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Pennine Waterways Newsletters 81 - 92

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P e n n i n e W a t e r w a y s N e w s l e t t e r # 8 1
D e c e m b e r 1 2 t h 2 0 0 5
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Welcome to the latest e-mail newsletter from Pennine Waterways!
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New Television Series about North West Canals

Television presenter Fred Talbot will present a new television series about North West canals to be screened in the New Year. The 10-part series, called Locks and Quays, will be shown on ITV in the Granada region, starting on Thursday 5th January at 7.30 pm.

For pictures and details of the programmes see www.penninewaterways.co.uk/news/news2006.htm#locksquays
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Rochdale Canal News

At long last, British Waterways have announced their plans for the repair of the Irk Aqueduct at Chadderton on the Rochdale Canal. The canal has been closed at that point since the embankment breached in April 2005. Work to rebuild the embankment is to start in January and is expected to take 20 weeks.

More details at www.penninewaterways.co.uk/news/news2005.htm#irk
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Huddersfield Narrow Canal News

Major repairs are being made to Scout Embankment, on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal between Stalybridge and Mossley. The 600 metre embankment, just south of Scout Tunnel, has suffered from minor leaks in the past which have been patched up temporarily. The current work, which will cost £1.3 million, involves the installation of new canal bed lining and the construction of new wash walls. Cavities in the embankment caused by leaks are to be filled with grouting. In addition, the towpath alongside this section of canal will be upgraded. The work will be completed by March 17th.

More details and photos at www.penninewaterways.co.uk/news/news2006.htm#scout
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Leeds and Liverpool Canal News

Dowley Gap Aqueduct, south-east of Bingley, is having major repairs this winter. The work includes a new channel lining to prevent water escaping through leaks in the canal bed that have been causing damage to the structure's stonework.

More details at www.penninewaterways.co.uk/news/news2005.htm#dowleygap
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Wakefield Waterfront News

There are plans to transform a 10 acre area of Wakefield's waterfront, adjoining the River Calder and Wakefield Flood Lock, into a mix of office, residential and leisure buildings and a new £20 million Hepworth Art Gallery.

More details at www.penninewaterways.co.uk/news/news2006.htm#wakefield
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Accolade for Pennine Waterways!

Pennine Waterways website has been awarded Waterways World magazine's prestigious title of "Site of the Month" for January 2006. This is the second time the site has had this honour, as it was also the first to hold the title when the series began in January 2001. WW's Jim Shead concludes his review of the site with the words, "Five years on, Pennine Waterways is still at the top of its game." Thank you, Jim!

The site continues to develop and, I hope, improve. The latest addition has been a virtual cruise from Wigan to Manchester along the Leigh Branch of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal and the Bridgewater Canal.
See www.penninewaterways.co.uk/ll/ll95.htm
In the next few weeks the oldest part of the website, the virtual cruise of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, is to be completely revised.

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P e n n i n e W a t e r w a y s N e w s l e t t e r # 8 2
F e b r u a r y 2 4 t h 2 0 0 6
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Welcome to the latest e-mail newsletter from Pennine Waterways!
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Rochdale Canal News

Work has finally started on the repair of the breach alongside the Irk Aqueduct at Chadderton on the Rochdale Canal. The canal has been closed at that point since the embankment breached in April 2005. The big hole is being filled with crushed stone. A concrete channel will be built across the aqueduct, the structure of which was not affected by the breach. The channel will be lined for some distance each side of the aqueduct. Work is expected to be completed and that section of canal re-opened by June 2006.

More details and new photos at www.penninewaterways.co.uk/news/news2005.htm#irk"
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Huddersfield Narrow Canal News

Major repairs are nearing completion at Scout Embankment, on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal between Stalybridge and Mossley. The 600 metre embankment, just south of Scout Tunnel, had suffered from minor leaks. A new canal bed lining has been laid and new wash walls constructed. The work will be completed by March 17th.

