NORTH WEST SPRING LOCAL WATERWAY FORUM 2015

NOTES

Lancaster Canal: 4 March 2015 at 18:30 Barton Village Hall | 844 Garstang Rd | Barton, Preston

BWML Update - D Bramhall  Darren provided an update of BWML projects on the Lancaster Canal and Glasson. Q&A Q. Can the moorings on the towpath opp. Galgate marina be re-instated? A. These moorings were removed about ten years ago so that boats in the marina could turn. They will not be re-instated. The new moorings have been created with sufficient turning space so that no further requests for removal of moorings need to be made to CRT.

Q. What is happening with the CRT customer access to Galgate facilities? A. There is an annual fee of £25 for a key to access the services. A new key has not been required for the past three years. However, it is the plan that this will be renewed every year.

Winter Works – Steve Bergquist provided update on winter works: – Milestone Bridge  The Heysham to M6 Link Road is one of 's top priority transport projects. The new road will complete the long awaited connection from the Heysham and peninsula to Junction 34 of the M6, and will be a 4.8km dual carriageway with a footpath and cycle way along the entire route.

 The cost of the overall scheme was estimated at £128 million but this is likely to rise to £150 million.

 Milestone Bridge was given this name as there was a milestone post where the bridge was to be built. This historic stone of heritage importance has been safely removed and will be replaced at the end of the scheme. The bridge is located between the existing bridges of Folley Bridge and Hammerton Hall Bridge.

 The scheme is programmed for completion in summer 2016 although some sections will open before.

Salwick Hall Br 24 & Culvert Repairs  This week, work will take place to replace backfill with poured concrete infill to strengthen the bridge wing walls and arch which will allow the bridge weight limit to be raised to 10 tonnes when completed. Following this, work will take place to mark up and carefully dismantle the South East wing wall and spandrel where most of the cracking and displacement has taken place.

 The towpath diversion is now place around the construction site. Due to the wet conditions this route is very muddy and users should be prepared for this. An alternative dryer route is available via road although this is considerably longer.

 The canal is currently expected to re-open as planned on 13 March 2015.

Paddle Repairs – Update  North West has taken on additional works to ensure as many paddles as possible can be repaired for the new cruising season.

 Total number of paddle defects in North West was 57, of which 34 have been completed to date.

 Works may continue on into April but it is hoped to have the project completed by end April.

Lancaster Canal Service Station Update  Cadley Services (£15,364.12)  Bilsborrow Services (£8,174.24)  Moss Lane Services (£12,832.27) Bilsborrow Before

After

Moss Lane Before

After

Cadley Before

After

Works are of a similar specification at all the sites – external (fascia/soffits/guttering/doors and windows redecoration) and internal redecoration (including repainting, new flooring, UPVC wall cladding), installation of new extractor fan systems, new energy efficient hand driers, new taps/mirrors etc. where required. We have also specified for security lighting to be installed at Moss lane and Skipton in order to hopefully deter some of the fly tipping and vandalism at these sites. At Chapel Lane we have renovated the mess room (which will be used by volunteers) including new flooring, replastering of the walls, new kitchen units and sink, and new lighting. All works will be completed by the end of March 2015. A good news story!

Water Resources  The percentage holding for Killington Reservoir is currently 100% (3558.7 ml).  Closer monitoring of Northern Reaches will take place this year by the customer operations team for Lancaster. Also additional volunteer lock keepers for Glasson will assist in conserving water.  Contractors will attend site twice this summer to carry out weed cutting to Northern Reaches.

General Maintenance We will be introducing three volunteer water control / lock keepers on the Glasson flight to reduce water loss by assisting boaters and ensuring lock gate and paddles are closed.

Pics below of the weed boat working and litter / debris removal works in the Preston / Lancaster areas.

Partnership update - M Macklin North West partnership member, Mike Macklin gave an update of what is happening with the partnership.

Lancaster Focus Project, which has included moorings trial – mixed duration moorings to be rolled out for the summer. 2/3 will be 48 hour moorings and 1/3 will be seven days. This will be clearly marked with new signage.

Have been working with Lancaster City Council with regards to the service facility at Hest Bank. This is quite difficult and not moving forward as we had hoped.

Mike also provided an update on his discussions with regarding the basins in Lancaster City Centre. The University maintain that they do not wish to have moorings in the basin due to anti-social behaviour suffered previously. We are currently attempting to negotiate out of term time / summer only access and this may be chargeable if the University is agreeable. Update to be provided at the next meeting.

Vegetation Kevin Tyson provided an update of vegetation works which have been completed over the winter period.

Day with a boater – C Seaborn A day out with a boater has been organised for the Lancaster Canal during the summer season. Feedback from this will be provided at the next meeting.

Enforcement – J Overum Jill Overum provided an update of enforcement in the North West.

Q&A Q. Are there any plans to do backfilling works as there are a lot of areas that have washed away? A. When we complete new banking protection we are undertaking back-filling works. Otherwise, the works are placed in line with other priorities.

Q. Are you aware of the plans to set up a fracking site using a canal bridge for access in Lea, Preston? A. Yes, more info on this is included in the pre-meeting questions.

Q. Representative for Friends of Carnforth Coke Ovens asked for contacts in Canal & River Trust to speak with regards to their proposals. A. Chantelle Seaborn happy to be the contact for this