It’s time to protect our canals and rivers. It’s time to inspire and excite. It’s time to put our waterways at the heart of everyday life. This is the draft of our manifesto but now we need your thoughts and ideas...
Name and job title
Organisation and address
Data protection*
Manchester and Pennine Waterways Partnership Our canals and rivers are a national The Manchester and Pennine Partnership Vision treasure. Running through, past, over and under the places we live, work and play, We fully support the national vision, We have reflected those differences mission and purpose. We also recognise IN SEPARATE AND SPECIlC VISIONS FOR OUR they are an enduring link to the past that that the canal networks were built for three distinct network areas. These more offers exciting potential for the future. industrial and commercial purposes focused visions respect what has evolved and over time they have been absorbed over time and give us a platform on which and integrated into their particular local TO ENHANCE THE MULTIPLE BENElTS THAT THE As guardian for this precious resource, settings and geography. canals can bring in the future. the Canal & River Trust is committed to a The canals of Manchester, Cheshire and They provide a simple signpost of what the Pennines flow through a diverse we are seeking to achieve and indicate sustainable and evolving canal and river spectrum of localities; from dense major how the canal network can make a major network that is accessible to and cherished urban conurbations, regional towns and contribution to the aims and aspirations villages, through to open countryside of the many other bodies seeking to by all. that varies from tranquil to wild and improve the quality of life of the region. dramatic. As such the impact they have We will use these visions as part of our on the local economy, the landscape, the process for engaging with that wide It’s time to protect our canals and rivers. environment and the quality of life of the variety of regional stakeholders and It’s time to inspire and excite. It’s time people living in the region also varies will seek to work with them to develop in scope and scale depending on the measurable indicators on which we can to put our waterways at the heart of setting through which they flow. judge our joint success. everyday life. Manchester The canals of Greater Manchester will play a recognised, VALUABLE AND INTEGRAL PART OF CITY LIVING n MAKING A SIGNIlCANT contribution to the economy and quality of the life of the city. The Our vision National A sustainable and evolving canal and river network that Cheshire Picture is a national treasure – accessible to and cherished by all. The canals of Cheshire will continue to provide tranquil retreats and flourishing eco-systems whilst enhancing the Our purpose vibrancy and economies of the communities through which To act as guardian for the canals and rivers of they flow. England and Wales – ensuring that history, nature and communities are central to everything we do. Pennines 4HE CANALS OF THE 0ENNINES WILL MAKE AN ON GOING SIGNIlCANT Our mission contribution to the inspirational landscape and industrial To inspire people to connect with our canals and rivers. heritage of the area. They will continue to support flourishing We will do this by: eco-systems whilst enhancing the vibrancy and economies of s "EING PASSIONATE ABOUT WHAT WE DO the communities through which they flow. s %NCOURAGING THOSE WITH AN INTEREST in our work to become part of it s 2EACHING OUT TO THOSE WHO HAVE Our partnership members are volunteers who work very closely yet to discover this national treasure with the executive team. The whole group meets every two s %NSURING OUR lNANCIAL SECURITY MONTHS BUT THEY WORK ON SPECIlC TOPICS AS AND WHEN ITS needed. The Partnership supports The Trust through leadership, guidance, planning and partnership working to champion and enhance our waterways. Our waterways
Key
Ashton Canal Huddersfield Narrow Canal Macclesfield Canal Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal Peak Forest Canal Rochdale Canal Trent & Mersey Canal Other Trust Waterways Sowerby Non-Trust Waterways Coastal Gateway Bridge
Rochdale
Bolton Bury Huddersfield
Sta T unnelndedge Salford Quays
Manchester
Runcorn
Marple
ugsworthin B Anderton Bas Boat Lift
Macclesfield
Northwich Congleton
Kidsgrove Middlewich