More details and new Photos at www.penninewaterways.co.uk/news/news2006.htm#scout
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Standedge Visitor Centre

British Waterways has announced plans to re-open Standedge Visitor Centre as part of a £150,000 scheme. The York-based Continuum Group has been brought in to revitalise the centre, which was opened by Prince Charles in 2001, but closed in 2005 following a decline in visitor numbers. Admission to the centre will be free, with visitors just paying for boat trips into the tunnel. The boat trips are to be run five days a week between Easter and October (not Mondays and Fridays) and "enhanced" by lighting, sound and costumes. Tunnel End Cottages will remain open offering cafe facilities.
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The Bradford Canal

Plans have now been submitted for a big re-development near the centre of Bradford which would include a new canal basin. This could lead to the restoration of the three mile canal from the Leeds and Liverpool at Shipley. It would require a new route for the last mile into the city as the original route is largely built over. Keep an eye open for new pages, which will appear on this website in the next few weeks, showing photographs of the Bradford Canal's route.
See www.penninewaterways.co.uk/bradford ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ashton Canal News

The "New Islington" development alongside Lock 2 of the Ashton Canal is taking shape quickly. New navigable waterway channels have been constructed, which will form focal points in the development. It was originally anticipated that a through route would be created between the Ashton and the Rochdale canals, but this will not now be possible because of the high cost of diverting optic fibre cables that run along Old Mill Street.
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A date for your Diary

The fifth waterway festival at Skipton on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal will have the theme "Skipton by the Sea". It is to be held on the May Bank Holiday weekend, Saturday 29th, April to Monday 1st May. Last year's festival was enjoyed by around 8000 visitors.
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Pennine Waterways Newsletter

News about this newsletter now! The number of subscribers to the newsletter has passed the 1000 mark for the first time, with 1006 users registered. I hope you will all continue to find these emails useful.

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P e n n i n e W a t e r w a y s N e w s l e t t e r # 8 3
M a r c h 3 1 s t 2 0 0 6
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Welcome to the latest e-mail newsletter from Pennine Waterways!
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Legging Standedge Tunnel!

An attempt to leg Standedge Tunnel in each direction is to be made by members of the Horseboating Society on 7th and 14th May. On 7th May, the historic boat "Maria" will be legged eastwards from Diggle to Marsden, with the return journey being made on May 14th.

More details and photos at www.penninewaterways.co.uk/news/legging2006.htm
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The Bradford Canal

I have now added a new section about the Bradford Canal to the website. The 3 mile canal branched off the Leeds and Liverpool Canal at Shipley. There are now proposals to re-open the canal.
See www.penninewaterways.co.uk/bradford ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Pennine Waterways website news

The "virtual cruise" along the Huddersfield Narrow and Huddersfield Broad Canals has been completely revised, with many new photos being added and older photos being improved. These were among the first pages on Pennine Waterways website, with some photos dating from 1998, so the revision was long due!.
See www.penninewaterways.co.uk/huddersfield ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Huddersfield Narrow Canal / Leeds and Liverpool Canal News

Major repairs at Scout Embankment, on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal between Stalybridge and Mossley have now been completed and the canal is open once again. Major repairs to Dowley Gap Aqueduct on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal are due to be completed by today.
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Further Waterside Developments

The attraction of canals as a feature of redevelopment continues with two recent announcements of waterside schemes.

A scheme in Leeds to build offices, flats, a hotel, bars and restaurants around the Canal Basin opposite Granary Wharf has attracted opposition from Leeds Civic Trust, English Heritage and Friends of the Earth. The site, between the canal and the railway, could see three multi-storey blocks, including a 22-storey circular tower.

Meanwhile, in Burnley, there are plans to regenerate two canalside mills close to the Weavers' Triangle area to the south of the town centre. Healey Royd Mill could be converted into 52 apartments and nearby Finsley Gate Mill into commercial space. 65 town houses and apartments could spring up on the land around Healey Royd Mill.

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P e n n i n e W a t e r w a y s N e w s l e t t e r # 8 4
M a y 1 6 t h 2 0 0 6
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Welcome to the latest e-mail newsletter from Pennine Waterways!
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Newsletter 83 - an apology

Due to a technical malfunction, Newsletter number 83 was sent out several times. There were also several blank messages sent out, apparently. I had sent the newsletter in the usual way - it seems that the problem was with the Messagebot service that I have used for years for distributing the newsletter. I apologise for the nuisance of these extra messages.

I am now using another means of sending the newsletter to you, but this has meant that the newsletter is a week later than intended. This is the first newsletter sent out using the new system, so I hope this reaches you without problems!
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Legging Standedge Tunnel!

