The final (approved) design for Cappers Bridge

OGLEY TOP LOCK COTTAGE
As some members may be aware, the Top Lock Cottage at Ogley Junction has recently come onto the market at £300,000. Although much extended and modernised, it still carries its former BCN number 272 and, of most interest to us, includes half of the top lock chamber buried in the front garden. This is an unmissable opportunity to buy back an essential part of the Lichfield Canal and the Trust has conditionally identified a means of sponsoring this. Although road access and drainage problems will preclude any major work on restoring the lock until we also have access to the other half of the lock in the property next door, we can rent out the property until such time as we can sell it on again, minus the restored lock. Restoration of the top 4 locks at Ogley has always been a difficult issue due to their being in several ownerships, with access roads to the houses extending across the canal line and gardens over the infilled side ponds. If we can acquire the Top Lock Cottage this will be a significant step forward, although it may take some years to replace the other pieces of the jigsaw. One interesting problem to contemplate meanwhile is what to do with the septic tank which is located in the lock chamber. I would not like to write the Risk Assessment for its removal!

LICHFIELD SOUTHERN BYPASS
The plans for the Lichfield Southern Bypass are causing us considerable concern at present. Since the formation of the Trust we have known that a major diversion of the Lichfield Canal would be necessary to avoid previous development on the original line between Sandfields and Wordsworth Close. It was agreed with both the District and County councils that this would follow the line of the proposed Lichfield Southern Bypass and outline plans were drawn up to show how this could be achieved. As a result, further redevelopment has since been permitted which has removed any possibility of returning to the historic route. Although we have been meeting the District Council regularly for over 9 years, and progress with the bypass plans has frequently been discussed, efforts to engage the County as the highway authority have been more difficult to achieve. All enquiries about what provision would be included for the canal in the bypass plans were fobbed off with claims that they had no funding to even draw up the plans, until last November when they suddenly announced that they were going to build the section which affects us by this August, financed by the Chesterfield Road housing development, but would include no work on the canal.

We were horrified at this and pointed out in person and in several letters that national planning policy, which had been changed substantially as a result of our battle over the BNRR, now required them to make provision for the canal diversion which is necessitated by the bypass and the ongoing development that it serves. This is clearly set out in national Planning Policy Guidance PPG13 Transport and in great detail in the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges. But in April, after a long delay so that they could claim that it was too late because planning permission had by then been given, the County made the extraordinary claim that Government policy does not apply to them! This is all the more galling because we have been getting excellent co-operation from other sections of the County including the bridge engineers for Cappers Lane, the estates section over land on the Hatherton Canal route and the regeneration team over funding opportunities. But the road engineers seem set on denying their obligations and frustrating national and local planning policy support for the canal’s restoration.

We expected that all the land necessary for the canal route would be provided by the developers, and that they would contribute to financing the earthworks and bridges, the rest of which would need to come from District, County or Government sources through the Local Transport Plan. All that is on offer is a strip of land of insufficient width and no construction work, which the County claims meets its obligation not to actually obstruct the canal. Perhaps they should actually read the relevant documents which make clear that this is no longer sufficient.

PPG13 says that “local authorities should protect disused waterways by ensuring that sites and routes are not severed by new development or transport infrastructure”; and Para 11.7 of the Design Manual says “A navigable crossing or diversion should normally be included in the scheme where there is a viable proposal to restore a waterway and physical work is either under way, or is likely to start within a reasonable time after completion of the scheme. The crossing or diversion should meet the reasonable requirements of navigation on the waterway being restored and include provision for ancillary facilities such as towpaths where possible.”

We have met Ian Thompson the Development Services Director for Lichfield to seek his assistance and the Lichfield MP Michael Fabricant has helped to raise the profile of this issue by asking questions of the Deputy Prime Minister. We do not want to get back into political campaigning mode against the County Highways, and post-BNRR it should not have been necessary, but unless their attitude changes substantially and soon, we may need to call on all the resources of our supporters to fight this as a test case of the effectiveness of Government policy and planning guidance on waterway restoration projects.

HATHERTON MARINA
A planning application has been made to South Staffordshire Council for a marina, facilities building, workshop and public house on the Hatherton Canal, just west of the Roman Way and above Meadow Lock. Although perhaps surprising as the canal is not yet navigable here, the Trust warmly welcomes the proposal as an important step forward in demonstrating commercial interest and confidence in its restoration. Whilst developing the full facilities of the marina will obviously depend on restoring the canal through to Calf Heath, it can meanwhile be used for static moorings, boat sales, chandlery, etc. and the offer of space in the proposed visitor centre for Trust promotional and educational material is much appreciated. The plans indicate an attractive design and a pleasant landscaped setting based on existing ponds with their own spring-fed water supply. If consent is given we look forward to working with the Hammonds to bring forward the restoration of the canal channel from the Roman Way to Cats Bridge to give more than half a mile of cruising water for boats to use, and to promoting the extension of this section towards Calf Heath by replacement of the road bridges.

EXCAVATOR
For some time now we have been discussing the need for the Trust to acquire its own mini-excavator. Whilst our old JCB3 has given sterling service over the years, it is too big to take along the towpath or into locks and too unmanoeuvrable to work into tight corners. For years we have depended on the occasional loan of Waterway Recovery Group’s JCB803, which has been much appreciated, and it has proved to be the ideal size of machine for a large variety of excavation and levelling jobs. However, due to demand from other societies ‘Blue’ is not always available when we most need it, and it has become an increasing problem trying to plan our other work around its availability, especially when bookings become altered. With a similar machine of our own on hand whenever needed, we could use our volunteer work force more productively. Obviously, major earthmoving operations would still need larger plant hired for that specific purpose, as at present, but all our smaller and long-running jobs would benefit. We have, therefore, been looking around lately for a used 803 in reasonable condition at the right price, and it seems that we should be able to get one for £10,000 or so, half of which we expect to cover through a grant. Although there are several other manufacturers of similar 3 tonne excavators it makes sense to stick to a model that we and all the visiting WRG drivers are familiar with and for which servicing, repairs and parts are locally available. The aim is to have this in use by August - but there I go again making predictions!

Phil Sharpe

THANK YOU MIKE & MAY My first report as Marketing Chairman must begin by saying thanks to my predecessor Mike Brown. Mike has carried out the role for four years and over that time the Group, under his leadership, has raised considerable sums of money for the Trust. But the purpose of the Group is twofold and the value of the publicity it generates can never be fully realised. Throughout this time Mike has been assisted by May Brown who has kept the notes of the meetings and arranged venues etc. Both are taking a rest from the front line but they will continue to be seen working at the various shows and festivals we attend.

So what have we been up to? Well, the festival and show season is in full swing and the marketing team have been very busy.

AGM 23 April As usual we had a Trust stand at the AGM; this gives members the opportunity to see what we have to offer and to purchase new t-shirts, sweatshirts, etc. It is also the chance to meet the members and appeal for new volunteers.

Huddlesford May Day Gathering 30 April-1 May
This joint event with Lichfield Cruising Club replaced the traditional Easter Coffee Morning which has been held at the home of Eric & Doreen Wood for many years. It was a successful and enjoyable event for both the Club and the Trust. The weekend raised £1120 for the Trust. This included over £200 from the Saturday evening auction conducted by our President, Eric Wood. Thanks to everyone who helped with the organising, baking cakes, manning stalls, providing bric-a-brac, etc, not forgetting our barbecue chefs. Sunday evening entertainment by Black Country comedian, David Bartley and folk band, Claret was much enjoyed.