Stoke-on-Trent Principles to stand by
Vision and ambition Evidence We aim for the highest common factor In these times of austerity we need rather than lowest common denominator. credible economic evidence for anything We need bold, visionary ideas – ‘good we do, in the language of economics, ENOUGH ISNT GOOD ENOUGH WHAT WOULD growth and enterprise. truly outstanding or genuinely ground- breaking look like? Leverage Sustainable development Waterways are assets to be maintained, discovered and treasured. We must )TS ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY )TS ABOUT lND NEW WAYS OF LEVERAGING RESOURCES economic, social and environmental WHETHER THATS PEOPLE OR MONEY CHANGE )TS ABOUT CONNECTIVITY Stakeholders Waterways are elements in a very much bigger picture and we must replace We must encourage ownership by our vicious circles with virtuous circles. stakeholders, and we must encourage challenges from our economic, social Scope AND ENVIRONMENTAL STAKEHOLDERS )TS ALSO worth keeping in mind that, for successful Geographically we work at every scale, engagement, we should work with the from Manchester and The Pennine GRAIN OF OTHER PEOPLES PRIORITIES 2ING DOWN TO THE SUPER LOCAL SUCH AS helping the local community in Disley, Flexibility Cheshire to improve their towpaths. Our waterways also embrace a whole range This is not about set in our ways or of functions and potential functions – keeping a closed mind – we must be economic assets, cultural spaces, city opportunistic and pragmatic in order cooling corridors, transport infrastructure, to achieve real results on the ground. opportunities for health improvement, “ Imagination tourism destinations and so on… Communications Timescales 7ERE TELLING A STORY OF THE WATERWAYS ITS past, present and future. It goes without is more important We are planning for the next ten years saying that everything we communicate and we recognise the need to think needs to be inspiring and compelling. than knowledge – long term. In some cases, such as climate change adaptation, that could mean looking 200+ years ahead. We knowledge is limited.” also need immediate action and ‘shovel READY PROGRAMMES IN PLACE TO ATTRACT Albert Einstein future funding. We want to ensure that relationships with local authorities work for everyone. We have to find ways to make sure cash-poor local authorities can get involved in our waterways. Help, innovation, cost effectiveness and community benefit are always front of mind – but what else should we consider?
Issues and challenges
Challenging perception, Supplies and improving reception maintenance 4HE 3OUTH 0ENNINE 2ING 302 HAS A other issues, such as towpath condition Water supply to the northern areas is -ANCHESTER 2OCHDALE AND #ALDERDALE reputation for poor reliability; for always inevitably take a back seat. This is a limited – there are far fewer reservoirs An important relationship exists between being closed and boats getting stuck; real, and understandable, source of available to us than when the canals THE AUTHORITIES WHOS CONTRIBUTIONS ARE lack of water; people being attacked dissatisfaction amongst towpath users were originally working and, in some greatly valued and needed, and ourselves in parts of Manchester, or a general and local communities. cases, there are legal arrangements in who make the maintenance choices. A key challenge for the Partnership will @FEAR OF GOING TO THE AREA 4HIS STIGMA To address these issues, we have place with utility companies that cap our be to ensure that the views of these and the fact that parts of the waterways seen it as a key challenge to try and water supply over the year. This means organisations are fairly represented, can be unreliable, keeps boating increase boat numbers in the north that we are very cautious with water, while at the same time addressing any numbers low. of the waterway. The logic for this lies at some point this will be a stopper to challenges to these arrangements as in the fact that more boats creates a increasing boating use. Improving water There are issues around the legacy the authorities struggle with their own greater sense of security, which in turn security has been a key driver for our of maintenance works. During canal lNANCIAL POSITIONS +EY QUESTIONS FOR THIS creates more interest and value from the business plan for the last two years and