Download - IWA Middlesex Branch, Middlesex Matters, Summer 2013

Inland Waterways Association Middlesex Matters Summer 2013 http://www.waterways.org.uk/regions_branches/london/Middlesex/middlesex

Middlesex Branch Newsletter email: [email protected]

No. 31 Summer 2013

Cava lcade 30th Anniversary

The Cavalcade opening ceremony; Councillor Angela Harvey, Lord Mayor of the City

of Westminster is flanked by Libby Bradshaw, Events Manager and Les Etheridge,

National Chairman of the IWA, with Jon Guest, Waterway Manager Canal & River

Trust (London) on the left. Photo: Ray Gill

mailto:[email protected]

Inland Waterways Association 2 Middlesex Matters Summer 2013

http://www.waterways.org.uk/regions_branches/london/Middlesex/middlesex

Organised by Slough Borough Council

two days of fun for all the family

Slough Canal Festival

7 - 8th September 2013

Bloom Park,

Middlegreen Road,

Langley

Entrance to the festival and parking is free

gates are open from 11am to 5pm on both days.

Diary Dates 2013 & social evenings

11th June Branch social evening

Talk by Loraine Granger from the Hillingdon

Narrowboats Association on the work of the

association.

5-7th July Riverside at Ware

Ware Boat Festival.

19-21st July Cassiobury Park Watford

IWA National Festival.

1st September Canalside, Angel Islington

Angel Canal Festival.

7 - 8th September Bloom Pk, Slough

Slough Canal Festival.

10th September Branch social evening

Talk by Jon Willis on - Crofton beam engines.

14 - 15th September London riverside.

The Mayor’s Riverside Festival spectacular

weekend.

8th October Branch social evening

Talk by Richard Thomas on Waterways

Wonders.

12th November Branch social evening

Talk by Tony Brooks on Boat Wintering.

Middlesex Branch social evenings are held at Hillingdon Canal Club, Waterloo Rd, Uxbridge.

Social meetings are not held in July, August or December.

For more information contact the Social Secretary Lucy Smith on,

[email protected] or 07947 451376.

Entrance is free and all are welcome including non members.



Chairman’s Column

In January this

year I was looking

forward to the fact

that the Slough

Arm of the Grand

Union canal was

to be dredged, or

at least spot dredged for the first time in

ages. My plan was, following the

completion of this work, to promote the

Slough canal and the Slough Canal Festival

in order, hopefully to get boaters to cruise

the arm.

How things have changed! In February

we discovered that the Slough arm was not

to be dredged, as resources have to be

allocated to more urgent work such as the

Ridgeway Trading Estate; where the Canal

& River Trust has to secure the collapsing

embankment.

More bad news was to follow as in late

April the C&RT announced the closure of

the slough arm at Reeds Bridge (bridge 2A)

as they had to carry out very urgent work to

the supporting walls. At the time of writing

the canal still remains closed.

In their press release of 2nd May 2013,

the Canal & River Trust stated “Fixing it

will not be cheap and as a charity we don’t

have an endless pot of money.....”

This is true and the Trust will have to

budget its limited resources to achieve the

best it can in terms of keeping the network

open. In the press release Jon Guest was

also quoted as saying “Thankfully,

considering the age of our canals, problems

like this are extremely rare”. This is also

true but as the network ages are we to see

an increase in such problems?

The Slough canal was built in 1882 so is

only about 130 years old and although not

all the structures are this old, many of the

main road bridges have for instance been re

built, there must be many structures

approaching the end of their useful life.

I can only assume that the CR&T have

inspected the other bridges, aqueducts and

embankments to see if there are any other

problems to resolve.

One worry is that some back office

accountant at C&RT will start questioning

if they should spend so much money on

maintaining what may be seen by some as

an “underused dead end canal”.

The IWA has to tread a careful course in

not being unreasonable in expecting what

the C&RT can achieve with its limited

resources. Our aim should be to keep all

parts of the canal network open for all

users, including boaters.

It is important that we keep track of the

work and ensure that the canal opens as

soon as possible. However we have to do

more to promote use of this arm and

therefore this is why we will be asking all

our members with boats to attempt to visit

the Slough Canal Festival this year.

We have to show the Canal & River

Trust that we do care, that we will fight and

that we do use all parts of the canal

network.

If we do nothing then who can blame the

Canal & River Trust if they decide that one

way of matching budget to expenditure is

to allow underused parts of the system to

fade out of existence.

Keith Clayton

Chairman – IWA Middlesex Branch



Slough Arm Closed The Slough Arm of the Grand Union Canal has had to be closed due to a serious

structural fault with bridge 2a. This is a footbridge known as Reeds bridge a short

distance from the M25. It is in imminent danger of collapse resulting in the towpath

and bridge being closed at this point.

One of the brick-built sections that

support Reeds Bridge moved and

cracked, resulting in the entire

abutment, the towpath and the

waterway wall sinking by 1m and sliding

into the canal.

The Slough Arm and towpath at Reeds

Bridge is currently closed while the

Canal & River Trust carries out

emergency works. They hope to

complete the emergency works by the end of June 2013.

The emergency works are already underway and include: the diversion of electricity

and communications cables (including an 11,000V high voltage electric cable),

temporarily filling the canal with stone to prevent further movement and provide a

safe platform for workers, the removal of the main body of the bridge, demolition of

the towpath side abutment, removal of the waterway wall and towpath; and finally

building a temporary towpath and reopening the navigation. Once these initial

emergency works have been carried out the Trust will investigate a permanent

solution for the replacement of the bridge.