Standedge Tunnel has been legged for the first time in 59 years! On 7th May, members of The Horseboating Society legged the historic narrowboat Maria through the 3.25 mile tunnel in 2 hours 52 minutes. They were followed by a team legging a BW boat to raise money for the Forget Me Not Trust.
More details and photos at www.penninewaterways.co.uk/news/legging2006.htm

On 14th May, Maria was legged back from Marsden to Diggle by just one person! 35 year old Nigel Dix propelled the boat through unaided in 3 hours and 3 minutes! he was followed by a team legging a BW boat to raise money for Kirkwood Hospice.
More details and photos at www.penninewaterways.co.uk/news/legging2006.htm#nigel

Maria belongs to Ashton Packet Boat Company, who have carefully restored her. Built in 1854, she is the oldest surviving wooden narrowboat. The Horseboating Society took Maria, horsedrawn, from Ashton to Huddersfield and back. Photos of this journey will appear on Pennine Waterways in a few days.
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Rochdale Canal - Irk Aqueduct

Repairs to the embankment next to the Irk Aqueduct, where last year's breach occurred, are proceeding well and should be complete by the end of May. The canal is expected to re-open by mid June. Photographs of the work at the end of April are at:
www.penninewaterways.co.uk/news/news2005.htm#irk
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Huddersfield Canal News

The Diggle end of Standedge Tunnel has been brightened by the installation of new gates across the tunnel portal, with a design depicting tunnel leggers. See www.penninewaterways.co.uk/news/news2006.htm#diggle

British Waterways has been experimenting with a relaxing of the restrictions on boats coming up the Marsden flight on the east side of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. Previously, only boats booked to pass through the tunnel were allowed past Lock 32e. Now boaters may book a passage up the flight, moor on the summit pound at Marsden for up to 48 hours, then return down the flight. Boats booked to pass through the tunnel may also stay at Marsden for up to 48 hours. This is for a trial period which may be extended if it has not caused problems with water supply. Phone 01977 554351 to enquire about bookings. Advance booking essential. See the BW website www.standedge.co.uk for latest information.
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Margaret Fletcher

It is with sadness that I report the death on 6th May of Margaret Fletcher. Margaret was chairman of the North West region of the IWA and has been chairman of the Manchester Bolton and Bury Canal Society for nearly 20 years. Her husband John, national chairman of IWA, described her as "relentless and energetic" and, indeed, she had remained active until very recently. her funeral was today (16th May).

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P e n n i n e W a t e r w a y s N e w s l e t t e r # 8 5
J u l y 1 0 t h 2 0 0 6
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Welcome to the latest e-mail newsletter from Pennine Waterways!
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Rochdale Canal: Good News but also More Woes

Last month, after being closed for some 15 months, the Irk Aqueduct re-opened and boats could once more navigate the whole length of the Rochdale Canal.
See www.penninewaterways.co.uk/news/news2005.htm#irk for photos.

However, this was not to last long, and at the time of writing, the Rochdale Canal is currently closed at 4 locations! Severe thunderstorms on July 2nd resulted in floods which swept tonnes of soil and boulders into the canal between Locks 11 and 12, just west of Hebden Bridge.
See www.penninewaterways.co.uk/news/news2006a.htm#floods for photos.

The storms also caused a 40 metre section of embankment to slip into the canal between Locks 18 and 19 in the centre of Todmorden. A week later and BW are still unable to give a date for these sections to be passable although it is known that a dredger has been in operation at Todmorden, clearing that blockage.

On Saturday morning, 8th July, BW had to close the canal between Locks 73 and 78 in the Miles Platting area after vandals had de-watered all the pounds. This section remains closed today. In addition, the police have closed the pound between Locks 81 and 82 in Ancoats while they carry out investigations after a man's body was found in the water.

All of these stoppages are likely to be re-opened within the next few days. Boaters intending to use the canal should contact BW on 01942 405700 for the latest news on the situation. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Vandalism Elsewhere

It is sad to see that vandalism on the canals in the area is becoming widespread. Just over a week ago, the Huddersfield Narrow Canal was closed for several days between Huddersfield and Milnsbridge after vandals had de-watered a number of pounds. BW believe that the culprits had a windlass and anti-vandal key.