reopening projects, some works were manifesto include ‘How can we make surrounding communities… and then we expect that to continue but it will be left undone because of limited funds, THESE RELATIONSHIP WORK TO THE BENElT with greater numbers of people using at the expense of other maintenance making structural failures far more OF EVERYONE @(OW CAN WE MAKE SURE THE WATERWAYS THERES INCREASED SECURITY requirements, for example sealing leaks frequent than in other waterways, cash-poor local authorities can get and even more boats and towpath users will take precedence over other repairs. leading to general unreliability. As a INVOLVED AND @(OW CAN WE AS THE #ANAL enjoying the canals. In the last three WHOLE OF THE WATERWAYS ASSETS ARE Local authorities provide funds towards 2IVER 4RUST HELP ALL THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES years, we have invested over £2 million categorised as in bad or poor condition maintenance of the reopened canals IN THE AREA – this is well above the national average just replacing lock gates to ensure their totalling around £1m per year. Those of 17%. And as the focus on keeping operation, but there is still an enormous with long-term maintenance agreements THE 302 CANALS RUNNING TAKES PRIORITY amount to do. are Kirklees, Oldham, Tameside, We need your thoughts and ideas... Manchester
Sitting astride the South Pennine and Cheshire Rings is Manchester where the two rings intersect in the centre of the city. Until relatively recently these urban canals had been regarded as places to avoid. But, with the regeneration of Castlefield and Salford Quays and development in east Manchester associated with the Commonwealth Games, people started to wake up to the benefits a waterside location could offer.
The potential for waterways to play valuable and integral part of city living is now increasingly recognised, and the opportunities for walking and cycling around the city makes them critical to the sustainability agenda. This has resulted in action being taken by public/private/voluntary sector partnerships, not only to improve navigability but also to enhance towpath surfaces, lighting, pedestrian access and security. There is still work to do, for example around the Piccadilly/Dale Street area of the city centre, but MORE AND MORE THERE IS A PERCEPTION THAT THE CITYS CANALS ARE AN ASSET TO those who live and work there and an attraction for visitors.
Greater Manchester has nearly 200km of river and canals running across all ten districts.
All residents of Greater Manchester live within twenty minutes of a waterway and nearly one million people live within a mile of a canal or river. Cheshire
At 97 miles long and with a total of 92 locks the Cheshire Ring takes in parts of the Trent and Mersey Ashton, Peak Forest, Macclesfield and Bridgewater Canals passing through Stretford, Manchester, Ashton-Under- Lyne and Marple then on through Macclesfield, Sandbach, Middlewich, Northwich and south towards Kidsgrove.
Unlike the Pennine waterways, many of the canals of the Cheshire 2ING REMAINED OPEN AND IN USE THROUGHOUT THE TH #ENTURY n AND THOSE THAT DIDNT HAVE BEEN OPEN AGAIN SINCE THE EARLY S 4HEY ARE recognised as a well-established and valued feature of both the town and countryside environment. The ring passes through pleasant agricultural countryside and attractive towns and villages, offering the opportunity for people to explore the canal network and its surrounding areas. For these reasons the WATERWAYS OF THE #HESHIRE 2ING WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE TRANQUIL retreats and flourishing eco-systems whilst enhancing the vibrancy and economies of the communities through which they flow.
The Trent and Mersey canal is often dubbed the M6 of the waterways – with 8,000 boats passing through it every year it is one of the busiest canals in the UK.
Our first ever emergency appeal to repair the breached canal bank at Dutton Hollow near Preston Brook raised almost £25,000 in donations from the community. South Pennine Ring
With a total of 198 locks and stretching for 70 miles the South Pennine Ring takes in the Rochdale, Huddersfield Narrow and Ashton Canals. It passes through Uppermill, Stalybridge Ashton-Under-Lyne, Manchester, Failsworth and Littleborough and then continues on through Todmorden, Hebden Bridge, Sowerby Bridge and Huddersfield.
