Rural Development Programme for /LEADER East Riding of and North Yorkshire (Ryedale District and Scarborough Borough)

LEADER Local Action Group Coast, Wolds, Wetlands & Waterways

Making best use of the waterways

FINAL RESEARCH REPORT

FOR THE LEADER Local Action Group

AND THE CWWW Waterways Partnership

Prepared by Simon Ryder Associates

March 2010

1 CWWW Waterways Research Report

1. Introduction

The RDPE LEADER Coast, Wolds, Wetlands and Waterways (CWWW) programme is a rural regeneration programme for the CWWW area, covering the rural parts of East Yorkshire and the Ryedale District and Scarborough Boroughs of North Yorkshire, funded by the EU via the regional development agency, Yorkshire Forward. The overall purpose of the LEADER CWWW programme is ‘to utilise the unrealised potential of the area’s heritage and culture to stimulate local vibrancy, encourage enhanced pride in place and thereby improve the area’s economic performance and social sustainability’.

Developing the waterways is a core strand of the CWWW LEADER Programme. During 2009/10, the LEADER CWWW programme has therefore funded consultants to work with statutory, voluntary and community agencies to research the waterways within the CWWW area, and to establish the foundations for an effective partnership between the various interests. By ‘developing a strategic approach to the restoration and development of the (LEADER) Area’s inland waterways’ (CWWW strategy: programmes of activity p.5) the new partnership will help to ‘develop facilities and networks of activity that create a focus and enable understanding and connectivity to local heritage and landscape’.

This Research Report summarises the results of the research, covering relevant national organisations and policies; regional and local regeneration and funding organisations; the various CWWW waterways including the characteristics which distinguish the local waterways from those of the national network; identification of waterways‐related interests; and examples of waterways partnerships established elsewhere n England. The report concludes with a brief summary of further actions undertaken or under way following this research phase of work.

2. Scope of the Research

For the purposes of this study the term ‘inland waterway’ is being used in a very broad sense, including all non‐tidal (and some tidal) water courses in the CWWW area. This therefore includes natural waters never used for navigation e.g. ; self‐contained waters such as Mere; and canals built for freight transport but no longer navigable e.g. canal. This broad usage was chosen in order to emphasise the focus of the study within the LEADER programme – how the waterways are used by and can benefit the rural communities in the CWWW area. In addition, a narrower definition which only focused on canal‐boats and tourism would not be relevant, because of the nature of the waterways in the area.

The significance of this scope should not be under‐estimated. Most commonly, the term ‘inland waterways’ refers to the national network of navigable canals: this

2 includes the focus of Government policy and the vast majority of guides (e.g. Nicholson/Collins Inland Waterways Map of Great Britain, described as ‘a comprehensive cruise‐planning map of Britain’s inland waterways’). See Appendix 1 for a map of the national waterways network.

Connections to the National Network While the national network of waterways built in the 18th and 19th centuries for the transport of freight is widespread, its northern‐most reaches within England are the Leeds‐Liverpool and the Ripon canals. The main links of the CWWW waterways to the national network (including continued use for freight purposes) are via the Aire & Calder canal and the Rivers Aire and Ouse into . The River Derwent and canal are at the very end of the national network. The other main waterways in the CWWW area, the Navigation/ and the , are linked to the national network only via the River . All the other CWWW waterways are unconnected to the national network.

Three major considerations result from these differences between the local and the national. Firstly, the ownership of the CWWW waterways, the variety of usage, and the various rights of usage are more complex than in other parts of the country. Secondly, the immediate relevance of national research & national policies to the local area is limited. Finally, as national policy directs the priorities for public sector funding, there are significant challenges for local partners in influencing national organisations and policies, as well as securing funds within national and regional competitive bidding.

3. National Organisations, National Policies and National Waterways Research

This section provides brief descriptions of the roles of various national organisations with responsibilities for the waterways. In most cases, these responsibilities apply to the national network (as described above), and not to the majority of waterways in the CWWW area. However, it is these organisations that influence and determine national policies, which then have a bearing on the future of the CWWW waterways, so it important to provide this national context in support of the planned waterways development in the CWWW area. Web links for all of the organisations referred to in this section of the research report are listed in Appendix 2.

a) Defra Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) is the Government’s lead department for the waterways, including sponsoring and overseeing the navigation functions of the Environment Agency. b) Waterways for Everyone The Government, through Defra, is currently consulting on a major update of its policies regarding the waterways. The consultation document is called ‘Waterways for Everyone’, and the consultation is open until 26th March 2010. (http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/waterways/index.htm)

3 This follows the publication in 2000 of 'Waterways for Tomorrow', which was the first charter for inland waterways in more than 30 years.

While the Government’s primary emphasis is on ‘navigable or potentially navigable canals and rivers’, the document’s Introduction emphasises that “Government recognises the multi‐functional role of waterways and the need to maintain and improve the quality of the waterway resource and infrastructure if the public benefits delivered are to be maintained and grown. Government Departments therefore encourage regional and local delivery bodies and stakeholders to take account of this in a holistic way through considering the waterways’ potential contribution in regional strategies, Local Development Frameworks, Local Transport Plans, green infrastructure initiatives etc.”.

The Government’s support for the role of the waterways is indicated by some of the questions posed in this document: - Do you agree that it is important for regional development bodies and local authorities to work closely with those responsible for managing the Inland Waterways to ensure that the potential benefits in respect of place making and shaping are maximised? - What more can navigation authorities do to encourage local authorities to consider using waterways to improve the quality of life of their local communities? - What do you think the barriers are to local authorities taking more interest in waterways in respect of place making? - Do you agree that inland waterways, including their paths and surrounding environments provide an important resource for outdoor recreation, sport and improving public well being? - How can we best encourage a common purpose between different users of the waterways? c) British Waterways British Waterways (BW) is responsible for the 80% of the canal and rivers in England, Scotland and Wales which are in public ownership. BW is “a public corporation responsible to the UK Government and Scottish Government to maintain and manage the waterways so that they fulfil their full economic, social and environmental & heritage potential”. BW believes that the future of the waterways will be better served if BW’s waterway network is moved out of direct state control and into a new 'third sector' or trust organisation within the next 10 years: see BW’s ‘Twenty Twenty: A Vision for the Future of our Canals and Rivers’ (a website link is provided in Appendix 2).

The prospect of a cut of over 16% in BW’s grant‐in‐aid from the Government for 2010/11 is also causing grave concern (see IWA below). d) Environment Agency The Environment Agency is concerned mainly with rivers, flooding, and pollution. It covers England and Wales, and is a Non‐Departmental Public Body in England and an

4 Assembly Government Sponsored Body of the Welsh Assembly Government. The Environment Agency is the principal flood risk management operating authority. It has the power (but not the legal obligation) to manage flood risk from designated main rivers and the sea. These functions in relation to other rivers (defined as ordinary watercourses) in England and Wales are undertaken by Local Authorities or Internal Drainage Boards.

EA are also concerned with over‐abstraction of water leading to drought conditions, through their Catchment Abstraction Management Strategies (CAMS). Given that several of the watercourses in the CWWW area are reliant on the chalk aquifer of the Wolds, over‐abstraction should not be overlooked and could be as big an issue as flooding in future years. e) IWAC The Inland Waterways Advisory Council (IWAC) is an independent statutory body created to advise Government, navigation authorities and other interested persons on matters it considers appropriate that are relevant to Britain's inland waterways. IWAC’s Government sponsoring department is Defra. IWAC (and its predecessor IWAAC) has produced a number of valuable studies of the waterways over the past 14 years, covering such aspects as rural regeneration, social inclusion and exclusion, climate change and restoration priorities Current IWAC research includes a study of volunteering, and a study of ‘making more use of waterways paths and their surrounding corridors’.

f) Association of Inland Navigation Authorities (AINA) AINA was formed in 1996 with strong encouragement from government to provide, for the first time ever, a single voice on waterway management issues. The broad purpose of AINA is to facilitate the management and development of the inland waterways as an economic, environmental, recreational and social resource.

