Additionally, provision is being made for stop planks to be inserted at the western (Loxwood) side of the abutments to allow the neighbouring sections of the canal to be drained for maintenance etc as and when required.
Lottery funding for The Missing Link
We are delighted to report that for the first time in the canal's restoration, the Trust has received Lottery funding which will cover most of the cost of Phase 2 of the LLEP Project. The Countryside Agency, which administers the Local Heritage Initiative in partnership with the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Nationwide Building Society’s Community Award, has agreed to make available £20,000 towards the estimated total cost of around £25,000 for Phase 2.
This grant was conditional on a number of schools taking part in a competition based on learning about the canal’s history and its effect on the local environment, and so far seven schools have indicated their intention to become involved. Study Projects have already been completed by Loxwood School and St Catherine’s School, Bramley and show an incredibly high standard of work and knowledge of the subject.
This educational opportunity arose from the generous funding by P&O Stena Line of a glossy booklet about the canal which was coupled with a CD-ROM. Copies may be obtained from the Trust’s Office for £15.00 (inc. p&p). Additionally, P&O Stena Line has provided gifts for all the children taking part, and a number of Car and Family Tickets to France for the teachers of the winning classes. The Project complies with the Key Stage 2 curriculum and the Trust would be very happy to provide further details to any other schools interested in taking part.
Rapid Progress
Even though this is turning into one of our damper summers, following that terribly wet winter, work on Phase 2 is going ahead very rapidly. This work is being undertaken almost entirely by WACT’s volunteers with only a very limited amount of professional assistance. The extension of the canal’s banks has been completed and the abutments for the Heavy Plant Crossing are in place, the planks being expected on site any time now. The aim is to complete the Phase 2 work before the Opening of the waterway underneath the Bridge on 20 September.
Slipway
At the same time as Phase 2 is being progressed, the Trust had hoped to build a new slipway into the winding hole which marks the present terminus of the canal, coupled with an approach road to enable it to be accessed from Drungewick Lane. The slipway is needed to allow Zachariah Keppel and other boats to be hauled up for inspections and maintenance, as well as to permit visiting boats to be launched onto the canal whenever required - for example for the Trust’s annual Small Boat Rally.
The slipway does not actually form part of Phase 2 of the Loxwood Link Extension Project, even though it is happening at a neighbouring site, and therefore it has to be funded separately. The estimated cost is about £20,000, of which we have already raised some 75%. The balance of around £5,000 is now being sought from several prospective donors.
Because work is continuing on Phase 2 of the LLEP to date the Trust has effected only basic clearance of the slipway and its approach road. However, it is considered that this project can be undertaken during the winter months if necessary, and those concerned are confident of completing the construction by the Spring of 2002.
What About That Aqueduct?
This is very much in the thoughts of the Trust’s Directors because building it is the only way to achieve a through waterway link to the South. Like the bridge, the aqueduct will have to be built by contractors because, while WACT’s members have the necessary skills, they cannot devote sufficient time to the job to get it finished in the limited period of dry weather - should that ever occur! All the necessary Planning and other Permissions have been obtained - all that we need now is the money!
The latest estimate is that the Aqueduct will cost close to £400,000. We have already raised, or identified the source of, over 40% of this amount. Further, earlier this month WACT submitted an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund for major funding to support this project. Of course neither the good start which has been made to this fundraising nor the hope of Lottery Funding should allow us to slacken our efforts to raise money because if the Lottery application is successful then a further £240,000 has been provisionally estimated as the amount needed to reopen the full 6 miles of waterway from Loxwood High Street to the A272 at Newbridge.
For any further information please contact -
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