4HE 2OCHDALE #ANAL WAS OPENED IN AND WAS THE lRST TRANS 0ENNINE WATERWAY THE (UDDERSlELD .ARROW #ANAL FOLLOWED IN 4HE CANALS are testament to the engineering prowess of the industrial age – both WERE BUILT TO CARRY GOODS THROUGH A DIFlCULT LANDSCAPE "UT DURING THE )NDUSTRIAL 2EVOLUTION THEY BOTH STRUGGLED TO COMPETE WITH THE RAILWAYS AND WERE EVENTUALLY CLOSED TO COMMERCIAL TRAFlC IN THE MID TH #ENTURY n THE (UDDERSlELD .ARROW #ANAL IN THE 2OCHDALE #ANAL IN Happily, both canals were re-opened at the start of the 21st Century. 4ODAY THE (UDDERSlELD .ARROW AND 2OCHDALE #ANALS ARE EXCELLENT gateways to the stunning scenery and fascinating heritage of the South Pennines. Travelling along both canals is a challenging task. The steep Pennine gradients that need to be tackled mean that both canals are @HEAVILY LOCKED WITH ON THE 2OCHDALE AND ON THE (UDDERSlELD .ARROW n LEADING TO 4HE 3OUTH 0ENNINE 2ING BEING CONSIDERED BY MANY AS THE @%VEREST OF THE CANALS
Standedge tunnel is the longest, highest, deepest canal tunnel in the UK.
The Rochdale Canal and Huddersfield Narrow were lost in the 40s and 50s when they closed, they reopened at the start of the 21st Century thanks to significant investment. We need your thoughts and ideas... Case Study: Calder Valley OWLs
OWLs Observers Waterway Lengths OWLs are also encouraged to maintain is based on a traditional country role an inventory of their length, recording of parish Lengthsman, whereby a local structures, areas and setts that would resident volunteered to look after his/ BENElT FROM SOME ATTENTION 4HESE her parish, keeping any eye on things, inventories can then be used to build a doing odd maintenance jobs, reporting volunteer activity plan for an adoption back issues to the local council for group or work party sometime in the action as well as ideas for improvement. immediate future. /VER A KM STRETCH OF THE 2OCHDALE The OWLs are also a great example #ANAL FROM 3OWERBY "RIDGE TO 7ALSDEN of the strength of close working individual community members – some partnerships. In this scheme Calderdale regular canal visitors and some boaters Council, local interest groups – have been assigned a length. COORDINATED THROUGH THE ,INEAR 0ARK 'ROUP #ANAL 2IVER 4RUST #ALDERDALE As part of their normal visit to the canal Countryside Services, local volunteer It’s about OWLs are encouraged to look out for groups and individual residents are all issues or incidents on the canal and contributing to its success. REPORT lNDINGS #ANAL ISSUES HANDLED our people by The Trust include flooding issues, 4HE BENElTS TO US ARE IMMENSE n WE tree and overhanging branches, debris can be much more responsive to canal hazards in canal, vandalism, obvious maintenance and safety issues, build repairs needed to towpath, fences, closer relationships with communities, People make our canals and community and economic interests, WALLS LOCKS 'ENERAL ISSUES LIKE GRAFlTI enhance our understanding of a wider rivers. They are the families, AND ITS TIME WE HARNESSED THIS FURTHER and litter/fly tipping are handled by customer base. Alongside these, there visitors, investors, students, – prompting even more ownership – to Calderdale Customer First. ARE THE COST BENElTS AND THE OPPORTUNITY interest groups and communities make them even more central to the day to attract new members to our cause. that bring life to waterways. to day lives of our waterways. Millions of people use them in We also need to think about the people all kinds of different ways. But who visit the adjoining countryside and there are millions more that heritage attractions, woodlands, Areas of can’t or don’t. It’s time to .ATURAL "EAUTY !/." 3ITES OF 3PECIAL increase accessibility, to inspire 3CIENTIlC )NTEREST 333) .ATIONAL 4RUST more people, to extend the sites, national trails, cycle routes and Every individual should be entitled to benefits and support a thriving so on… Our waterways can become a create special memories on and around our community on our waterways. focus, the associated impacts and can stretch beyond their banks. waterway. For those that want to be hands The Manchester and Pennine "UT TO DO THIS EFFECTIVELY WE WILL NEED TO on we will develop their skills to benefit us 7ATERWAYS ENJOYED NEARLY DAYS OF DEVELOP PEOPLES SKILLS AND OUR SUPPORT and the next generation of people, flora and volunteering in 2012 and this number is to ensure we are making the most of fauna. For the cyclists, runners, walkers, growing. Traditionally, they get involved each and every one of our volunteers. in cleaning and maintenance of our We need to encourage ownership and dog lovers, and boaters we will create an waterways, and often take on tasks such pride in the waterways. And we need to environment they want to cherish and as painting benches and weeding just do sustain this interest for the long term. to improve the general look of the area. After all, people are seen by many as our return to, time and time again. These volunteers are driven by social, greatest resource. Tourism and leisure. An extra income stream…
"OATERS CYCLISTS VISITORSx EVERYONE WHO VISITS our waterways contributes to the local economy.