AINA members are drawn from the public, private and voluntary/charitable sectors. They include the British Waterways and the Environment Agency, in addition to the Broads Authority, other national park authorities, local government authorities, private canal companies, internal drainage boards, and a variety of public and charitable trusts. Most AINA members are defined as navigation authorities by their own Acts of Parliament which regulate the operation of their waterways. Others, such as local government authorities, have inherited the status of navigation authority through a variety of statutes. g) Inland Waterways Association(IWA) and Waterways Recovery Group The IWA is the national campaigning body for British canals, with both individual and corporate membership. IWA has launched its Save Our System 2010 (SOS 2010) campaign in response to the proposed cuts in BW funding, and fears that similar cuts will be imposed on the Environment Agency.

The is a subsidiary limited company of the IWA, which organises volunteers to help restore the country’s waterways.

5 h) Waterways Trust The Waterways Trust is a national charity which works with others to promote greater public enjoyment of our inland waterways. Its museums at Gloucester, Ellesmere Port and Stoke Bruerne house the inland waterways collection. The Waterways Trust operates various projects around the country and also operates a small grants scheme.

It collaborates with the British Urban Regeneration Association (BURA) in organising the annual Waterways Renaissance Awards. In 2010 these awards will include a new category for flood risk management.

i) Department for Transport Transport and freight aspects of the waterways are administered by port and harbour authorities e.g. Associated British Ports for Goole, and overseen by the Department for Transport.

4. Other National Organisations with Interest in Waterways

Section 3 above focused on those organisations with either statutory responsibilities for some aspect of the waterways or which have an exclusive interest in the waterways. There are many other organisations with interests in the waterways at national, regional and local levels. As the organisations listed in Section 3 focus mainly on the national network of navigable waterways, the relevance of the organisations noted here in Section 4 is greater for the CWWW area than for many other parts of the country, because here the waterways include both navigable and non‐navigable stretches of water.

a) Natural England Natural England was created in 2006 from a merger of English Nature, parts of the Rural Development Service and the Countryside Agency. While English Nature was responsible for conservation, Natural England has a wider remit “whose purpose is to protect and improve England’s natural environment and encourage people to enjoy and get involved in their surroundings”.

b) English Heritage English Heritage is the Government's statutory adviser on the historic environment. Officially known as the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England, English Heritage is an Executive Non‐departmental Public Body sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). English Heritage exists to protect and promote England's historic environment and ensure that its past is researched and understood. This includes responsibilities for making recommendations for the listing of buildings, and providing guidance on the management of ancient monuments (which include features of a number of waterways within the CWWW area).

6 c) Government Departments  Planning and regeneration are the responsibility of the Department for Communities and Local Government  Heritage, tourism and sport fall under the remit of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport d) Royal Society for the Protection of Birds The RSPB works to protect and conserve wild birds and their habitats through a wide range of activities, including the management of 200 nature reserves. e) The Ramblers Association The Ramblers is a charity which works to promote walking and to improve conditions for all walkers. “We are dedicated to working both for better quality walking environments and to making walking more accessible to all.”

f) The Angling Trust The Angling Trust is the new, single organisation to represent all game, coarse and sea anglers and angling in England.

Activities include the Angling Development Board (ADB), which is the development arm of Angling Trust. It is supported by Sport England, the Environment Agency, British Waterways and Sports Coach UK. Working with key partners, the ADB aims to establish an infrastructure to develop the sport of angling within England. This includes working alongside national, regional and local angling and non‐angling organisations.

g) Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts RSWT is a voluntary organisation with 47 local Wildlife Trusts and 791,000 individual members. The vision of The Wildlife Trusts is “an environment rich in wildlife for everyone”, and the mission of The Wildlife Trusts is to “rebuild biodiversity and engage people with their environment”

h) Get Hooked on Fishing A charity founded in Durham, now with projects around he UK, including one based in Hull. The Get Hooked on Fishing website states: "Our aim is to create opportunities for young people ‐ building a brighter future for them, their families and local community. We seek to achieve this by delivering fun and interactive activities centred around the sport of angling." i) WWWF‐UK Part of the international WWF network, dedicated to conservation and sustainable development.

j) Regional and Local Regional and local organisations relevant to the CWWW waterways are described in Section 6 below.

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5. Local and Regional Policies and Profile

a) Yorkshire & Humber The priorities outlined in the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Framework are the starting point for the regional delivery of the RDPE (Rural Development Programme for England). Six of these ten rural priorities are considered relevant to be delivered in whole or in part by RDPE and these are: . Rural Business Development ‐ Encourage enterprise and innovation within new and established rural businesses, and to provide a co‐ordinated support infrastructure that helps them adapt to change . Sustainable Tourism – Develop, manage and promote rural as a high quality 'sustainable tourism' destination . Employment, Education and Skills Training ‐ Develop and encourage participation in quality learning opportunities, and to support rural businesses in workforce development . Rural Communities ‐ To promote social cohesion, encourage and support the engagement of rural communities and the active roles that they can play . A ‘Functional Landscape’ ‐ Development draws on and sustains the natural, cultural and built heritage of the region’s rural areas . The Natural Environment – conserve and enhance the region’s rural biodiversity, its distinctiveness, and the quality of its natural and built environment

The ‘Rural Communities’ and ‘Functional Landscape’ priorities help to determine a sense of place, which is recognised as being of great importance. Details of the RDPE Implementation Plan for the Yorkshire and Humber region can be found at http://www.goyh.gov.uk/497763/docs/199734/199731/268180/661775/699078.

b) CWWW LEADER Programme The website for the CWWW LEADER Programme describes the links between the RDPE, the LEADER programme and other rural initiatives such as the Rural Enterprise Investment Programme http://www.ruralprogrammeseastyorkshire.co.uk/leader/introduction/.

c) Council East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s consideration of the waterways includes the commissioning of a feasibility study in 2002, various papers to the Greater Prosperity Overview & Scrutiny Committee over the period 2006 to 2008, and a paper in early 2009 which considered the LEADER programme and the Yorkshire Forward investment programme for the East Riding over the period 2009‐2014. ERYC had recognised ‘that there should be an area wide strategy that took into account the whole picture of inland waterway development’ (Report of Director of Planning and Economic Regeneration to ERYC Environment Transport Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Executive Summary 4.2.2009).

As part of the East Riding’s Local Strategic Partnership work, Local Action Teams have been established. These provide an interface between local communities and statutory agencies, including through organising regular meetings to discuss community priorities and to report on the activities of the agencies. Contact was

8 established with these teams as part of the research, and there may be potential in the future to develop further links.

d) North Yorkshire The Ryedale District and Scarborough Boroughs of North Yorkshire which sit within the CWWW LEADER geography are only a small part of North Yorkshire. Although waterways are not a major feature within this part pf the CWWW LEADER area, there are some waterways initiatives which it is expected will benefit from being part of a wider waterways network and initiative.