There have been problems too on the Wigan lock flight of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal where youngsters, again armed with windlass and anti-vandal key, had opened paddles to create strong waves to blast their friends who were treading water in the canal, creating a surfing effect. This was reported by the Manchester Evening News (see http://tinyurl.com/qa3d5) and I wonder whether such reports might have given ideas to the youngsters who drained the Rochdale Canal at Miles Platting.

One thing that links these incidents is that the culprits seem to have acquired windlasses and anti-vandal keys. It is possible that they may have been stolen from boats. They may have even been taken from the roof or stern of a boat while the boater was looking elsewhere.

Another concern about the youngsters swimming in front of paddles that are opened, such as has been happening at Wigan, is that the white water is caused by air being mixed with the water. This aerated water is less dense and has a lower buoyancy, making it more difficult for swimmers to stay afloat and increasing their risk of drowning.
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Leeds and Liverpool Canal News

Work will be starting shortly to create British Waterways' bold new link between Stanley Dock and Albert Dock in Liverpool, extending the Leeds and Liverpool Canal through the former docks area and past the Pier Head to one of the city's most popular tourist venues.

However, the scheme has hit choppy waters after BW announced plans for a small change in the route. The new proposal would move the route a short distance to the east at Trafalgar Dock and would then involve West Waterloo Dock being filled in with the spoil from the channel excavated across the Pier Head. However, residents of nearby Waterloo Quay are unhappy as their apartments currently overlook the dock. They claim the area will look unsightly during the years it would take for the land to settle and fear that the site will eventually be built on. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Huddersfield Canal News: More Trains

Good news for anyone who might be planning to walk the towpath of the Huddersfield Narrow in the future: a new two-hourly Sunday train service is to be introduced from December, stopping at Huddersfield, Slaithwaite, Marsden, Greenfield, Stalybridge and Ashton (then on to Manchester), which will make it easier to walk from point to point along the canal. At present, Sunday services only stop at Huddersfield and Stalybridge. Weekday stopping trains are hourly.

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P e n n i n e W a t e r w a y s N e w s l e t t e r # 8 6
A u g u s t 3 r d 2 0 0 6
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Welcome to the latest e-mail newsletter from Pennine Waterways!
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Rochdale Canal: Will the problems never end?

In July, I reported how the Rochdale Canal, after being closed for 15 months at the Irk Aqueduct, had then re-opened along its whole length only to be closed later by two landslides in Yorkshire and vandalism in Manchester.

Hardly had these problems been resolved when the Rochdale Canal curse struck once again! On July 25th, BW had to close the eastern end of the Rochdale Canal between Locks 1 and 5 at Sowerby Bridge. This was due to a recurrence of a problem involving water supply to the long pound above Tuel Lane deep lock. This lock replaced the two original locks there and is the deepest canal lock in the country, so uses two normal lockfuls of water for each locking. This is compensated for by pumping water from the river at Luddenden Foot into the pound above the lock. However, in times of drought, BW is required to cease pumping this water, hence the low pound. Temporary back pumping has been in place and BW is expecting to re-open the canal on Saturday. Boaters wishing to use this section must book their passage first on 01942 405700.

I am told that there are no plans at present to install a permanent back-pumping arrangement at Tuel Lane to prevent this situation from arising each year.

Low water levels are starting to cause problems throughout the canal system.
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Historic Boats at Bugsworth

A collection of Historic Narrow Boats will gather at Bugsworth Basin on the Peak Forest Canal on 5th and 6th August. Members of the Historic Narrow Boat Owners' Association will meet at Marple on 4th August and travel in convoy to Bugsworth Basin at the end of the Peak Forest Canal for a special gathering. The unique setting of the basins will form a perfect backdrop to these historic boats.
See www.penninewaterways.co.uk/news/news2006a.htm#boatgathering
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Roses and Castles at Standedge

You can learn how to paint in the traditional narrowboat style at a special workshop being held at Standedge Visitor Centre on 5th and 6th August.
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New Marina being built at Greenfield

Work has started on a new marina which is being built alongside the Huddersfield Narrow Canal below Lock 21w at Greenfield. The Frenches Wharf site will include homes, restaurant, a small Tesco store, moorings for up to 18 boats and possibly a chandlery shop.
See www.penninewaterways.co.uk/news/news2006a.htm#greenfield
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Pennine Waterways Website News: Get the news faster with RSS!