Calderdale £26,605,000 Rochdale £9,829,000 Manchester £9,507,000 Kirklees £23,150,000 Tameside £4,515,000 Oldham £11,334,000 Total direct spend £84,940,000
2EF 4OURISM AND LEISURE EXPENDITURE ATTRIBUTED TO THE 2OCHDALE AND (UDDERSlELD .ARROW #ANALS BY BOATERS CYCLISTS AND VISITORS SHOWN It’s about BY ,OCAL !UTHORITY &IGURES FROM *ACOBS 2EPORT our economy
You can’t talk about our companies; providing a desirable and waterways without talking unique landscape for development about the economy, the very and, in turn, increasing property value; reason the canals exist was becoming the back drop to retail, tourism to connect cities, business, and cultural events; or even reducing goods and markets. Today, PRESSURE ON THE .(3 THROUGH HEALTH our waterways continue to be and recreation opportunities… our integral to sustainable growth, waterways and economy are undeniably and intrinsically linked. even though their original role for trade may have waned. "UT OUR WATERWAYS ARE UNDERVALUED Our waterways should be, without question, Yes, plenty of people pay lip service a fully integrated and mainstream part of Those areas with a thriving canal to their importance but there is so NETWORK PROSPER 7HETHER ITS DIRECTLY much more we could reap if we took economic planning and development. supporting businesses in boat repair, advantage of the opportunities. And with sales and maintenance; providing a our canals and rivers moving to charity source of water and drainage to utility status in 2012, we all have a stake in the economic future of our waterways. It’s about In surveys, heritage our heritage was most frequently identified as being important to people. Understanding our canal There are projects that prove it is heritage is all about possible. The restoration of the Heritage interacts understanding innovation. (UDDERSlELD .ARROW WAS A PROJECT that took over thirty years to conceive well with every group Rooted in a time when industry and execute, combining challenging was king, our canals became engineering, funding and boating of canal users, it is our lifeblood: the connections, conditions in what could have been seldom a controversial vessels and vehicles to trade a perfect storm. Today, it stands as a testament to what can be achieved and and succeed. an inspiration for new design. Already subject and often we have pioneered Heritage Partnership And what of now? We pioneered !GREEMENTS (0! WHICH ARE SET TO BE brings people together. industrialism then and we can pioneer rolled out nationally in the Growth and again. Our cities, towns and countryside )NFRASTRUCTURE "ILL TO HELP OTHER OWNERS are brimming over with creative, of large heritage rich estates. These innovative and hard working people HPAs streamline the red tape around – with talented engineers, tireless listed building, scheduled monuments volunteers, canny ideas and working and other non-planning statutory with our partners, together we can consents to make restoration and protect our waterways. And through management more straightforward. heritage we will share more than just )TS OUR TIME TO FOCUS ON OUR PRECIOUS our past experiences, we will be able to LEGACY ITS A DIFFERENT IN SO MANY WAYS develop a more integrated approach to but we are loyal to what has been and environmental management. everything we can be.