There is also another North Yorkshire LEADER programme for the Moors and Coast area adjacent to the CWWW area.

e) Parish Councils All Parish Councils adjacent to waterways across the CWWW area were contacted in order to identify whether waterways featured in their Parish plans. There was little response, and little evidence of waterways being identified as assets with potential for rural economic development in Parish Plans. However, the following Parish Councils indicated some interest in the waterways: ◦ ( – Goole area) ◦ (River Hull Flood Action Group) ◦ Catton (River Derwent) ◦ Driffield (, particularly role of Riverhead development as core element of Driffield Market Town Renaissance) ◦ () ◦ Luttons and (Gypsey Race) ◦ Newport, and (Market Weighton Canal) ◦ and Cowick ( – Goole area)

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6. Waterways in the CWWW area

Overview There are some 15 waterways in the CWWW area, including parts of waterways which run beyond the CWWW boundaries. There are three main groupings: a. Westwards from Goole, including the River Ouse, the River Aire, the Dutch River and the Aire & Calder Navigation. British Waterways is the main navigation authority for this area, adjacent to the major industrial port of Goole, operated by Associated British Ports b. The lower River Derwent and the , which are in part navigable. The River Derwent extends northwards and then east towards the coast close to the and the Yedingham Drain. The path of the River Derwent is in large part the boundary of the CWWW area. c. The River Hull and its extension north to Driffield, including the Driffield Navigation, Beck, the and Frodingham Beck

In addition to waterways in these groupings there are the Market Weighton Canal, which is managed by the Market Weighton Internal Drainage Board; the Gypsey Race, part of which runs under ground; and Hornsea Mere, a privately owned, self‐ contained leisure facility.

An A3 map of the CWWW waterways has been produced as part of this research phase, and is available on the CWWW LEADER website at http://www.ruralprogrammeseastyorkshire.co.uk/leader/publicity‐promotional/

Information Sources As a consequence of the diversity of ownership and uses of the waterways in the CWWW area, there are numerous sources of information produced by a wide variety of specialist interests. Information is fragmented and there is no single source for any coherent picture of the waterways and their current uses. Two useful general sources of information are Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page), whose user‐generated information taps into a wide range of specialist interests (although this can result in subjective views being posted as fact) and Waterscape, BW’s leisure website, (http://www.waterscape.com/) although this is weighted towards BW’s national network and the interests of boaters.

Waterways Templates As part of the research, nine waterway ‘templates’ were produced which outline the primary purpose of the waterway; salient features; key organisations including the navigation authority where this exists; ownership where known; local partnerships; water uses and activities (including leisure activities such as angling and canoeing which use the water, and others such as walking and cycling which use adjacent paths and land); local history and built heritage; and important aspects of the natural environment such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). These templates were presented as drafts at the waterways conference in November 2009 and updated by those attending. Further updating has taken place since then, and the current

10 versions are attached as Appendix 4. It is acknowledged that the templates cannot comprehensively cover all the specialist interests in detail, but the templates and other appendices to this report should provide sufficient references for readers to access further information, including via various websites. It is hoped that the templates will be a useful on‐going tool for the CWWW waterways partnership which will continue to evolve.

Appendix 5 lists websites for some of the organisations whose activities have existing or potential links to the CWWW waterways e.g. leisure and sports. It is unlikely that this list is comprehensive, given the fragmentation of information sources noted above. However, it is intended to provide a good starting point for the future work of the waterways partnership.

Contact details for individuals are on the Database – see below.

Analysis Analysis indicates that there are three distinctive features of the CWWW waterways which need to be taken into account in exploring the establishment of a Waterways Partnership: - Ownership of the waterways and the adjacent land; - Geology and Bio‐diversity; and - Water management

Ownership of the Waterways As previously notes, the majority of waterways in the CWWW area are not part of the national network, and hence are not in public ownership and under the stewardship of BW. Ownership of a waterway in the area may therefore be the result of ownership of the adjoining land, with the mid‐point of the water being a boundary. The role of Navigation Authority does not imply ownership, and the rights of a Navigation Authority are often determined and limited by their original (often 18th century) Acts of Parliament. Amenity Associations have been established on a number of waterways (e.g. the Pocklington Canal Amenity Society) and act on a voluntary basis to restore and maintain waterways. Amenity Associations are not navigation authorities.

During the research, contact was established with the Country Land & Business Association and the National Farmers’ Union as organisations representing the majority of local landowners. Further work will need to be undertaken to ensure that landowners are fully involved in the waterways partnership.

Geology and Bio‐Diversity The CWWW area has a very distinctive geology, as reflected in its name. The combination of wetlands, chalk rivers, flood plains etc. makes for a rich landscape which supports a wide variety of flora and fauna. Many of the waterways are particularly important in this regard, with the Lower Derwent being a designated RAMSAR site, for example. There are also a number of SSSIs on or adjacent to the banks of the Pocklington Canal and Driffield Navigation. Bio‐diversity is therefore

11 central to consideration of the CWWW waterways. Details for each waterway are contained in the templates referred to above.

In contrast, analysis by IWAC states that “Overall, only a very small proportion (about 8.5%, of which 1.5% relates to the River Wye alone) of the navigable channels of the currently navigable non‐tidal or partially tidal waterway system is included in sites designated as being of national or international importance for wildlife.” (Britain’s inland waterways: Balancing the needs of navigation and aquatic wildlife, IWAC, June 2008, p.31)

The richness of the landscape is also associated with the area’s national importance for agriculture – see Appendix 3.

Water Management Water management, including abstraction, is of critical importance in the CWWW area given that the area’s most important economic sector is agriculture. Parts of the area are also amongst those identified at national level of being at greatest risk of flooding. The waterways act not only as drainage, but also as a vital part of the area’s flood management and defences, as well as a source of drinking water. There are therefore competing claims on water use which the Waterways Partnership will need to be sensitive to in building an effective working partnership.

Several of the waterways in the area are managed by Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs). IDBs with responsibilities in the area include the Market Weighton Drainage Board, the Goole & DB (covering the confluence of the River Ouse, River Aire and River Don [Dutch River]) and the Lower Ouse DB.

Since the havoc caused by the floods in 2007, there has also been much debate and lobbying between local parties and the national agencies with primary responsibility for flood defences to agree priorities to avoid any repetition of the previous catastrophe.

Work So Far A great deal of work has been undertaken since the 1970s aimed at restoring the physical fabric of the waterways, particularly those previously used for freight transportation. Both the Driffield Navigation and the Pocklington Canal have been transformed over this period (although there is still further work to be done). BW has recently piloted a Heritage Management Agreement for the Pocklington Canal in partnership with English Heritage and East Riding of Yorkshire Council. ERYC has also invested significantly to renovate to enhance its appeal to boaters and a wider population of visitors

Much work has also been undertaken to protect and nurture the natural landscape, supporting the bio‐diversity of the area. The lower River Derwent and the Pocklington Canal are excellent examples.

Other developments include:

12 - The work of the Beverley Barge Preservation Society, which has refurbished the MV Syntan which now acts as a museum and community resource in addition to taking charters down the River Hull to the Humber Estuary - The work of the ‘Sobriety Project’, which uses the waterways, its refurbished boats and its waterside museum (the award‐winning Yorkshire Waterways Museum) to tackle social exclusion, provide skills and training, as well as offering a significant visitor attraction - The development of ambitious plans for the Hedon Haven, including re‐opening the waterway, creating a marina, visitor centre and country park

While national agencies have been involved in all these areas of work so far, a common theme arising from the interviews conducted for the research was that much of the work has been both very localised and very specialised.