Pennine Waterways Newsletter is only sent out at roughly monthly intervals, which is fine for many of its 1050 readers. But, if you want to find out what is happening straight away, I am offering a new service - an RSS news feed. You can read more about RSS and how to get Pennine Waterways' news feed on this page:
www.penninewaterways.co.uk/rss.htm

You can use a stand-alone news feed program or receive the feed with your web browser. Each item displays as a headline, a brief outline of what it is about and a link to click if you want to find out more.

I have also changed the provider of the newsletter service as the free service I had used previously seems to have completely broken down. If you wish to change the email address to which the newsletter is sent, please go to www.penninewaterways.co.uk/pw-list/index.htm where you can cancel your subscription and then re-join using your new address. Use that page also if you just wish to leave the list. There are also links there to all previous newsletters, should you wish to refer back to something.
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P e n n i n e W a t e r w a y s N e w s l e t t e r # 8 7
S e p t e m b e r 2 4 t h 2 0 0 6
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Welcome to the latest e-mail newsletter from Pennine Waterways!
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Manchester Bolton and Bury Canal News:

I receive many emails asking about progress on the Manchester Bolton and Bury Canal, which seems to have stopped. The good news is that things are likely to start moving again shortly!

Exploratory excavations on the site being developed at Middlewood, Salford, revealed an unexpected snag. The first two locks (which formed a staircase) from the River Irwell needed to be re-located further north because of the construction of Trinity Way. However, a major Victorian sewer has been found, at a point where the canal should have come through 18 feet below the present ground level.

It has been necessary to re-design the canal through this section and the result is to be the construction of a single deep lock, which will be nearly as deep as Tuel Lane Lock on the Rochdale Canal. The third lock will remain in its historic position next to East Ordsall Lane. The pounds above these locks will be kept at a constant level by back-pumping.

Work is expected to start this month.

More at www.penninewaterways.co.uk/mbb
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Huddersfield's "Waterfront" Quarter" gets go-ahead!

Kirklees Council has given approval to the revised plans to re-develop the Sellers Engineering site in Huddersfield. The new plans will involve re-locating Lock 3e back almost to its original position, bringing the canal back up to ground level through the site. A towpath will enable pedestrians to walk right Through to Chapel Hill.

See www.penninewaterways.co.uk/news/news2006a.htm#waterfront2
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Minor Stoppages

During August and September there have been several minor stoppages on the canals around the area.

Forge Lock Staircase, west of Leeds, had to be closed for repairs to the gates of the middle lock. Lock 51 of the Rochdale Canal (Blue Pit Lock, Castleton) had to be closed for 3 days for emergency repairs to the tailgate cill. On the Peak Forest Canal, Marple Locks were closed twice for emergency repairs to locks. The Rochdale Canal was closed for a couple of days at Lock 51 in Miles Platting for a "police investigation". The "Rochdale Nine" in Manchester was closed for several days to repair damage to the cill of Tib Lock (89). On the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, Barrowford Locks were closed for one day to repair damaged tailgates. The Huddersfield Narrow was closed in Mossley for one day after vandals drained a long pound.

It seems possible to me that some of these problems may have been caused by boaters colliding with gates. I wonder whether this is due to a lack of skill or a lack of patience?

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Water Supply

On the positive side, it seems that the water supply situation in the area is improving.

In August, British Waterways imposed restricted opening hours for the locks between Barrowford and Gargrave on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. These restrictions have now been lifted. Water is still being back-pumped up the locks in Sowerby Bridge on the Rochdale Canal although BW say that this is not a permanent measure.

Reservoirs supplying the area's canals are filling up again, with the Leeds and Liverpool's reservoirs increasing from 45% capacity in August to 47% in September. The Peak Forest and Macclesfield reservoirs increased from 56% to 61% in that time and the Huddersfield Narrow from 64% to 84%!

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Bradford Canal News:

Proposals to re-open the canal from Shipley to Bradford have been given a boost when Bradford was chosen as one of four areas to take part in a pilot project aimed at attracting private-sector investment into deprived neighbourhoods. The scheme aims to attract investment to support the reopening of the Bradford Canal and encourage regeneration along the route. The canal could attract up to £470 million of investment, creating nearly 6,000 jobs and 5,000 homes.