We are the proud custodians of our canals, they are here for us today for our children and grandchildren to inherit in the future. In recent history we nearly lost our canals and we will never forget that. We will fight and we will shout and we will use our heritage as our driving force for everyone’s future. It’s about our The Manchester and built environment... Pennine Waterways can boast 483 listed
In the past, too many The Manchester and Pennine Waterways structures and three developments have ignored have plenty of built environment assets the special nature of waterside n NOT LEAST LISTED STRUCTURES AT THE scheduled ancient environments, turned their last count. We will champion and promote monuments. backs to the canals. Developers, all of our unique historic assets; assets architects, local authorities developed over more than two hundred and others continue to need years. In doing so, we also recognise the encouragement to create need for creativity and quality in their conservation and adaptation. The majority of stimulating waterfront buildings, distinctive watersides And how will we do this? The Canal & our canals are in and vibrant waterspaces. 2IVER 4RUST IS A DEVELOPER WORKING LARGELY through joint ventures with carefully conservation areas. SELECTED DEVELOPERS )TS ALSO A CHARITY AND takes its responsibilities for the careful management of its assets very seriously. We will look to encourage partnership The Canal & River developments that maximise the value of the assets and contribute positively Trust is the third to the quality of the built and natural largest owner of environment in which they are located. listed structures in the UK after Church of England and National Trust
We recognise the need for creativity and quality in conservation and adaptation. We will look to encourage partnership developments that maximise the value of the assets and contribute positively to the quality of the built and natural environment in which they are located. Case Study: Ancoats Adoption scheme
Ancoats Canal Adoption project has been running for over a year, led by a group of enthusiastic local professional residents IN #ENTRAL -ANCHESTER 4HEYVE CREATED AN AUDIO INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE TRAIL BEEN INVOLVED WITH THE 2OCHDALE #ANAL &ESTIVAL litter picking, weeding, lock painting, wildlife and plant surveys AND GUIDED WALKS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE #ANAL 2IVER 4RUST All the activity is funded by a grant from the local ward council. ,OCAL MAJOR BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS .#0 "RUNTWOOD and Deloitte have also been encouraged and engaged in ‘on CANAL ACTIVITY DAYS INCLUDING STUDENTS OVER TWO WEEKENDS as part of the national annual challenge network. 7ITH THE HELP OF -ANCHESTER "UILDING #OLLEGE AND UNDER guidance from The Trust the group has made improvements to some of the heritage aspects of bridges, horse tunnels and re-laying towpath setts. A recent development is an INITIATIVE IN CONJUNCTION WITH -%2#) A LOCAL SUSTAINABILITY AND CONSERVATION CHARITY AND OTHER INTEREST GROUPS TO DEVELOP @PICK AND TAKE VEGETABLE AND FRUIT GARDENS FOR THE LOCAL COMMUNITY drawing on the success of Incredible Edibles Todmordon in the Calder Valley . Anocats is also becoming a star of the small screen – the ""# FEATURED THE GROUP AS PART OF THE #ANAL 2IVER 4RUST LAUNCH AND THE AREA WAS USED A lLMING LOCATION FOR A It’s about our VOLUNTEER LOCK KEEPER CAMPAIGN )TS ALSO EMBRACING THE DIGITAL world with social media and websites being used extensively communities to communicate with the community. As we look to the future, IT ALL LOOKS ROSY AS THE NEW @FREE GOVERNMENT BACKED PRIMARY school opens in September 2013 alongside the canal.
