Draft Derby and Sandiacre Canal Project Report
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A.Executive Summary Key investigation evidence The audience for canal use, both amongst generalist canal towpath users and boat users, is broadening, and is increasing. [National evidence on boatusers, British Waterways Appendix 2.2.; local survey project data App 2.2,3]. The evidence suggests that there is already demand for the added resource of the completed restoration of the Canal. The audience for the Canal, locally and canals generally, consists of locals; regional and national users; international users. Evidence shows that the opening of the `full ring` of the DSC will attract more users, not least from a wider area. Canal use delivers especially the pressing demand for relaxation, and associated health. [local survey data App.2.2] There is evidence of significant opportunity in the use of the canal resource to enable increased access for individuals with disabilities to participate in their value, drawn from several case studies. [App. 2.3, 2.4, 2,5.] There is evidence of significant opportunity in the use of the canal resource for a wide range of educational purposes [App. ] The Derby and Sandiacre Canal offers considerable opportunities to fulfil the several regional and local policy objectives [Appendix 2.1.]. Environmental and access-related regeneration can be ably support through its associated potential for economic and other added-value, delivering across several policy areas that support and prioritise such resources as canals. This means that the Canal resource can deliver opportunities in a joined-up way The DSCT is committed to enhancing the canal audience and in particular its value as a resource for educational and disability support opportunities. Regenerating the full length of the Canal will enable the improved visitor and local population use of the resource. With access-alert measures to undertake the full restoration this will enable even better delivery for individuals and groups with disabilities. Building on the DSCT`s communication networks with local groups, more targeted communication and promotion will further assist its value as a resource for local and wider groups and individuals with disabilities. Opportunities for DSCT and associated groups There are several Opportunities for DSCT and associated groups to deliver increased participation in both audience breadth and depth, and both disability and educational access. These include: Continuing and expanding targeted co-operation with local groups in education and assisting those with disability. 1 Prioritising the development of access improvements and small facility provision Categorising stretches of the canal for different users, including by accessibility Working with local entrepreneurs and appropriate agencies to assist the joined-up development of facilities appropriate to the increasing demand and the quality of the attraction visitors/users most value. Pushing to complete the full restoration of the canal stretch Building on its communication and publicity track record There is still a lot of regeneration opportunity to be undertaken in order to maximise the boatuser potential on the Derby Ring. There is clearly a market for leisure activities to be developed and wide ranging audiences to benefit from the developments General users/towpath Most towpath users are from the local area [1-5 mile distant]. Users tended to be part of a couple, but it was also popular for users to be unaccompanied or with other family members. Most people spent up to half a day at the canal, which constituted up to four hours during any part of the day (see graphs 1, 2 and 3 The age group of respondents was focused around 46 and over, but there was a relatively even spread of users below this age as part of ‘family’ or ‘couple’ groups (see graph 4), The towpath by the canal is used on a weekly or even twice a weekly basis and most people use the canal several times a year (see graph 10). The evidence of Chesterfield Canal Trust [data available from the Chesterfield Canal Trust ] demonstrates the widening participation amongst canal users. The Chesterfield Visitor Centre at Tapton Lock reported rising numbers of general/towpath visitors over the years and between 1998 and 2003 they had received nearly three times as many visitors (see graphs). The more significant months for the Tapton Lock Visitor Centre (TLVC) are from April to July each year, suggesting that spring and summer are more likely to encourage visitors. However there were high numbers reported in December each year suggesting that the Christmas season and events further encourage visitors. Clearly the summer months are key generators of visitors for the Chesterfield Canal, which further illustrates that the D&SCT need to look at means of lengthening the season and building visitor numbers during off-peak times. developed in Access below and detailed in Appendix 2.3.iii. Boating Whilst more boat users are in the over 40 category there is evidence of a widening market. The customer profile for SoarbottomRiverCruise is varied and the company has found that younger people prefer cruises that allow them to visit a number of pubs, older people and children enjoy picnics and a variety of customers for the evening dinner cruises. Half of the people questioned in the sample said they were interested in boating and of this half, two thirds of the people owned their own narrowboat . In addition, 50% of these boat owners had owned their boats over 10 years and the older the person is the more likely they are to own a narrowboat (See graphs 1, 2 and 3). 