Waterways link could create hundreds of new berths
This shows the extent of the proposed Fens Waterways Link
Outline planning permission has been approved for a multi-million pound project that could ultimately see a new navigable waterway created linking several cathedral cities in the UK with hundreds of moorings for recreational craft, says David Foxwell
Described as the largest waterways enhancement project in Europe, the scheme would open up 240km of waterway and could cost £150 million. It has been warmly welcomed by organisations such as the Inland Waterways Association (IWA).
The Environment Agency (EA) in the UK says the project will provide a focus for economic regeneration in the area and will ultimately involve five major economic centres consisting of a major navigation hub with extensive moorings, boat repair yards, shopping opportunities, restaurants and bars, media centres and accommodation; along with six "intermediate hubs", consisting of a minor navigation hub with moorings for between 20 and 40 boats, and 10 minor hubs, with secure mooring facilities for up to 10 boats, with washout facilities.
The Link will not be built in one go, however. Described by the EA as "the most exciting new waterway project in the UK for two centuries", the whole project would take at least a decade to complete and, as Candy Reed, a recreation officer closely involved with the project explained to BB, the aim is to complete the project in stages, complementing other waterways projects in the region, forging new links between the existing stretches of navigable waterway and creating what the EA describes as "a seamless loop of opportunity."
"Based firmly on the twin pillars of economic development and social inclusion, The Link will provide a focus for new investment and provide employment opportunities in an area in need of diversification, both in a rural and urban context, " noted the EA in a recent statement, adding what it called a "network of desirable waterside locations will be created, attractive and suitable for mixed residential development and business alike."
The resulting focal points will often be marina orientated, will vary in size and be influenced by their location and proximity to centres of population.
Through combined increases in the number of boating visitors and those attracted to the waterside for activities such as bird watching, jogging, photography, picnicking and general relaxation, £14m revenue generation is expected each year and the EA believes that the link has the potential to attract as many as one million visitors per annum.
Moving ahead Speaking to BB in midNovember, John Adams, the EA's Waterways Development Manager in the Anglian region, explained that the project was "moving ahead quite quickly, " and that, in the immediate future, the aim was to get work under way on the initial phases of the overall project, in order to gain the credibility needed to bring subsequent phases of the project along.
The project that will form the first phase of the Fens Waterways' Link will be the Boston Link, a scheme that has synergies with the strategic options that are being considered as part of the Boston Haven Flood Management Strategy.
All of the options being considered for this project at the moment provide a navigable link between the River Witham and South Forty Foot drain in Boston.
Good news about this particular project came recently when outline planning permission was obtained for the preferred engineering option, enabling the EA to press on with an Environmental Impact Assessment.
As Adams told BB, around £8m will be required to carry out this part of the project initially, with the funds likely to come from the EA, local authorities and from Europe.
"Early next year we should have a lot more feedback on the project, and hope we will be in a position to let a contract for elements of the work involved towards the end of 2006. The initial phases of the Boston project could take until 2008 to complete, with the combined strategy, including the flood defences, taking around five years to complete, " he said.
Dave Cornell, chairman of the Lincolnshire branch of the organisation's Lincolnshire branch, told BB the IWA was "very much in favour of the project".
Cornell explained Lincolnshire Country Council, the EA and British Waterways (BW) have been working together to address the development and regeneration of waterways in Lincolnshire for some time and together had brought about a major improvement in boating facilities in the county in the last two or three years.
"A lot has been achieved in the last couple of years, " Cornell explained, noting that more work was being planned, with studies now underway on re-opening the Sleeford and Horncastle navigations, and that the IWA, at branch and national level, would continue to put up funds for projects in the country and more widely that would ultimately form part of the Fens Waterways Link.
The Fens Waterways Link obviously isn't going to happen overnight and as Adams noted, everyone involved in the project recognises that, if it's going to happen, it will be important to bring a degree of pragmatism to bear on the project as well as the strategic vision.
Decade long projects Although the EA is talking about a decade-long series of projects to see the Fens Waterways Link completed, such is the size and scope of the Fens Waterways "vision" that it could take 10-20 years and ultimately much will depend on how and when funding for individual elements of the project can be obtained.
The implementation plan has been published and is available on a CD, booklet or the web. The technical reports that sit behind the plan are only available on CD or the web. Collectively the suite of information explores in detail the feasibility of the link and establishes which direction the scheme needs to be taken.
To access the information on the web, go to www.fenswaterways.com or e-mail: waterwayslink@environmentagency.gov.uk, or write to: Fens Waterways Link, c/o The Waterways Team, Kingfisher House, Goldhay Way, Orton Goldhay, Peterborough, PE2 5ZR.
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