Local community groups, canal festivals, walking and cycling tours, related societies, interest groups, canal adoption, conservation projects local residents, countryside skills – that our target demographic is groups, national partners, sector understandably wide and varied, just specific funding… you name like the communities who live, work them, we want to engage them and play along our waterways. on the future of our waterways. We will also encourage positive The waterway is part of the community. guerrilla activities and ad hoc events We want every person in every community We are committed to developing – communities will help lead change to enjoy the canal and play a part in what community schemes for social economic on our waterways and everyone who good; schemes where the canal and comes into contact with the waterway happens here. Our ultimate aim is to make its surrounding area are the focus for should feel like they own it because everyone in the community feel a sense of ACTIVITIES !ND THERES A WHOLE RANGE with ownership there comes a special ownership and pride in our waterway. of potential activities on offer – dry sense of pride and an urge to protect. stone walling, willow fencing, canal Manchester and It’s about our Pennine has: natural environment 6
There is an undeniable wealth of s /UR CANALS ARE THE - AND - FOR Sites of Special nature in and around our canals our wildlife – animals such as bats Scientific Interest and rivers. But its existence AND KINGlSHERS USE CANALS AND RIVERS cannot be taken for granted. for foraging and commuting, these (SSSI) It’s time to turn our attention to excellent habitat corridors bypass the protecting our wildlife, flora and perils of roads and provide vital links in fauna, to safeguard the water an increasingly fragmented countryside. quality and supply and be part of s )F BATS HAD A CHOICE AND MONEY WE 3 adapting and mitigating against have no doubt they would be a monthly the effects of climate change. DONATOR TO THE #ANAL 2IVER 4RUST Special Area of "UT ITS NOT JUST ABOUT PLANTS AND ANIMALS Conservation (SAC) So why is the waterway We are all dependent on the ecosystem habitat important? services of the natural environment for food, materials, clean air and water and s /UR WATERWAYS PROVIDE AN IMPORTANT recreation – and waterways can provide 2 habitat to support a wide variety of all of these. plants and animals, some of which are Our waterways could play a pivotal role Special Protection quite rare with grandiose names such in climate change adaptation. We could Areas (SPA) as Luronium natans and some are look at extending the canal network to cute such as otters and water voles. boost water supply, act as a transport link All are important. or even help prevent flooding. We need s .ATIONAL AND %UROPEAN DESIGNATIONS to think beyond the everyday, extend our demonstrate the environmental ambitions and integrate our waterways SIGNIlCANCE OF THE CANAL even further into environmental planning.
Our waterways could play a pivotal role in climate change adaptation. We could look at A home for rare species extending the canal network to boost water supply, act as a transport link or even help 4HE 2OCHDALE #ANAL THE (UDDERSlELD .ARROW #ANAL the Ashton Canal, the lower Peak Forest Canal and prevent flooding. We need to think beyond "RUNCLOUGH 2ESERVOIR PROVIDE THE PERFECT HOME FOR the everyday, extend our ambitions and the rare aquatic plant Floating Water Plantain, also known by its Latin name Luronium natans. So rare integrate our waterways even further into is this plant throughout Europe it is protected under environmental planning. European legislation. Contemporary Arts Initiative
We are aiming for something called a ‘Contemporary !RTS )NITIATIVE WHICH YOU CAN READ MORE ABOUT ONLINE www.canalrivertrust.org.uk This initiative focuses on widening the appeal of waterways and getting people directly involved in artistic and cultural projects. Part of the work is about improving practical aspects like lighting, landscaping and design to make places more INVITING BUT ITS ALSO ABOUT GENUINE ANIMATION OF THE PLACE AND making things happen on our waterways like arts, theatre, lLM MEDIA AND WRITING THAT ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO COME AND experience something different and unexpected – increasing visitors and awareness of everything our waterways can offer. Partnership is obviously critical to this initiative and through new links to the Art Council England we will be developing new touring partnerships; linking to sustainable transport and public art opportunities; and getting involved in other ORGANISATIONS STRATEGIC VISIONS This will work towards expanding funding and resourcing It’s about using an established funding plan or levy and a distinct our culture fundraising channel.