The southern section of the canal would follow a new route on the west side of the valley to a new basin near Forster Square.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott visited Bradford to see the plans himself. He commented: "This won't just bring water to Bradford - it will bring investment, housing, jobs and a new prosperity."

See www.penninewaterways.co.uk/bradford
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Pennine Waterways Website News:

Some new pages have been added to the site giving a photo tour of the proposed route of the Liverpool Canal Link, which will connect the Leeds and Liverpool Canal with the Albert Dock. Work on the link is expected to start shortly.

See www.penninewaterways.co.uk/ll/liverpool-link.htm ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Get the news faster with RSS!

Another reminder that you can get news from Pennine Waterways as it comes in with the site's RSS news feed. You can read more about RSS and how to get Pennine Waterways' news feed on this page:
www.penninewaterways.co.uk/rss.htm
You can easily view the feed with your web browser, or you can use a stand- alone news feed program. Each item displays as a headline, a brief outline of what it is about and a link to click if you want to find out more. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Previous newsletters can be viewed in an archive: www.penninewaterways.co.uk/pw-list If you wish to change the address to which newsletters are sent, please visit that page, un-subscribe from your old address, then re-subscribe with your new one.

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P e n n i n e W a t e r w a y s N e w s l e t t e r # 8 8
O c t o b e r 1 1 t h 2 0 0 6
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Welcome to the latest e-mail newsletter from Pennine Waterways!
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Could funding cuts lead to canals being closed?

Back in August, Pennine Waterways web site reported that British Waterways faced a crippling cut in its funding as a result of DEFRA's incompetence with its farm subsidies.
[see the article here: www.penninewaterways.co.uk/news/news2006a.htm#funding ]

The full implications of this serious funding shortfall are now becoming clear.

It is reported that BW is considering pulling the plug on canal restoration schemes such as the Lancaster Canal Northern Reaches and the Manchester Bolton and Bury Canal.

It is further reported that BW may have to close some canals.

In an article in the Sunday Telegraph newspaper, BW's Eugene Baston is quoted as saying "We are being penalised for Defra's incompetence. If we can't maintain the waterways, we can't keep them open."

The Sunday Telegraph article states that BW "is now preparing to shelve plans to re-open 60 miles of previously closed waterways in the North-West of England", then claimed that "three of the first canals expected to close" were the Rochdale, Ashton and Peak Forest Canals.
[read article here: www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/10/01/ncanals01.xml ]

However, BW's Eugene Baston told Pennine Waterways this week:"BW doesn't have a list of waterways it intends to close down because of this shortfall in Defra funding and the report in the Sunday Telegraph was not accurate when it named the three waterways in question.

"What is clear however is that nothing can be ruled out into the future. And that is a future not of just next week, or next month, or even next year, it's a medium term future, because Defra's current thinking will affect waterways into the medium term future.

"With a possible shortfall of up to £60m over the next five years (rightly budgeted for in BW's medium term plans for continuing improvements to the waterways), serious consequences from underfunding cannot be underestimated. BW has been unable to rule any options out since the extent of the current cuts and those forecast for future years have been known. Job losses have already occurred, as has a scale back of £5.5m in maintenance over the coming winter period. The future of the existing network and the prospects for future restoration schemes must be seen in a dim light at the present time."

Earlier this week BW made it known that 180 jobs were to be lost by next April.

While it is comforting to know that the three canals named in the newspaper have not been earmarked for closure by BW, they must be considered to be more at threat than some other waterways. Fewer boats and businesses would be affected by the closure of these canals compared with many others, so some apprehension must remain.

It has been suggested that if any further catastrophe were to befall the Rochdale Canal, then funding for the necessary repairs will not be available.

The Telegraph repeated its speculation about the Rochdale, Ashton and Peak Forest Canals today:
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/10/11/ncanal111.xml

Meanwhile, various groups and organisations have started campaigning to have BW's lost funding re-instated. A new website has been created to help ordinary boaters, walkers, canal users and enthusiasts to play a part in fighting against the cuts.

Please take some time to visit www.saveourwaterways.org to find out more about the situation and how you can help. The website is new and changing daily so please check it from time to time.

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Huddersfield Bridge Vanishes

A familiar bridge in Huddersfield has gone - for now!