Issues and Opportunities The problems outlined below were identified during the discussions and consultations undertaken as part of the research study. While there are inevitably differences from one waterway to another, there appears to be a significant degree of commonality about these issues:

1. Although there are enthusiastic organisations and individuals with knowledge of particular waterways their expertise has never been co‐ ordinated to produce an agreed strategy covering the whole of the CWWW area. They have to deal exclusively with their own problems, generally of navigation or restoration and don’t have the opportunity to share a common purpose with the wider community. The result is that they may miss out on the financial and other advantages of collaboration, especially when negotiating with public bodies at regional or government level.

2. The research has identified how much of the success to date in preserving, restoring and maintaining the local waterways has been the result of the work of dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers. There has been a strongly shared recognition that in many areas, the scope for further work at very local level is limited, and that greater ambitions can only be realised through the leverage offered by a CWWW partnership. The research has also identified through consultation that there are important gaps in the capacity, knowledge and skills available to achieve the ambitions of the new partnership.

3. At the same time, it has been clear that non‐waterway initiatives and partnerships addressing leisure issues, health and social exclusion have only scratched the surface of acknowledging and making use of the benefits the inland waterways can offer (Ref. Using inland waterways to combat the effects of social exclusion, IWAC, April 2009).

13 4. Rural business development associated with the waterways is only in its infancy within the CWWW area (see, for example, Parish Councils in Section 4 e) above).

These issues have formed part of the agenda for further action undertaken or planned following the research phase of work. In particular, they have informed the proposals for the nature of a CWWW waterways partnership, and the resources required to enable the partnership to be a success. See Section 8 below for further details.

The opportunities which could be realised through tackling these issues include - The development of Driffield River Head as part of Driffield Renaissance - Completing the restoration of the Pocklington Canal and its links to the River Derwent - Utilising the Market Weighton Canal as part of the proposed transformation of the area around the B1230 by the Parish Councils of Newport, Gilberdyke and North Cave - Implementing the plans for the Hedon Haven - Supporting and encouraging rural business development to secure wider benefits from the work to date on waterways‐related infrastructure

More general opportunities for the Waterways Partnership to explore include - Improving the health of local people by providing attractive and interesting spaces through partnerships with Health authorities - Promoting active lifestyles through linkages with Humber and North Yorkshire Sports Partnerships, as well as health authorities - Increasing attention to local history and culture, raising awareness of local heritage amongst residents and attracting more visitors - Creating more resources to tackle social exclusion including unemployment - Creating the right conditions for business start‐up

7. Database

Given the fragmented sources of information noted above, one of the research tasks has been to assemble a database of organisations and individuals who are interested in and/or relevant to the waterways. The first draft of the database was used to invite people to the CWWW Waterways conference held in November 2009. The invitation and conference raised further awareness of the waterways initiative, and led to further names being added to the database. The database currently lists over 300 named individuals with their organisations, contact details etc.; it is now held at the CWWW LEADER office.

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8. Waterway Partnerships and Developments in other parts of the Country

This section of the report provides some examples of waterways partnerships in other parts of England relevant to the development of a Waterways Partnership for the CWWW LEADER area. Most waterways activity around the country, and hence partnership working, is focused on elements of the navigable national network as previously described. Case studies of activities are therefore, generally speaking, of more interest and relevance than the structure of partnerships in these areas – see ‘Waterways for Everyone’ and the various IWAC research reports for further examples. a) Lincolnshire The Lincolnshire Waterways Partnership (LWP) was established in 2003 by Lincolnshire County Council, British Waterways and the Environment Agency. The Partnership arose out of the County Council’s commitment to invest £9.7 million in the waterways to match funding that was available through the 2000‐2006 European Objective 2 programme. The two main factors that led to a co‐ordinated approach to waterways in Lincolnshire were the focus on tourism, and particularly cycling, in the Objective 2 programme, and the identification by Environment Agency of the area as one of its three big action plans for the country, viewing the Lincolnshire project as “probably the largest rural regeneration project in Europe”. This involved establishing a navigable waterway link through to the Fens, thus creating a circular cruising route. In the view of the partners, the LWP is still the only area in the UK to have a county wide waterway regeneration strategy.

An independent evaluation of the work of LWP over the period 2003‐2008 was commissioned in 2008. This report was reviewed as part of the CWWW research, in order to derive lessons from LWP’s work, and can be made available to the CWWW Waterways Partnership. The LWP website appears to have closed down (presumably because the European funding has come to an end), with web searches via the partner agencies failing to produce any overview of the LWP (see http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/).

b) Chesterfield The Partnership (CCP) was established in 2006, and has 15 members, including British Waterways, Environment Agency, local authorities and the Chesterfield Canal Trust. The Trust is a registered charity with over 800 members. The Trust provides a means for local community engagement in the partnership, and we have reviewed the Partnership’s aims, objectives and constitution to determine their relevance. However the most obvious difference is that the CCP is dealing with only one canal, and this is part of the national network owned by BW. http://www.chesterfield‐canal‐partnership.co.uk/ http://www.chesterfield‐canal‐trust.org.uk/index.shtml

15 c) South Pennines LEADER programme Pennine Prospects (PP) was established in 2005 to support the regeneration of the South Pennines. The company is owned by the key local authorities, water companies, Natural England and voluntary/community sector. PP is the lead body for the South Pennines LEADER programme.

A Working Group has been established, and work is being supported via LEADER (e.g. the ‘Canal Connections’ interpretation project and towpath improvements) and the Heritage Lottery Fund (Watershed Landscape project) d) South West Partnership In the South West of England, a strategy has been developed for water‐based recreation, covering both coastal and inland waters. The strategy ‘Enjoying Water’ was developed by the University of Brighton and Exegesis SDM Ltd for the Environment Agency in association with a steering group from British Waterways, Natural England, South West of England Regional Development Agency, and Sport England, in consultation with the Government Office for the South West. The final report, and an executive summary, is available on the University of Brighton website: http://www.brighton.ac.uk/waterrecreation/strategy_south_west.htm

The strategy document identifies the need for partnerships in order to implement the strategy, but does not set out any specific proposals: “…partnerships will be required in order to achieve many of the priorities and opportunities identified in this strategy. These might be partnerships between public sector bodies, between private and voluntary sector bodies, or a mixture. Effective delivery of the priorities and opportunities will require closer working relationships and more consideration of how to link different policy areas in order to achieve multiple objectives” (Para 7.3, Enjoying Water, 2009). e) Similarities and Differences – LWP and CCP Compared to the interest in the waterways in the CWWW area, the Lincolnshire and Chesterfield partnerships show both similarities and differences:

CWWW Lincolnshire Chesterfield Ownership Diverse Single Single Number of canals Many Several One National network Limited Yes Yes Bio‐diversity Important Limited Limited Water Important N/A N/A management Partnership Restricted to 3 Widespread major public including agencies individuals via Trust National priority No Yes No

16 9. Further Actions

It is inevitable, given the fragmented nature of the waterways in the CWWW LEADER area, that the research to date can only present a partial picture. A particularly significant gap is in the information available on the ownership of a number of the waterways. There are also a number of areas where the ‘rights’ of different interests are less than definitive in law. It is hoped that, building on the work to date, these can be addressed in the spirit of partnership, rather than conflict, for the maximum benefit to the local communities in the CWWW LEADER area.

Following completion of the first phase of research work, a waterways conference was held in November 2009. The conference considered the work undertaken to date, the future potential of the CWWW waterways, and the issues which need to be addressed. Tentative support was given to the concept of a CWWW waterways partnership. It was recognised that work would need to be done to ensure that the form and functions of such a partnership were appropriate for the area, taking full account of the issues and complexities identified in the research.

