The River Gipping our vision of the future

The River Gipping plays an conservation and the improvement of its structures and natural history of the important part in the history of special environment will be ensured. countryside through which the Caring for navigation runs. . Returning the river to The current sense of remoteness in some public view, access and use will parts, peace and tranquillity must be • To provide or assist in the provision of your historic greatly enhance appreciation of maintained, but at the same time the flora facilities for recreation or other leisure time and fauna of the river, its banks and environs occupation in the interests of social waterway this waterway as part of our local must be protected, promoted and managed. welfare with the object of improving the heritage. We have created a vision conditions of life for the inhabitants of the which goes beyond the mere The River Gipping Trust is committed to area of benefit without distinction of sex, through Suffolk restoration of a river of 200 years bringing this change to fruition. In its or of political, religious or other opinions. Mission Statement the Objects of the Trust ago. We have a vision which looks are stated as follows: The benefits of the restoration of this forward to the future. waterway are numerous and diverse. By • The restoration, reconstruction, opening up access to the river by way of The present River Gipping (known also as the preservation and maintenance of the improved footpaths, restoring existing Navigation) in parts is sadly River Gipping (Stowmarket Navigation) structures, and improving the water quality, neglected. Structures, some listed, are between Pickerel Bridge Stowmarket and fishing opportunities could be created; and becoming derelict. However in other parts of West End Bridge , and the with a sympathetic and well managed the country, waterways are cherished and conservation of its natural character as a scheme to increase water depth, limited valued as environmental amenities which waterway for the benefit of the public. navigation could be reinstated. provide positive leisure experiences. We believe that this asset is undervalued, and our vision • To advance the education of the public in The River Gipping Trust is committed to will change that, providing the foundation from the history, industrial archaeology and bringing this restoration to fruition, for the which will grow an enhanced appreciation of natural history of the Ipswich and benefit of all those who love the river and the the river and an understanding of the many Stowmarket Navigation, associated Suffolk countryside through which it flows. benefits it can provide. At the same time This is our vision.

2 3 Benefits of the restoration River Gipping

The opportunity to make During the development of the Way many Ecological enhancement improvements along the course of of the footpaths were cleared with gates, Caring for stiles and fingerposts being either replaced A full environmental analysis will be the River Gipping will encourage or repaired, improving access to the river undertaken prior to any major works being wildlife and at the same time provide for walkers. The Gipping Way is clearly undertaken on the river, as a your historic way-marked along its entire route. precursor to a full feasibility study for the a beautiful and natural place to take restoration of navigation. This will identify all waterway exercise and enjoy leisure pursuits. Improved angling facilities existing important flora and fauna habitats that could be positively or adversely To retain water for navigation, weirs will be affected by the restoration and increased Improved access for restored to their original height and use of the waterway. The environmental through Suffolk walkers and cyclists designed to generate as much oxygenation analysis report will be referenced during of the water as possible. The retained water restoration or conservation works to ensure will provide a suitable habitat for coarse fish that existing habitats are improved, The River Gipping Trust supports the that will provide improved angling protected or extended. improvement of the Gipping Way, the long opportunities and thus food for the distance footpath that follows the navigation recovering otter population of the river. towing path from Ipswich to Stowmarket for the use of walkers, and where appropriate cyclists and wheel chair users. Improved boating facilities The Gipping Way was opened in the 1970s, Restoring navigation to the Gipping will following work (assisted by volunteers from the once more make it possible for suitably Inland Waterways Association) to repair banks sized boats to use the river for leisure and install bridges etc. cruising from Ipswich to Stowmarket. Slipways will be provided at strategic A guide book exploring the historic and locations to allow the launching and industrial background of the river and the recovery of canoes, rowing boats, and transport and refreshment facilities trailable craft. available nearby is planned.

4 5 The importance of the River Gipping from the Danes to industrial development to present day

There can be no doubting the Commercial navigation business was wound up at the final Caring for strategic importance of inland meeting of the Trustees in 1934. In 1790 a Board of Trustees was waterways to a community’s appointed to administer the Stowmarket Twentieth century decline your historic development. Glory days may be Navigation and in 1793 the navigation was past, but waterways still have opened. A tonnage charge of 1d per ton There followed many years of neglect, waterway much to offer the modern world per mile was levied for use of the which resulted in the navigation becoming and indeed can be vital in navigation, but there was a minimum impassable. The Ipswich branch of the charge equal to a 35 ton load. A 30-40 through Suffolk sustaining it. Inland Waterways Association started ton horse-drawn lighter completed the restoration work on the River in the 1970s, Enter the Danes journey in about 8 hours. The main assisting with the establishment of The cargoes were manure (which travelled toll Gipping Way, a public footpath from The River Gipping was navigable as far free), gun cotton, corn and hops. Ipswich to Stowmarket which follows the back as 860 AD when the Danes used it to navigation towing path. establish the village of Ratles-Dane. Later, In 1846 the railway arrived and with it a between 1065 and 1095, Caen stone was large decline in water-borne trade. After In 1994 work commenced to restore brought from Normandy, up the Gipping 1932, with no income to meet their Bosmere followed by Creeting and Rat to , then to Bury St maintenance liabilities under the Act that Lock, work that took ten years. The Edmunds to build the Abbey. The river was established the navigation, the trustees continuation of this work is now hoped to still in use into the 1700s in its original state. applied for a Revocation Order. The be undertaken by the trust.

