West
Vale Branch |
There has not been a great deal of activity on our patch this last month with little fresh progress at Steppingstone Lane Bridge and only grass cutting elsewhere. So it seems “on the surface” that little is going on! Far from it!
Starting at the junction with the Kennet & Avon Canal near Melksham where the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust has commissioned a study to confirm the route from the junction via Melksham to rejoin the original line. This study, costing nearly £50,000, will be used to ensure that the route is protected in the Local Plan and provide engineering solutions to some difficult challenges. The local residents and the Environment Agency have been extensively involved in determining the proposed route.
Moving up the line to Wootton Bassett, another study, this time costing over £10,000, is being carried out by British Waterways (BW) on behalf of the Trust, to determine the route from the restored and watered section at Templars Firs to rejoin the line to the south west of the town. Again, it is good to report that BW are getting very good co-operation from the local residents.
Moving up the line to Swindon, the Trust has commissioned a study to identify a route through the “Front Garden” to link up with the North Wilts canal to the north and our restored section to the east. This study was completed in April and Swindon Borough Council are using the recommended route in the Local Plan, to ensure it is protected. At the request of Swindon Borough Council, an additional study is being carried out by Arup to assess the feasibility of actually routing the canal back through the centre of Swindon! That would be really something!
BW are also in the process of completing a study the junction of the North Wilts Canal and the Thames & Seven Canal near Latton, to identify a route around Cricklade to meet up with the original line north of Swindon. Initial findings indicate a good route that is acceptable to both residents of Cricklade and the Trust.
To finish of this list of studies, invitations have just been sent out by the Trust, for a study at Abingdon to identify a route from the agreed new junction with the River Thames, to the original line just west of the A34. The Vale of White Horse District Council is being very supportive and will include the route identified in this study in their Local Plan.
This concerted effort by the Trust to identify and protect the full line of the canal, at a cost of over £100,000, is essential if our aim towards full restoration is to be realised.
For more information or to volunteer assistance please come along to one of our meetings held in the Shrivenham Bowls Club, Martens Road, on the second Wednesday of every month at 8 p.m. You will be made very welcome. For those with a computer and Internet access please visit our Branch Web Site at www.westvalecanal.org.uk.Orph Mable - Branch Project Co-ordinator
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