The low-arched wooden footbridge which spanned the Huddersfield Broad Canal at Aspley basin for the last 25 years has been taken down. It was lifted from its abutments by crane and dismantled on the canal side. The bridge had been suffering from rot and has been closed to pedestrians for around five months.

It is to be replaced with a similar-looking bridge in November. The replacement will be constructed of treated timber and is expected to cost over £150,000 , paid for by Whitbreads, the brewery, owners of The Aspley pub.

Photos: www.penninewaterways.co.uk/news/roundup.htm#aspleybridge

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Change to Liverpool Link scheme turned down

This week, Liverpool's city planners have turned down a bid by BW to change its plans for the Liverpool Canal Link, which will connect the Leeds and Liverpool Canal via the Pier Head to Albert Dock. The canal link has already been approved, but BW had applied to alter the scheme by filling in West Waterloo Dock apart from a navigable channel, using spoil from excavating the channel across the Pier Head. Local residents fear that housing could eventually be built on the infilled dock. The proposal was turned down because it would mean a loss of heritage. BW will have to review the situation along with owners of the dock Peel Holdings. If an appeal against the decision is made, the scheme seems unlikely to be completed by 2008 as planned, in time for the city's year as European Capital of Culture.

A photo tour of the route of the link can be seen at:
www.penninewaterways.co.uk/ll/liverpool-link.htm

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P e n n i n e W a t e r w a y s N e w s l e t t e r # 8 9
N o v e m b e r 1 3 t h 2 0 0 6
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Welcome to the latest e-mail newsletter from Pennine Waterways!
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Campaign against the DEFRA cuts

In last month's Newsletter, I reported on the huge budget cuts that DEFRA has imposed on British Waterways this year. This has already resulted in the loss of 180 jobs at BW and further cuts are still a possibility. The lower level of funding could continue for years.

In the last few weeks, many people interested in our waterways have been active in campaigning against these cuts. A "Save Our Waterways" campaign group was set up and a website established to co-ordinate the efforts of all the groups involved: www.saveourwaterways.org

Ten national waterways organisations have agreed to work together to present a united front to Government ministers. Along with lobbying the hundreds of MPs who have a waterway within their constituency, the groups plan to arrange a number of public events that will encourage all fans of the waterways to join in the campaign for adequate public funding of the UK's historic network of canals and rivers.

The groups that are working together are (in alphabetical order):
- The Association of Waterways Cruising Clubs (AWCC)
- The British Canoe Union (BCU)
- The British Marine Federation (BMF)
- DBA The Barge Association
- The Historic Narrow Boat Owners Club (HNBOC)
- The Horseboating Society (HBS)
- The Inland Waterways Association (IWA)
- The National Association of Boat Owners (NABO)
- The Residential Boat Owners' Association (RBOA)
- The Royal Yachting Association (RYA)
(these external links all open in new windows)

The IWA, the major national voluntary organisation representing inland waterway users, has appointed consultants Waterway Images Ltd to assist with the organisation of its campaign and to co-ordinate the campaign that IWA is conducting through its nationwide branch network and work with other organisations.

The www.saveourwaterways.org website has details of planned demonstrations and advice on writing to MPs. Three Early Day Motions concerning waterway funding have been tabled in Parliament, with one receiving the signatures of 163 members by the time Parliament closed on 7th November.

Pressure from IWA secured an adjournment debate called "Impact of grant reductions on the work of British Waterways" for 8th November, but unfortunately this did not take place as the Parliamentary term ended.

Pressure can be kept up by writing to your MPs, and especially by asking them to ask particular questions of the minister, David Milliband, as MPs have a duty to do such things on your behalf, if asked.

Visit the www.saveourwaterways.org for the background to the present situation, for the latest news and for information on what you can do to help.

North West MP David Heyes took to the tiller on the Ashton Canal when he met boaters to find out more about the funding problems.
See: www.penninewaterways.co.uk/news/news2006b.htm#davidheyes
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More Problems for Plank Lane

Plank Lane Lift Bridge, on the Leeds and Liverpool canal near Leigh was closed again for a day after it had been hit by a vehicle. It was re-opened after inspections but could be restricted in times of high winds.
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Further Rochdale Canal Woes

The seemingly jinxed Rochdale Canal had three further brief closures recently.
The first affected Lock 51 (Blue Pits Lock) at Castleton, between Rochdale and Slattocks, where repairs to damage to the offside tailgate cill required a closure of one week in October.