Following the conference, volunteers came forward to participate in a Partnership Development Group which undertook the next steps of work in moving towards a CWWW waterways partnership, exploring options for the form a partnership could take, and developing a constitution for endorsement by the wider group of interests.

It has been recognised that a partnership will require resources to enable it to achieve its ambitions. A funding application and outline business plan have therefore also been developed and submitted for approval to the CWWW LEADER programme.

The aim is for both the constitution and the funding application to be approved by the end of March 2010.

17 LIST OF APPENDICES

1. Map of National Waterways

2. National Organisations – Websites

3. Yorkshire & Humber Agriculture

4. CWWW Waterways Templates

5. Organisations with Waterways ‐ related Interests

18 Appendix 1: Map of National Waterways

19 Appendix 2: National Organisations ‐ Websites

AINA (Association of Inland Navigation Authorities): http://www.aina.org.uk/ British Waterways: http://www.british‐waterways.org/home British Waterways – Leisure: http://www.waterscape.com/ British Waterways – Twenty Twenty: http://www.britishwaterways.co.uk/twentytwenty Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs): http://www.defra.gov.uk/ Department for Communities and Local Government: http://www.communities.gov.uk/corporate/ Department for Culture, Media and Sport: http://www.culture.gov.uk/ Department for Transport: http://www.dft.gov.uk/help/findinginfo Environment Agency: http://www.environment‐agency.gov.uk/ Inland Waterways Association: http://www.waterways.org.uk/ IWAC (Inland Waterways Advisory Council): http://www.iwac.org.uk/ IWAC Research: http://www.iwac.org.uk/reports/ Natural England: http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ Waterways Recovery Group: http://www.wrg.org.uk/

20 Appendix 3: Yorkshire & Humber Agriculture

The following information is extracted from the RDPE 2007‐13 Y&H Regional Implementation Plan:

Within YH agricultural land represents 76% of the total area, 12% of England’s agricultural land and 11% of England’s holdings. Patterns of farming reflect the region’s diverse topography and all the major farming types are found within the region.

There are over 20,000 holdings in the region and overall these employ 1.2% of the region’s workforce. However, the remote rural areas are responsible for 60% of the region’s agricultural employment.

Data from the Regional Econometric Model shows a steady decline in the contribution of primary agriculture to the region’s economy over the last 15 years. Agriculture’s output has declined from 3.4% of the regions economy in 1986 to 2.3% in 2001. The model forecasts this trend will continue.

This trend could also lead to changes in the management of the region’s agricultural land, with potentially adverse consequences for landscape, biodiversity and rural tourism.

21 Appendix 4: CWWW Waterways Templates

4.1 Driffield Navigation and River Hull

4.2 The Goole Area: Aire & Calder / River Aire / River Don / Dutch River and the River Ouse

4.3 Gypsey Race

4.4 Hedon Haven

4.5 Hornsea Mere

4.6 Market Weighton Canal

4.7 Pocklington Canal

4.8 River Derwent

4.9 Vale of Pickering / Upper Derwent / River Hertford / Yedingham Drain

22

4.1 DRIFFIELD NAVIGATION and RIVER HULL Overview and Description The Driffield Navigation is an extension of the River Hull, running from Driffield to Beck (approximately 11 miles), with branches to Frodingham and Corps Landing. The River Hull from to the Humber is around 23 miles long. Beverley Beck and the Leven Canal branch from the River Hull, although the entrance to the latter is blocked. The river runs close to the outskirts of Beverley, which is the only major centre of population near the river between Driffield and Hull.

All the locks on the Driffield Canal have been restored to use, but the fixed Wansford road bridge prevents navigation along the length of the canal.

There are two other accommodation bridges to be replaced as well as a significant amount of dredging to remove contaminated sediment and increase the depth of the waterway to facilitate navigation. Primary Usage / Purpose Leisure and canal boat use; commercial boat usage within Hull port. The River Hull and Driffield Navigation are also the main drainage channels for the Wolds and coastal areas. Navigation Authority Driffield Navigation Trust; Environment Agency has powers to control navigation in relation to impact on water management for River Hull Amenity Society Driffield Navigation Amenities Association Water Users Cruisers, residential craft, canoes, sailing boats Beverley Beck Boating Association; Canal Cruises; Bethell's Bridge Boat Club; Boat Club

Drainage and Floods Drainage from the Holderness Plain is of critical importance to the area, achieved through the Holderness Drain, which runs broadly parallel to the river, and the River Hull. Precipitation on Wolds feeds the River Hull headwaters and Driffield Navigation via streams, drainage channels and underground spring system. This network forms the main drainage system for the whole East Riding Natural Environment River Hull Headwaters SSSI, Leven Canal SSSI, Pulfin Bog SSSI. Nationally important chalk stream and wetland habitats.

Rare breeding birds

All watercourses support legally protected Otter and Water Vole.

Built Heritage Locks, wharfs, warehouses Major proposals developed by Driffield Partnership for regeneration of the Driffield Riverhead as a leisure and tourist destination Beverley Barge Preservation Society Humber Keel and Sloop Preservation Society

23

Leisure and Recreation Walking, cycling and bird-watching, sailing, angling, canoes, kayaks Sport Social and Economic Inclusion School trips; guided walks; story boards ◦ Education ◦ Health ◦ Rural isolation Other interests, interested Proposals for redevelopment of the head of navigation form parties and local partnerships part of the Driffield Renaissance regeneration programme.

Physical linkages to other Linked to other inland waterways via the River Hull. Waterways actual e.g. ◦ Transport [road, rail, bus] ◦ Walks, Cycle routes ◦ Other? Other connections between waterways e.g. ◦ Relating to any of the themes listed above ◦ Economic ◦ History, heritage ◦ Festivals, events

Information sources and Driffield Navigation Trust www.driffieldnavigation.co.uk websites Driffield Partnership http://www.driffieldpartnership.co.uk/ccm/navigation/home/ Holderness Flood Defence Group River Hull Flood Action Group

24

4.2 THE GOOLE AREA: AIRE & CALDER / RIVER AIRE / RIVER DON / DUTCH RIVER and the RIVER OUSE

Overview and Description Goole is the centre of a network of natural and man-made waterways which link to the River Humber.

The Aire & Calder Navigation runs from Leeds to Goole, a distance of some 35 miles. Approximately 10 miles of its overall length lies within the CWWW area. (Note only Old Goole lies within the CWWW Area, not the whole town of Goole.) For the last 5 miles from near to Goole, the unnavigable Dutch River, an artificial channel cut to manage the overflow from the River Don, runs next to the Aire & Calder.

The River Aire has a length of over 70 miles, rising near Malham in North Yorkshire, passing through Keighley, Bingley and Leeds, amongst other towns and cities. East of Knottingly the river runs broadly parallel to the M62, and from near Hensall until it empties into the Ouse it forms the boundary between North Yorkshire and the East Riding.

