Boats have returned to the section of the Wey & Arun Canal by the Onslow Arms in Loxwood for the first time in nearly 9 months. The Canal Trust's trip boat 'John Smallpeice' made the first test voyage on Sunday 11th March 2007.

This section of canal was temporarily closed for phase 2 of the 3-phase project to reinstate the canal crossing under the main road in Loxwood. The Canal Trust have rebuilt Brewhurst Lock at a lower level, in order to allow headroom for a new bridge without disturbing the road level. Volunteers carried out the majority of the work on the lock and the tests on Sunday 11th demonstrated that it is in fully working order. As part of the work, the team lengthened the lock so that it can now accommodate both of the Trust's trip boats at the same time.

Two final steps were needed to allow boats to reach the Onslow Arms again. Firstly, the Trust's contractors Penfold Verrall removed the earth bank that had been installed across the canal as a defence against flooding, using a 20-tonne excavator and a 'bog dozer' that pushed the excavated material into a shallow depression alongside the canal. Then, finally, Trust volunteers lifted out the planks that had kept the lock itself dry during construction work.

Starting on Saturday 31st March, public boat trips will operate every Saturday and Sunday afternoon and on Bank Holiday Mondays. The Trust hope that work on phase 3 of the £1.2 million crossing project will begin later this year. This will enable the new lock on the other side of the road, built largely by volunteers during 2006, to be brought into use. At the moment the new lock is known simply as 'Loxwood New Lock', but the Trust are open to suggestions for a new name from anyone who would like to make a suitably generous contribution to the work.

A major task that is just starting is replanting and landscaping the area ready for the Spring. The Trust's new conservation officer, Michael Joseph, has been asked to assist in the planting to make this public site a showcase of habitat revival. Michael says 'it is important for the Trust that we use only native seeds of British origin in our plant scheme and I'm looking forward to planting over 200 primroses, as well as more unusual species.'

Further information and photographs in the form of JPEG files can be obtained from the Wey & Arun Trust's Public Relations Officer: Sally Schupke (01483 560543): email: pr@weyandarun.co.uk

For general information on the work of the Wey and Arun Canal Trust, please telephone the Trust office on 01403 752403.