'll roll out segregated waste, recycling and food waste collections at our sites in England by summer 2025.
8. Developing a Boater App, that many have requested, to make it easier for boaters to access the online services provided by us when and where they want. For example, you'll be able to report faults and find out what has been reported already.
9. Improving our stoppage notices system, making sure the information for boaters is clear and accurate – adding photos so that boaters can see the cause of the stoppage and what we're doing to resolve it. Our booking system for operated structures and pre-bookable moorings will be updated to make it more customer-friendly and easier for boaters to use.
10. Improving how we communicate with boaters. This Boaters' Update e-bulletin will increasingly focus on the work being done day-to-day around the network to keep it navigable, and we'll increase our social media boating activity. We’ll provide more opportunities for boaters to meet and speak with our colleagues and will publish a 12-month calendar of boater meeting dates.

We will publish a dashboard with specific measures to monitor implementation of the plan by 31 March 2025.

Of course, we’re working day in and day out to care for our canals. Our better boating plan is in addition to our major winter works programme, our annual dredging works, ongoing major reservoir works (see below) and other critical assets work programme.

*If a paddle repair cannot be fixed as it requires a longer stoppage, these may be deferred until the next subsequent works stoppage period.

Working for boaters – highlights

If you’ve been out on the cut over the last couple of weeks you might have noticed that we’ve been mobilising some of the bigger engineering ‘toys’ that are needed to help on with  the winter stoppage programme.

Over the course of the next few months we’ll be working at 159 different sites on some of the more disruptive, but essential, maintenance (and that’s why we do it when it’s less busy albeit much colder and wetter!).

Before highlighting some of these works you may remember that, last month, we reported on the ongoing work at Hollowforth Aqueduct on the Lancaster Canal. Here’s an update:

Labouring on the Lancaster

As you may know, there was a breach on the embankment next to the aqueduct. Since it’s discovery our design team, along with our geotechnical engineers, have worked with local landowners – for land access routes and the protection of livestock – and the Environment Agency – one of its’ rivers runs under the aqueduct – to put together a solid plan to rebuild the embankment and the damaged aqueduct.

We’ve completed ecology, bat and topographical surveys to ensure that the repair protects the unique character of this listed structure. This is alongside building a three-sided dam around the breach site, which enabled controlled navigation between the north and south of the breach for those boats that needed to move. In preparation for the dam, clay was carefully placed in the canal bed, creating a solid foundation.

Silt samples indicated high levels of metal contamination, so the silt had to be removed before boats could pass. Once the dam was in place, a dredger boat passed through, clearing and testing the way for other boats to ensure it was safe.

Since then we’ve been busy with several critical tasks, including extensive repairs to both the embankment and the canal bed at the breach site. In addition, we’re installing sheet piles within the canal and completing essential repairs to the aqueduct apron and wingwall, including installing drainage behind the wingwall to further enhance the long-term stability of the structure.

Alongside these structural repairs, we are also reinstating the towpath and public right of way, as well as restoring third-party land and replanting trees that had to be removed earlier in the project. As part of our broader restoration efforts, we are also removing debris from Barton Brook, which runs beneath the canal. There’s also been an important fish rescue as we drained the canal to continue repairs (after the boat passages).

It continues to be a massive undertaking but we are still on track for the works to be completed by the end of January 2025. 

Mobilised at Marple

Last week our teams responded to a report of a large hole and discovered damage to a culvert at Lock 14 on the Marple Flight of the Peak Forest Canal. To safely investigate and assess the situation, we had to temporarily close Locks 1 to 16 on the Flight to take a closer look at the damage.

The inspection confirmed that we have a failure in the by-wash culvert near Lock 14. To understand the extent of the damage, our teams began excavation work on-site earlier this week to assess the condition of the culvert and determine the necessary repairs.

This more detailed investigation revealed that the culvert has suffered significant damage from tree roots and will need a complete rebuild along a six-metre length. One side of the culvert wall has been completely washed out, and the interior is clogged with tree roots.

Given the damage, our design team is now planning the necessary repairs. As we’re already managing many planned winter repairs across the network, we're not able to confirm a start date for these repairs yet, but we hope to have more details next week. An updated stoppage notice will be issued next Wednesday (20 Nov).

If you're in urgent need to pass through the Marple Flight, please contact our North West Customer Service team at 0303 0404 040.

Winter works wonderland

As mentioned above, we’re carrying our work as part of our winter stoppage programme at 159 different sites. This means that wherever you are on the network there’s a good chance you’ll come across us carrying out carpentry, masonry, ironmongery and a whole host of other professions (many of which I can’t spell!).

Here’s just a couple of examples of the work that has already kicked off:

• On the Stourbridge Canal, Lock 3, Stourton, we’re replacing the top end single and bottom end mitres on the lock gates and also extending the lock ladder and replacing the hoops. Further on from this, at Lock 6, Stourbridge, there’s a top and bottom lock gate replacement underway. We’ll also be doing a full lock ladder rebuild, lock chamber brickwork repairs and wingwall leak repairs.
• On the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, at Locks 75 & 77 on the Wigan Flight, we’re rebuilding a section of wash wall beneath the by-wash outlet – the masonry will be reused so that we maintain the tone and grain of the existing wall to meet heritage standards.

As we progress through the winter stoppage programme we’ll pick out a few to look at in detail to give you a better idea of the lifecycle of a major stoppage.