On October 30th, high winds blew a tree down across the canal between Sowerby Bridge and Mytholmroyd. The canal was closed for two days while BW staff got busy with their chain saws.
On November 3rd, Lock 12, west of Hebden Bridge, was closed for 4 days to enable an emergancy repair to replace an offside damaged tailgate paddle.
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Marple Locks Restriction

Continuing problems with Lock 5, Marple, on the Peak Forest Canal, have led to restricted times on Marple Lock flight during the winter. The lock flight will be locked at 1.00 pm each afternoon and re-opened at 8.30 am until further notice.

Due to damage on the tail gate cills both ground and gate paddles need to be operated to fill the lock. BW has painted a red line which boats under 60' should stay downstream of. Crews of boats over 60' long must contact BW for assistance. BW has issued guidance for boaters using the locks, which can be seen here:
www.penninewaterways.co.uk/news/news2006b.htm#marple2
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Previous newsletters can be viewed in an archive:
www.penninewaterways.co.uk/pw-list
If you wish to change the address to which newsletters are sent, please visit that page, cancel your old address, then join again with your new one.

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P e n n i n e W a t e r w a y s N e w s l e t t e r # 9 0
N o v e m b e r 2 3 t h 2 0 0 6
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Welcome to the latest e-mail newsletter from Pennine Waterways!
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Macclesfield Canal

A new section has been added to Pennine Waterways covering the Macclesfield Canal, including a "Virtual Cruise" along this waterway:
www.penninewaterways.co.uk/macclesfield
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Campaign against the DEFRA cuts

As someone with an interest in waterways you may be willing to do what you can to assist the campaign protesting at the funding cuts to BW and EA by Defra. There are a number of ways you can get involved - some without leaving your chair!

You are encouraged to add your name to a new on-line E-Petition to Number 10 Downing Street. Follow this link to add your name:
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/SaveOurWaterways

This is in addition to signing the paper petition to Parliament that is currently being circulated.

As mentioned in previous newsletters a number of demonstrations against to curs in waterways funding are being arranged. Many of these will take place this coming weekend.

There will be events at the following locations in Northern England:
- Castlefield, Manchester, junction of Bridgewater and Rochdale Canal.
12.00 noon, Saturday 25th November.
- Skipton, North Yorkshire, Leeds and Liverpool Canal.
between 10.00 am and 4.00 pm, Saturday 25th November.
- Bugsworth, Derbyshire, terminus of Peak Forest Canal.
Flotilla starts from NCCC at High Lane 10.00 am, via Marple,
collecting boats on the way and arriving Bugsworth approx
2.00 pm, Saturday 25th November.
- Chester, Cow Lane Bridge, Shropshire Union Canal.
between 10.00 am and 5.00 pm, Saturday 25th November.
- Anderton, outside Visitor Centre, Trent and Mersey Canal.
10.00 am Saturday 25th until 3.00 pm Sunday 25th November.

For more information and contact numbers, see the
www.saveourwaterways.org website.

Three new Early Day Motions concerning waterway funding have been tabled in Parliament since the start of the new Parliamentary session. Even if you asked your MP to sign the previous motions (which lapsed when the old session of Parliament finished), you should ask them to sign these new ones, which are EDM50, EDM53 and EDM90.

Visit the www.saveourwaterways.org for the background to the present situation, for the latest news and for information on what you can do to help, including advice on contacting your MP.
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Rochdale restriction

A stoppage has been announced at Lock 24, Gauxholme Highest Lock, on the Rochdale Canal near Todmorden.

This is an emergency stoppage following damage to a heel post on the lock's tailgate.

British Waterways staff are currently assessing the scale of the damage and following investigations, an update will be issued on how long the work will take.
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Don't forget that you can receive notification of news as soon as it appears on Pennine Waterways website by using the RSS news feed service. See: www.penninewaterways.co.uk/rss.htm for details of how to do this.
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Previous newsletters can be viewed in an archive:
www.penninewaterways.co.uk/pw-list
If you wish to change the address to which newsletters are sent, please visit that page, cancel your old address, then join again with your new one.

There had been a problem with the coding for that function, following a server change, but this has now been rectified. If you tried to change the address to which newsletters are sent but got an error message, please try again now.