The River Ouse flows from North Yorkshire, through and Selby before arriving at Goole. Some 7 miles east of Goole, at , the Ouse merges with the Trent to form the Humber. Primary Usage / Purpose Leisure and Freight Transport Navigation Authorities British Waterways (Aire & Calder), Environment Agency (Dutch River), Lower Ouse (Associated British Ports) Amenity Society Water Users Canal boats, barges and ships The Southfield Reservoir is at the junction of the Aire & Calder with the South Yorkshire Navigation and is used by the Beaver Sailing Club. Fishermen/women Drainage and Floods EA defences complete pro tem. Blacktoft Parish Council has interest in refurbishing pump at Yokefleet Natural Environment Humber Estuary SSSI, SAC, SPA & Ramsar Site Rare Species – birds etc Southfield Reservoir is locally important for birds. RSPB reserve at Blacktoft Sands Museum’s allotment in Old Goole Built Heritage Goole’s Number 5 Boat Hoist Leisure and Recreation Goole Boathouse (Marina and Club) Goole Model Boat Club ROOM 58 Floating Art Gallery (at the Museum) Sport Social and Economic Inclusion The Sobriety Project at the Yorkshire Waterways Museum ◦ Education utilises boats and the waters for a variety of social inclusion ◦ Health and education projects, including rehabilitation of offenders

25 ◦ Rural isolation from Moorland open prison, an extensive volunteer scheme, and a performing arts project, Castaway Other interests, interested East Riding of Yorkshire Council: Museum Service, Adult parties and local partnerships Education Service and Youth Offending Team. Goole Development Trust Local Food Partnership Yorkshire Museums Federation National Community Boats Association

Physical linkages to other The Aire & Calder and Dutch River terminate in Goole and Waterways actual e.g. connecting to the Ouse. The Derwent joins the Ouse at ◦ Transport [road, rail, bus] Long Drax right on the border of the CWWW area, ◦ Walks, approximately 4 miles north west of Goole. ◦ Cycling Train links between Goole and Gilberdyke and , ◦ Other? both close to the Market Weighton canal.

Other connections between By making its collection, displays, events and expertise waterways e.g. readily available to the public the Yorkshire Waterways ◦ Relating to any of the Museum is a focus point for local and regional waterway themes listed above interests. ◦ Economic ◦ History, heritage It also has a national profile for using the inland waterways ◦ Festivals, events for tackling social and economic exclusion through partnership delivery of contracts with non waterway organisations.

Information sources and Town Council websites http://www.towncouncil-snaith.com/ccm/navigation/home/ ‘Sobriety’ / Yorkshire Waterways Museum www.waterwaysmuseum.org.uk

26

4.3 GYPSEY RACE Overview and Description The Gypsey Race (GR) is a chalk stream running through the “which runs eastwards from Wharram le Street to , at which point it turns southwards to and from there eastwards to ” It is the only surface stream on the High Wolds. (Luttons and Weaverthorpe Parish Plan 2008). The Race disappears for some part of its course rising again in Rudston and running out to Bridlington.

The GR runs through mainly privately owned land

It is both a water course and wildlife habitat

Primary Usage / Purpose Drainage

Navigation Authority Not applicable

Amenity Society The Chalk River Trust which includes Natural England, Environment Agency, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. The Chalk Rivers Trust includes GR in the waterways which it supports. Water Users Recreational use from where the GR passes under the A165 close to Bridlington

Drainage and Floods “The East Yorkshire Chalk rivers are important for wildlife including the rare Otter and Water Vole. The chalk rivers are under increasing threat from water abstraction, land drainage, agricultural runoff, flood defences and urban development.” (Chalk Rivers Trust Website) Natural Environment Rare Northern Chalk Stream Geological record – Great Wold Valley Voles and otters Boynton Willow Garth SSSI – Wet Woodland and Geological Various Countryside Stewardship Scheme and Environmental Stewardship Scheme Agreements.

Chalk Rivers Trust carries out some or all of the following Fisheries and Ecological Surveys. Fish Stock & fish environment manipulation. Control of alien plant species. Wild Life Surveys

Built Heritage Within the potential project for the Western GR there are plans to map and document buildings of historic interest Leisure and Recreation Again within the proposed project it is hoped to develop links between villages along the GR by developing the footpath along the GR and others in the area and encourage their use by local people and others from outside the area. Essentially to link up places of geography and interest and

27 promote the area and its assets Sport Social and Economic Inclusion Schools have been involved in work to restock the GR with ◦ Education trout so there has been an educational and involvement of ◦ Health local young people in the work of the Trust. ◦ Rural isolation Other interests, interested The Parish plan of Luttons and Weaverthrorpe has included parties and local partnerships the Gypsey Race in its plans and mentions the watervole, barn owls and the state of local footways and cycleways.

Physical linkages to other Wolds Way goes through Wharram le Street Waterways actual e.g. B1253 runs close to the Gypsey Race for parts of its length ◦ Transport [road, rail, bus] ◦ Walks, Cycle routes ◦ Other?

Other connections between Work currently underway to protect wildlife and habitat. waterways e.g. Also interesting development to see the GR as a focus for ◦ Relating to any of the community involvement and activity between those villages themes listed above through which the GR passes from where it rises - ◦ Economic development of footpaths, and profile of its heritage. ◦ History, heritage Potential project The Great Wold Valley –An ancient place ◦ Festivals, events in a modern context is being developed looking at the ◦ Environment, built heritage, customs and traditions, locality and commerce Information sources and The East Yorkshire Chalk Rivers Trust websites http://www.eastyorkshirechalkriverstrust.org Luttons and Weaverthorpe Parish Plan 2008

28

4.4 HEDON HAVEN Overview and Description Hedon is 6 miles east of Hull, and 1.5 miles from the River Humber. The Hedon Haven was closed in the early 1970s, and the majority of the river was filled in.

The Drain was extended to meet the old Haven; this then became the ‘main river’.

Primary Usage / Purpose Currently the Haven contributes to drainage of South Holderness. Apart from this, the Haven has no current use, and the land is derelict. Navigation Authority Not applicable Amenity Society Hedon Preservation Society takes up this role. Water Users None.

Proposals would re-open the Haven to navigation to the Humber and beyond. A marina is planned as part of the proposed redevelopment, and fishing would be introduced. Drainage and Floods Nearby Burstwick Drain forms part of the East Riding’s drainage system, but could not cope with the floods of 2007, with the village of Burstwick and the town of Hedon being two of the worst affected places in the East Riding.

Proposals include excavation to create capacity to hold waters in the river and marina, which would contribute to flood management.

Natural Environment The fields either side of the Haven are of ecological interest. Areas of saltmarsh, mudflat and subtidal flats which are located downstream of Hedon Haven (at the confluence of the Humber & Haven) are included in the Humber Estuary SSSI, candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC), Special Protection Area (SPA) and Ramsar site.

Proposals may enhance current wetland and wildlife areas and create country park at the marina itself but potential impacts on the designated sires (SSSI etc) would need to be assessed. Built Heritage Parish church of St Augustine, known as the 'King of Holderness', is a Grade 1 listed building. The Haven bed is designated an Ancient Monument. Fort Museum http://www.fortpaull.com/ccm/navigation/home/ Leisure and Recreation Links to the Hornsea-West coast cycle track, and close to attractions in Hull.

Proposals would include field study facilities, boating, fishing and walking; also visitor centre, hotel, camping and caravan sites.

29

Sport Sport facilities close by.

Social and Economic Inclusion Story boards ◦ Education ◦ Health ◦ Rural isolation Other interests, interested Hedon Museum, Hedon Town Council parties and local partnerships

Physical linkages to other Historic and potential links to the Humber and hence Waterways actual e.g. beyond. ◦ Transport [road, rail, bus] ◦ Walks, Cycle routes ◦ Other?

Other connections between Hedon was a thriving port in the 11th and 12th centuries, but waterways e.g. went into rapid decline as the port and town of Hull was ◦ Relating to any of the established on the Humber. themes listed above ◦ Economic ◦ History, heritage ◦ Festivals, events

Information sources and Hedon Navigation Trust websites http://hedonblog.wordpress.com/2009/09/10/hedon-haven- restoration-project/

30

4.5 HORNSEA MERE Overview and Description Hornsea Mere is the largest natural lake in Yorkshire, approximately 2 miles long and ¾ mile at its widest point. Covering some 470 acres, it is a freshwater lake, but only a mile from the coast.