A priority of the national Arts The living culture of canals should look Council England Memorandum back and celebrate the ingenuity of a of Agreement with the Canal common industrial heritage, but also & River Trust is to “Enable a act as metaphor and creative catalyst cultural engagement programme for regeneration – and celebration – of across the waterways network, both the myriad of communities and beginning with agreed pilot infrastructure that connect along the projects. This is intended to canals and their green corridors. establish and develop a mutually The present situation is a cultural beneficial way of working for the WATERSHED THE PRECEDENT HAS BEEN partners that will enable them to set by how arts and culture has been The creative potential is that arts and nurture a productive long-term EMBRACED BY PREVIOUS "RITISH 7ATERWAYS culture can provide even greater service to relationship.” projects that placed arts and crafts at the the canals and its hybrid communities, and heart of engaging diverse communities. vice versa. We need to raise our ambition This national aim is clearly the starting Arts and culture can provide even greater point for anything we do at a more local service to canals, hybrid communities, and and put the role and benefit of the arts at an LEVEL n ITS ALL ABOUT DEVELOPING MUTUALITY vice versa. We need to raise our ambition even greater level than before, to help create USING ARTS AND CULTURE TO BENElT BOTH AND PUT THE ROLE AND BENElT OF THE ARTS the historic waterways, their local users at an even greater level than before, to a legacy of creative empathy between real and communities and wider physical and help create a legacy of creative empathy people and real places. social surroundings. between real people and real places. Focus on: Water supply
Climate change poses a major challenge with increasing droughts and floods anticipated across the Manchester and Pennine area. Canals borrow water from all the rivers and streams they can, and drain the land they pass below, but where canals cross watersheds they need to catch water in their own reservoirs. What makes our waterways particularly vulnerable was the loss of reservoirs to two of our canals during the decades of closure. We are now developing smart ways of improving resilience to drought and flooding, and working out what investment will be needed to achieve national standards. Flooding and extreme weather cost over £2.1m on the BREACHED BANK AT $UTTON (OLLOW NEAR 0RESTON "ROOK ALONE The canal breach was bigger than 12 double decker buses and funding the repair meant lots of other planned work could not be done.
It’s about our infrastructure...
Looking at a tranquil canal, Except, not quite endless. Three- so seemingly natural, it’s easy quarters of those locks are on canals to forget that everything you THAT WERE CLOSED FOR ROUGHLY THE see – the locks, bridges, even second half of the last century. The re- the canal itself – was built by openers worked wonders, but our assets hand over 200 years ago. We are are still not nearly in as good condition fiercely committed to looking as on other waterways. We are determined to make the repair after these historic structures, !LL THIS LEADS TO REAL DIFlCULTIES IN TERMS and maintenance of our infrastructure as which often must be repaired of reliability for people who want to sustainable and efficient as possible. The rather than replaced. In fact, of use the canals. We are determined to the 267 locks on the Manchester make the repair and maintenance of effects of climate change means we will need and Pennine Waterway, seven our infrastructure as sustainable and ever smarter ways of improving resilience are new; the rest are endlessly EFlCIENT AS POSSIBLE NOW IS THE TIME TO of our waterway to drought and flooding. repaired originals. evaluate what needs to be done and HOW WERE GOING TO DO IT We need your thoughts and ideas... What’s next? You tell us! If you would prefer to email us your thoughts you can send them to [email protected]
Please note our Manifesto is currently in draft format therefore the images you see in this document are sample images only. We are commissioning photography for the final document that will represent our waterway.
"Y SUBMITTING THIS WORKBOOK YOU WILL BE INDICATING YOUR CONSENT TO RECEIVING THE lNAL MANIFESTO DOCUMENT AND RELEVANT MESSAGES FROM #ANAL 2IVER 4RUST RELATING TO THEIR ACTIVITY 0HOTOGRAPHY BY *ILL *ENNINGS %CONOMY AND -ANCHESTER IMAGES supplied by Marketing Manchester. Culture and Principles images supplied by CityCo. ¹ #ANAL 2IVER 4RUST IS A CHARITABLE COMPANY LIMITED BY guarantee registered in England & Wales with company number AND CHARITY NUMBER *ANUARY 6