2 Boating users emphasised the peace and restorative character of the canal stretches, along with modest but available supporting facilities. East Midlands Tourism`s key policy document Tomorrow`s Tourism points to the value of our “wonderful cultural, heritage and countryside attractions”. It argues for a “more integrated promotion of these to enable visitors to enjoy the full range of what Britain has to offer”, a requirement for a more comprehensive and ‘joined-up’ approach to the way facilities and services are promoted and delivered to the consumer. Canal systems are one of these cultural, heritage and countryside attractions, and for the DSC, linked also with city attractions [when the Ring is completed]. The policy statements [App. 2.1] of regional agencies demonstrate the acknowledged value of canals to the region. They are both a cultural and environmental regeneration resource. Areas of policy synergise through the regeneration and greater advertised accessibility of canals. The completion of the Canal Ring will enhance the delivery of a range of these stated policies and these policies support that completion and regeneration. Canals have an opportunity to increase their contribution to enriching the lives of communities. [British Waterways App 2.3] E.Access British Waterways identifies challenges vis a vis inclusion: 1. Asian communities do not see the canals in the same way as it is not apart of their heritage 2. Disabled people have the physical barrier of access inhibiting their enjoyment of the canals 3. Women are less likely to use the canals alone for safety reasons. And also identifies the role of increasing awareness and information to enhance access and inclusion. [British Waterways App 2.3] In the Survey, few individuals with evident physical or mental disabilities were present. Local organisations supporting individuals with disabilities were not involved in general accessibility. However, DSCT has several initiatives with educational and voluntary groups/support agencies for those with disabilities. [App. ] The evidence of Chesterfield Canal Trust [data available from the Chesterfield Canal Trust] demonstrates the enriching and increasing innovations and opportunities available through local canal organisations working with a range of agencies [schools, voluntary support groups, local councils] in making appropriate and excellent use of canal resources for both adding educational value and the access of those with disabilities to an enriching, both adventurous and safe, pleasant environment . [App. ] ] Similarly, in both the DSC and in the comparative example of Chesterfield there is strong evidence of opportunities to use the resource of canals to engage increasing accessibility, supported by good links with local groups and voluntary organisations, using the full opportunities of communication. Rather than be sites of danger canals 3 can be given assisted access. Targeted environmental adjustments to aid accessibility combine with accessibility enhanced through such human networks. Canals can benefit all of the community, from education to enabling people to commute to work, as a means of sustainable transport. It is important to make the canals appeal to ethnic minority communities who do not see the canals as part of their heritage [Chesterfield Canal App.2.2.iii]. The Chesterfield Canal would like to have a floating classroom, which they believe would give school aged children access to the canals in a controlled and safe environment, supervised by teaching staff. Perhaps the experience of taking students from Ivy House Special School [D&SCT] indicates the benefits of targeting school based activities. This could also lead to a floating classroom on the Derby Ring. Young people and Involvement, DSC: The Waterways Recovery Group In summer 2004 the Borrowash section of the D&SCT had a working weekend organised through the WRG [a group coordinating and supporting canal restoration schemes since 1970. The Group provides equipment, expertise, publicity and labour through keen volunteers offering their services from around the country to canal projects in need of restoration assistance. Volunteers can attend a restoration working party in the shape of a ‘Canal Camp’ or over a weekend through the WRG] Young volunteers came to work on the Borrowash Lock Chamber from all over the country. This event was supported through funding from Borrowash, by the D&SC Society and the East Midlands Airport Community Fund. It was attended by the Mayor of Erewash and cover by press and radio.