Primary Usage / Purpose Leisure Navigation Authority Not applicable. The estate owns the Mere Amenity Society Not applicable Water Users Sailing (Hornsea Sailing Club, Hornsea Mere Marine; includes national racing events), rowing, boat trips, fishing

Drainage and Floods Not applicable Natural Environment Designated Special Protection Area, of international importance for a migratory population of gadwall. Built Heritage Leisure and Recreation Bird-watching; walking; putting green Sport Social and Economic Inclusion ◦ Education ◦ Health ◦ Rural isolation Other interests, interested Links to the Hornsea Area Renaissance Partnership regeneration parties and local programme partnerships http://www.hornseaarearenaissance.co.uk/ccm/navigation/home/

Physical linkages to other Waterways actual e.g. ◦ Transport [road, rail, bus] ◦ Walks, Cycle routes ◦ Other?

Other connections between waterways e.g. ◦ Relating to any of the themes listed above ◦ Economic ◦ History, heritage ◦ Festivals, events

Information sources and Hornsea Mere Marine http://www.hornseameremarine.com/ websites Hornsea Sailing Clubhttp://www.hornseasailingclub.org.uk/ Wassand Hall http://www.wassand.co.uk/

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4.6 MARKET WEIGHTON CANAL Overview and Description Runs North-South from south of Market Weighton into the Humber, a distance of some 12 miles. The original canal River Head was some 2 miles outside the town, and the upper 3 miles north of Sodhouse was abandoned in 1900 and is largely filled in. The canal is self-contained, with no links to any navigable waterways.

The swings in a wide arc from north of Market Weighton, joining the Canal just north of where the M62 crosses the Canal and about a mile south of Sodhouse Lock.

Newport is the only town or village on the Canal Primary Usage / Purpose Drainage. Navigation Authority Formal powers held by the Drainage Board; in practice Environment Agency, as a main river. Technically the Humber lock still enables narrow-boat transit. Amenity Society None Water Users Fishing around Newport, canoeing (mainly between Newport and the Humber). Canal boat usage is negligible as there are closure orders at various points (Humber lock is perhaps used ‘once a year’?) Drainage and Floods The Market Weighton Drainage Board covers a drainage area of some 20,000Ha. Some 85% of the drainage district catchment area drains into the Market Weighton Canal, hence the importance of the Canal, and its main river outfall at Weighton Lock. The Canal is therefore one of the most important drainage waterways in the CWWW area Natural Environment There is a SSSI at Common, 2-3 miles from the canal, and a former quarry has been transformed by Yorkshire Wildlife Trust into a large wetland bird sanctuary situated at North Cave. These rely on managed water levels balanced with the needs of drainage. Otter and water vole.

The canal itself is important wildlife corridor supporting good populations of dragonflies and damselflies. Borrow pits adjacent to the canal supports the nationally scarce plant Greater Water Parsnip. The canal, its margins and adjacent wetlands also support rare birds of prey. Built Heritage Leisure and Recreation Canoeing on adjacent lake on reclaimed excavation – contact Hull & District Canoe Club Sport Social and Economic Inclusion ◦ Education ◦ Health ◦ Rural isolation Other interests, interested Newport Parish Council is working with the adjacent Parish

32 parties and local partnerships Councils of Gilberdyke and North Cave around transforming the B1230. Aspirations are to develop a ‘rural community corridor’ and to embrace Canal potential within that.

Physical linkages to other M62 and B1230 run East-West over the Canal. Waterways actual e.g. Wolds Way walk goes close to Market Weighton, but not to ◦ Transport [road, rail, bus] the canal. ◦ Walks, Cycle routes ◦ Other?

Other connections between waterways e.g. ◦ Relating to any of the themes listed above ◦ Economic ◦ History, heritage ◦ Festivals, events

Information sources and Market Weighton Drainage Board websites http://www.marketweighton-idb.org/default.aspx

33

4.7 POCKLINGTON CANAL Overview and Description The canal is 9.5 miles long and runs from Canal Head near Pocklington to join the River Derwent at . Six of the nine locks have been restored. Cottingwith Lock has recently been repaired and re-gated.

Melbourne is the largest village on the canal. Canal Head is close to the A1079 York-Hull road and approximately a mile south of Pocklington town centre. Primary Usage / Purpose The canal is mainly used by pedestrians and apart from the popular picnic site at Canal Head, most of the canal is peaceful. Nature conservation is a primary consideration. A small number of and smaller craft use the canal. Navigation Authority British Waterways Amenity Society Pocklington Canal Amenity Society (PCAS) Water Users Canal boat usage is currently restricted to the stretch between the Derwent and Melbourne, but navigation will be extended to near the village of . PCAS has a trip boat ‘New Horizons’, which operates from Melbourne Arm and runs public trips on Sundays and Bank Holidays. Individuals and clubs use canoes on the canal. Angling: fishing rights are leased from British Waterways by the York and District Amalgamation of Angers. The canal contains a variety of fish. Drainage and Floods Natural Environment Nearly the whole length of the canal is included in one of three SSSIs: Derwent Ings, Melbourne & Thornton Ings, and with the upper reaches of the canal being a SSSI in its own right. Derwent Ings and Melbourne and Thornton Ings form part of the Lower Derwent valley SPA, Ramsar site and SAC. Built Heritage The canal has featured in a recent pilot Heritage Partnership Agreement. Listed structures include the locks and four road bridges. Leisure and Recreation The towpath and adjacent footpaths make for attractive walking country, especially as the area is largely flat.

A picnic area has been created around the basin at Canal Head. Sport Social and Economic Inclusion Story boards ◦ Education ◦ Health ◦ Rural isolation Other interests, interested British Waterways, PCAS, Natural England, the parties and local partnerships Environment Agency, English Heritage and ERYC work closely together regarding the management and safeguarding of the canal and hold regular liaison meetings

Physical linkages to other The A1079 between York and Hull runs adjacent to Canal Waterways actual e.g. Head.

34 ◦ Transport [road, rail, bus] ◦ Walks, Cycle routes The Wolds Way is some 2.5 miles from Canal Head ‘as the ◦ Other? crow flies’.

Other connections between waterways e.g. ◦ Relating to any of the themes listed above ◦ Economic ◦ History, heritage ◦ Festivals, events ◦ Information sources and Pocklington Canal Amenity Society websites http://www.pocklingtoncanalsociety.org/ British Waterways – Waterscape http://www.waterscape.com/canals-and-rivers/pocklington- canal

35

4.8 RIVER DERWENT Overview and Description This description refers to the section of the River Derwent from Malton in the north to the junction with the River Ouse in the south. Primary Usage / Purpose Water extraction for residents of York, Leeds, Hull etc. Major agricultural land usage. Navigation Authority None Sutton Lock to Barmby: Environment Agency has powers to control navigation in relation to impact on water management.

Amenity Society No formal amenity society. Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Natural England and Derwent Valley Conservation Group all play a part. Water Users This river has been the subject of one of the longest and hardest fought navigation disputes in the UK, peaking in the 1970s and 1980s with the legal dispute reaching the House of Lords. Despite this several rights remain unclear.

Malton to Stamford Bridge: this stretch of the river is used by anglers and canoeists (although there continues to be disagreement about the latter’s rights). There is no right of access for canoeists without riparian owners consent.