Working for boaters – in numbers

With over 2,000 miles of canals and rivers it’s nigh on impossible to list all the things we’ve been doing over the last fortnight to keep navigations open (I’m sure you haven’t got a spare couple of days to read the entire list!) but a scan of our stoppage notifications shows that we’ve…

The above list doesn’t include any work conducted purely on towpaths, water management (which there’s always a lot of!), major reservoir projects and so on – it’s just a flavour of what we’ve been doing to help boaters keep moving on the cut!         

The Hill is alive with the sound of an upgrade

Please do forgive the rather laboured title to this article – I hope the good news it contains will ease any irritation!

Last week we announced that we're giving Hill Top Reservoir (Slaithwaite Reservoir) an essential multi-million-pound upgrade to ensure it remains resilient to climate change and continues to meet stringent statutory safety standards.

Situated in the village of Slaithwaite in Huddersfield, and built by renowned canal engineer Benjamin Outram to supply water to the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, the reservoir opened 225 years ago and remains an important water feed to the canal. 

Essential maintenance

As you may know, we look after both the reservoir and Huddersfield Narrow Canal, and have commissioned civil engineering company JN Bentley to undertake the works, to ensure that historic reservoirs like this are meeting present day standards (as required by the 1975 Reservoirs Act).

Essential maintenance and upgrade works are required to strengthen the centuries-old structure against the impacts of climate change and improve the performance of the reservoir by increasing the capacity of the spillway to carry more water and reduce leakage.

Ground investigation works are ongoing until January 2025 to inform the final plans. The public footpath at the top of the reservoir (from Holme Lane to Bank Gate) will remain open at this time.

From spring 2025, the main project is expected to start, with construction work due to begin onsite (subject to the permitted development application being agreed).  Completion is due in autumn 2026.

Vital structures

Sean McGinley, our Yorkshire and North East regional director, said: “Our reservoirs feed our canals, are vital for navigation and maintain water levels along the inland waterways. Their function is proving increasingly important to help us manage water levels during more frequent extreme weather conditions brought about by climate change, with drier summers and wetter winters.

“Originally constructed in the late 18th century, this reservoir, like much of our historic network, requires ongoing maintenance and upgrading to meet present day standards. 

“Our charity is undertaking a significant programme of investment to improve our large reservoirs across the country. This work will secure the long-term future of Hill Top Reservoir as an important resource for the Huddersfield Narrow Canal.”

Keeping you informed

We're working hard to minimise the impact of the project to boaters, and other reservoir and canal users. During the construction phase there will be times when the water levels in the reservoir will be significantly reduced for safety reasons, and this will be carefully managed and monitored. There will also be temporary footpath closures in place. Latest updates will be shared through onsite signage and online.

We're keen to keep boaters, the local community and user groups informed about the project as it develops. We are writing to residents and hosting a drop-in meeting to introduce the project and invite questions on Wednesday 13 November 2024, 2:30-8:00pm at Slaithwaite Community Centre.

The team can be contacted by email: [email protected] or the Freephone information line: 0808 281 4669 (weekdays, excluding bank holidays, 9am – 5pm).

We're undertaking a significant programme of investment across our reservoirs to ensure they stay resilient to climate change and comply with the strict legislation that applies to all large reservoirs. During the last financial year over £27 million was spent on resilience works at 19 of our 71 large reservoirs.

Maintenance, repair and restoration work this weekend

As you’ll know there are times when we need to fix things that unexpectedly break. Of course, you’ll notice that the list below is much longer now that we’re in the winter stoppage season! So, below, you’ll find a list of navigations that have ongoing restrictions that may affect you if you’re planning to get out on the water this weekend:

• Ashton Canal
• Aylesbury Arm (Grand Union Canal)
• Bank Dole Cut
• Bridgwater & Taunton Canal
• Caldon Canal
• Coventry Canal
• Dudley No 1 Canal
• Grand Union Canal
• Huddersfield Narrow Canal
• Kennet & Avon Canal
• Lancaster Canal
• Leeds & Liverpool Canal
• Leicester Line (Grand Union Canal)
• Llangollen Canal
• Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal
• Oxford Canal
• Peak Forest Canal
• Ribble Link
• River Severn
• River Soar
• River Stort
• Rochdale Canal
• Selby Canal
• Sheffield & South Yorkshire Nav
• Shropshire Union Canal
• Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal
• Stourbridge Canal
• Titford Canal
• Trent & Mersey Canal
• Walsall Canal
• Weaver Navigation

When restrictions to navigation happen, we get them up on to our website as soon as we can – always best to have a scan before you set off. You can find out how to get stoppage notification alerts on your smartphone in this article.

If you have any questions about a specific closure, or spot an error in our system, please get in touch.

Tribute to Timothy West

We're deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Timothy West. A star of stage and screen, he had a lifelong passion for boating and canals and shared that passion in support of our charity in parliament and at canal events and openings as well as to millions of viewers through the Great Canal Journeys TV series. His work brought joy and inspired countless people to discover the charm of our canal network.

Richard Parry, our chief exec, comments: “I was delighted to meet Tim several times, as he was an active campaigner for the nation’s canals, always willing to support events.  I recall he once hosted a Canal & River Trust Parliamentary Reception, spoke passionately about his love of canals, and later asked politely if it was ok to go and join his family celebrations as it was his 80th birthday.  He was a dedicated supporter and a compelling advocate for boating who will be sadly missed.”

Our heartfelt condolences go out to his wife, Prunella, and the West family during this difficult time.