Nick Smith
Regeneration Manager

On 6th October it was announced by the Transition Trustees that the name for the new charity being established from April 2012 will be the Canal & River Trust (or Glandwr Cymru in Wales). This decision has been taken following extensive public and internal consultation and market research into the replacement for the name and symbol of “British Waterways”. They reflect the important step the Government is taking in creating a new successor organisation to hold the waterways in trust for the nation in perpetuity. The change also offers an opportunity to attract the attention of, and to appeal to, the wider public.

Multi-award winning design agency Pentagram provided free design consultancy to develop the new national charity’s name, symbol and imagery. The worldwide agency has a long history with the waterways, creating the British Waterways symbol over 20 years ago. To make maximum impact at minimum cost, the Canal & River Trust will be working with waterway organisations to plan a phased change to signage on the waterways perhaps by providing a ‘signing kit’ for local groups.

Tony Hales, chairman of the Transition Trustees, said: “Our canals and rivers have been part of the fabric of the country’s landscape for 250 years and putting them in trust for the nation is the start of a new chapter in the renaissance of the waterways. People have told us that the waterways are important to them as a local haven, for themselves and for nature. Stepping onto a towpath is like entering a different world, where the stress of daily life can be escaped. The Canal & River Trust and our new symbol represent what our waterways mean to so many people.”

As I am sure members will be aware the Canal & River Trust will hold 2,000 miles of canals and rivers in England and Wales, including the third largest estate of listed structures, in trust for the nation. The “British Waterways” brand will stay alive in Scotland, where the waterways currently managed by British Waterways Scotland will be kept in the public sector and will not form part of the Canal & River Trust.

In more local news, as this magazine went to print, a major scheme to create a useable towpath between Park House Road Bridge and the site of Lumbs Aqueduct was just starting on site. The works will include extensive vegetation clearance, treatment of Japanese Knotweed where present, and laying of a crushed stone surface with a dust capping. The project has been financed through a Section 106 agreement secured in relation to the nearby Forest Bank Prison which is being drawn down through Salford Council. Our thanks go to David Greenfield of Salford Council for the work which he has put in to secure the funds for this stretch of the MBBC, and also for the on-going commitment which Salford Council is giving to the waterway.

I am also pleased to announce that a grant of £40,000 has been secured from local landfill operator Viridor. This will contribute towards towpath enhancement works and channel clearance between Radcliffe and Little Lever and will be added to funds already allocated to this stretch by Bury Council.  Sadly Viridor could not include restoration of the crane in the grant. It is envisaged that these works will take place before the end of the financial year. Thanks go out to the Joint Steering Committee members who endorsed this grant application at the last meeting and submitted letters of support for the bid. The on-going support is much appreciated!