6 7 The scale of the necessary restoration project

Rome was not built in a day. The to the building of the A14 dual carriage way Build a funding partnership River Gipping restoration project is interchange. The lock has been totally lost. A new lock will have to be built in a Identify and approach those members of planned in a series of phases, new location. the Restoration Partnership that are starting in places where activity potential funding sources for any stage of already exists and gradually moving Flood Alleviation the restoration effort. Identify and make initial contacts with other possible sources Caring for out to fill in the gaps and complete Any proposed structures will be designed of funding the work along the River’s course by a hydraulic engineer to ensure that any your historic from Stowmarket to Ipswich. flood risk will be reduced rather than Undertake a full increased. feasibility study waterway The River’s infrastructure The next steps to be taken to move the Once funding partners have been restoration project forward can be broadly identified, a full feasibility study for the through Suffolk All locks where there are sufficient categorised as: restoration will be undertaken. remains still in existence will be restored or reconstructed as far as possible to Create the Restoration their original specification. This would Partnership include the use of masonry and brick lock walls and abutments as appropriate to Make initial contact with all interested the visual appearance of each lock. parties that can be identified and invite Poured concrete in shuttering may be them to join us in a Restoration Partnership used behind all new facing material. Stakeholder buy-in In a number of places navigation structures have been converted into water control Make presentations to all members of the structures by the Environment Agency. At Restoration Partnership such that they these sites we may have to build anew. fully commit to the concept of restoration Part of the navigation was lost at Claydon of the Gipping Navigation

8 9 Goals will only be achieved through partnership and co-operation

The formation of the Trust was lock collapsed, in which case it was • National Farmers Union instigated by the Ipswich branch of unsympathetically rebuilt as a water channel. • other local conservation societies the Inland Waterways Association These structures are of importance to the • anglers associations industrial and archaeological history of the • Inland Waterways Association (IWA) in 2007 in the expectation that Gipping Valley • British Canoe Union more local support would be • rambling associations Caring for forthcoming for a local organisation Forming a restoration • Eastern Development Association than for a branch of a national body. partnership your historic The Ipswich branch of the IWA has Funding will be required for the production of been involved in restoration work on Full restoration of the Ipswich & Stowmarket a full feasibility study, environmental analysis Navigation will require a strategic approach reports, the actual restoration and possible waterway the River Gipping since it was involving all interested parties in a restoration associated projects. Sources could include: formed in 1974. Most of the present partnership. Progress will only be possible on • lottery funding through Suffolk (founder) members of the Trust are such a large and complex project if all the • landfill tax credits members of both organisations. organisations involved are united with • local businesses common aims. With full co-operation any • public and private sources Restoration and work still challenge can be overcome. This Partnership • Inland Waterways Association needing to be done should ideally include: • local authorities • county councils • government grants The Trust is continuing the voluntary work • district and borough councils • European funding started by the Ipswich branch IWA, restoring • The Environment Agency • The Environment Agency and preserving structures (locks, bridges • Natural • wildlife trusts etc) that formed the Ipswich and • parish councils • other interested groups. Stowmarket Navigation. These structures • wildlife trusts were built in the 1790s and abandoned in • water supply companies Join us now the 1930s, since when no maintenance has • Country Landowners Association been carried out, unless the structure has • Council for the Preservation of With your help this vision been adapted as a flood control weir, or a Rural England can become a reality.

10 11 Caring for your historic waterway through Suffolk

If you would like to know more about the activities of the River Gipping Trust, or would like to become a member or offer assistance, please contact:

Secretary River Gipping Trust Ltd 33 Plummers Dell Great Blakenham IPSWICH IP6 0HW [email protected] https://rivergippingtrust.org.uk

The River Gipping Trust Limited is a company limited by guarantee Registered in England No. 6145692 Registered as a Charity No. 1119586

This vision statement was produced with financial assistance from the Inland Waterways Association