Stamford Bridge to Barmby and onwards: canal boat usage including into the Ouse, connecting to Selby moorings and the Trent. Although public navigation exists from Barmby to Sutton there is no established general right of navigation through Elvington Lock and on north of Sutton.

Drainage and Floods Important role in drainage; Environment Agency responsible for flood control and drainage. Natural Environment The river includes the important Lower Derwent National Nature Reserve, which covers the whole stretch of the Derwent from Sutton to Barmby.

The River itself is a designated SSSI and Special Area of Conservation from Ryemouth to Barmby. Details of River Derwent SSSI are available from Natural England’s website. SAC features include otter, water crowfoot, lamprey and bull head. Any plans, proposal etc would be subject to Appropriate Assessment under Habitat Regulations. Lower Derwent Valley is a separate SAC, Special Protection Area and Ramsar site comprising 4 separate SSSI. Some sections and declared as National Nature Reserve. Pocklington Canal forms part of two of these SSSI (and associated designations) and some is a separate SSSI as well

The whole system is a significant conservation site.

36 Built Heritage Kirkham Priory is 12th century. Howsham Mill? Leisure and Recreation Pathways incomplete in Lower Derwent: reinstatement would assist greater leisure use. Sport Social and Economic Inclusion Malton and Stamford Bridge are the only towns on this ◦ Education stretch of the river, but there are also several small ◦ Health settlements. ◦ Rural isolation Other interests, interested parties and local partnerships Physical linkages to other Pocklington Canal connects to the Derwent near East Waterways actual e.g. Cottingwith. ◦ Transport [road, rail, bus] Major roads from York to the coast cross the Derwent. ◦ Walks, Cycle routes ◦ Other? Other connections between Stamford Bridge is the site of one of the great battles of waterways e.g. 1066. ◦ Relating to any of the themes listed above ◦ Economic ◦ History, heritage ◦ Festivals, events Information sources and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust http://www.ywt.org.uk/ websites Derwent Valley Conservation Group The Yorkshire River Derwent – Moments in Time, Ian Carstairs, 2007

37

4.9 Vale of Pickering / Upper Derwent / River Hertford / Yedingham Drain

Overview and The Vale of Pickering runs from West to East bordered by the Description Wolds in the South and the North York Moors in the North. It is flat land that has been historically underwater and is now a mix of wetland pasture (ings) and arable land that is peaty in character. Running through the vale is the Upper Derwent which rises in the North York Moors. The Vale is largely drained land on which drains and ditches run in to the Derwent and also the River Hertford which is canalised. The Derwent is the northern boundary of the Leader area which then runs to the coast between Filey and Scarborough. The land in the vale is primarily farm land and supports significant level of biodiversity. There is a history of settlement that is Pre- Roman and has been settled since.

There is also the Yedingham Drain mid way along the vale.

Primary Usage / Farmland Purpose Navigation Authority River Derwent and River Hertford: No navigation authority, but Environment Agency has powers to control navigation in relation to impact on water management. Yedingham Drain – Yedingham Drainage Board

Navigation rights are vested in riparian owners

Amenity Society N/A Water Users The Derwent supplies drinking water via a pumping station at Irton. Growing demand means that additional water is being pumped from Bridlington in the south

Drainage and Floods Some of the area is underwater in the winter months

Natural Environment Work is underway to promote agricultural stewardship –particularly of the Cayton and Flixton areas of the Vale. Work is undertaken with farmers to encourage them to seek funding to support the different and sustainable usage of the land – to encourage bio diversity etc

Built Heritage Archaeological heritage re: historical settlement. NE Yorks Geology Trust – guided walks

Leisure and Recreation Minimal. Some fishing and wildlife related activity Sport Social and Economic Cayton and Flixton partnership aims to develop community and Inclusion education programs on the coast between Scarborough and ◦ Education Reighton and promote the creation of coastal nature reserves ◦ Health ◦ Rural isolation Other interests, Cayton and Flixton partnership: membership includes Environment interested parties and Agency, North Yorks County Council, RSPB, Ryedale District local partnerships Council, Scarborough District Council, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust,

38 Natural England, and English Heritage. Emphasis is on supporting partners in the protection and enhancement of Local Sites (including SSSIs) through liaison with landowners and communities.

Physical linkages to There are public footpaths – rights of way across the Vale of other Waterways Pickering and the Wolds Way runs along the Northern edge of the actual e.g. Vale. ◦ Transport [road, rail, bus] ◦ Walks, Cycle routes ◦ Other? Other connections History and Archaeology shared with Gypsey Race, Hedon between waterways Navigation and the development of the canals in the CWWW Area e.g. ◦ Relating to any of the themes listed above ◦ Economic ◦ History, heritage ◦ Festivals, events Information sources Derwent Riverside Project / Castle Garden and websites http://www.maltoncastlegarden.org.uk/ Muston & Yedingham IDB http://www.valeofpickeringidbs.org.uk/MustonYedingham_000.htm Ryedale Bio-Diversity Action Plan http://www.ryedale.gov.uk/pdf/RYEDALE_BAP.pdf

39 Appendix 5: Organisations with Waterways ‐ related Interests

Organisation Website Angling Development Board http://www.anglingtrust.net/landing.asp?section=27§ionTitle=ADB Angling Trust http://www.anglingtrust.net/default.asp Birdwatching http://www.birdnerd.co.uk/otherfeatures/birdingineastyorkshire.htm British Dragonfly Society (Yorks Branch) http://www.yorkshiredragonflies.org.uk/ Canoe Days Out http://www.canoedaysout.com/index.htm Carstairs Countryside Trust Country Land and Business Association http://www.cla.org.uk/In_Your_Area/Yorkshire/Contacts/ Derwent Valley Conservation Group East Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust http://www.eychurches.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1&Itemid=31 English Heritage http://www.english‐heritage.org.uk/ Game & Wildlife Preservation Trust http://www.gct.org.uk/ Get Hooked on Fishing http://www.ghof.org.uk/ Hornsea Countryside Society Civic Society http://www.howdencivicsociety.org.uk/ Hull & District Anglers’ Association http://www.hdaafishing.co.uk/ Hull & District Canoe Club http://www.hullanddistrictcanoeclub.org.uk/ Humber Rural Partnership Humber Sports Partnership http://www.humbersport.com/ iGreens http://www.igreens.org/ Malton & Norton Canoe Club http://www.mncc.co.uk/ National Farmers Union http://www.nfuonline.com/ North Yorkshire Sport http://www.northyorkshiresport.co.uk/About/CSP.aspx Ponds for People http://www.pondconservation.org.uk/aboutus/ourwork/pondsforpeople Ramblers Association http://www.ramblers.org.uk/; http://www.eastyorkshireramblers.org.uk/ Royal Society for the Protection of Birds http://www.rspb.org.uk/

40 South Holderness Countryside Society Visit Hull and East Yorkshire http://www.realyorkshire.co.uk/ Wolds and Riverbank Countryside Society http://www.warcs.org.uk/ York & District Amalgamation of Anglers http://www.ydaa.org.uk/ Yorkshire & Humber Biodiversity Forum http://www.yhbf.org/ Yorkshire and the Humber Rural Affairs Forum http://www.yhraf.org.uk/about.shtml Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union http://www.ynu.org.uk/ Yorkshire Wildlife Trust http://www.ywt.org.uk/ Buildings Preservation Trust See http://www.ukapt.org.uk/index.php Yorkshire Wolds Way http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/yorkshirewoldsway/text.asp?PageId=15

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