Aylesbury Arm Closed

On Thursday 28 March 2013 C&RT announced

the closure of the Aylesbury Arm from lock 11

to lock 13.

The closure was due to a collapse of the lock

wall on the towpath side at Lock 12 which has

resulted in the lock chamber being unstable and

unsafe for navigation.

Work is expected to start in July and the

section will remain closed until further notice

The towpath is also closed.

Enquiries: 0303 0404040



ACS members at the 25th anniversary

Congratulations - 25 years of the ACS Twenty-five years ago the Australian Canal Society came into being. To celebrate the

anniversary 58 members enjoyed a lunch at Oatlands Golf Club, in the centre of Sydney.

One of the ACS members, Julie Nugent, is a descendant of the canal engineer James

Brindley and she gave a talk about her famous forebear and his connection with Australia.

Middlesex Branch Sales Stand events 2013

Robin will be out and about with the branch sales stand visiting some of the festivals etc in

and around the Middlesex area.

5 - 7 July Ware Boat Festival - River Lea

19 – 21 July IWA National Festival, Cassiobury Pk, Watford.

7 - 8 September Slough Canal Festival - Bloom Park

21 September Hanwell Locks - Open House weekend

If you’re at one of these events and you see the sales stand why not introduce yourself

to Robin and have a chat or even spend some time helping, you’ll be most welcome.

Middlesex Branch donations

The Branch recently made a donation of £200 to the Cotswold Canal Trust Bowbridge Appeal

and received a letter of thanks from Justine Hopkins of the CCT administration team.

http://www.cotswoldcanals.com

The Committee are always willing to consider donating to any waterways related cause. So if

you know any group that might benefit, let us know and we’ll see what we can do.



IWA’s 2013 National Festival set for Watford.

19 - 21 July at Cassiobury Park The IWA 2013 National Festival is to be

held at Cassiobury Park on the Grand Union

Canal in Watford over the weekend of 19-

21st July. IWA intends that this will form

part of an IWA Summer Festival of

London Waterways.

Hopefully, the cold weather earlier in

the year will have given way to warm

summer sunshine.

Cassiobury Park is a very popular town

centre park which slopes down to the River

Gade and Grand Union Canal.

Opening times: Friday & Saturday 10-6pm,

Sunday 10-5pm

Getting there: Watford Metropolitan Line

Underground station is about 5 minutes walk.

Gade Avenue car park will not be available, so car

parking around the area will be extremely limited.

Better to use public transport wherever possible.

Activities: In the showground, the inland marine

trade will be showcasing new and used boats for sale

and all the accessories needed.

There will also be a wide range of general interest

stalls, probably the best varieties of food we’ve

ever offered, a real ale bar, snacks and food stalls,

and the IWA shop for an extensive choice of

waterways books and gifts. A craft marquee will

provide an opportunity for you to acquire traditional

waterway craft skills in our workshops.

There will be a wide range of entertainments on

site including a fly past by a World War II Spitfire

(circumstances permitting), song and dance

throughout the festival, a Victorian Fairground and

lots of attractions for children and adults alike.

Ticket Prices: Advance ticket prices Gate ticket prices

Single adult - £6.50 Single adult - £9.00 (children under 16 are free)

3 day pass - £12.50 Concessions - £8.00

2 or 3 day pass - £15.00

Book tickets online Late Entry (after 4pm) - £6.00



Waterway staff to change working practices

The bank staff at the Canal & River Trust

have voted in favour of new flexible working

hours. The introduction of ‘annualised hours’

was supported by 88% of union members.

This will result in customer services teams

working longer hours in the summer, when the

waterways are busiest, and construction

teams working longer in the winter, when the

majority of repairs are carried out. Unison’s

Jane Ellis and Phil Allman from Unite, jointly

commented that the trade unions recognise

that both parties have moved barriers to

allow the workforce to achieve a yes vote on

this ground breaking agreement, and

especially supported by senior officials from

both the trade unions and the Trust.

The changes, which came into effect from

May 2013, will see Trust staff working hours

that suit the operational needs of their area,

rather than a standard, Monday to Friday, 37

hour week. This will mean that an individual’s

1,931 working hours will be distributed across

the year as needed.

Kensal Town towpath improvements Towpath improvements in the Kensal Town

area of the Grand Union are now well under

way between Great Western Road and

Gasworks Dock, near Sainsbury’s at Kensal

Rise.

A wide range of towpath improvements

including signage, speed bumps, chicanes,

better surfacing, widening and more subtle

design features to improve the overall

appearance for users and visitors.

On the Regent’s Canal where peak time

congestion is especially high the Canal & River

Tust employs Rosie Tharp as strategic cycle

routes coordinator. She is responsible for

the Alternative Routes project, which is

working for a better deal for cyclists on

roads whilst lessening the burden on the

towpath.

New Thames crossing nears completion

The new road bridge at Walton on Thames is on target to become operational during the

summer. The £32m bridge linking Walton-on-Thames and Shepperton will replace the two

existing temporary bridges in use since 1953 and 1999.

The road surface is almost ready for use;

the next step is to realign the approach roads

to bring the bridge into use. This is on course

to begin in July. Demolition of the old bridges

can start once the new bridge is operational and

is expected to start in August followed by final

landscaping works.

Completion of bridge removal is expected to

be during December and all construction works

finished by March 2014.



Canalway Cavalcade – Little Venice 2013

Round the chimney, step in time, Round the chimney, step in time,

Never need a reason, Never need a rhyme,

Round the chimney, step in time. (from Mary Poppins)



Above: Chairman Keith and Plan/Nav Mike Phillips are kept busy on the IWA sales stand.

The sun and spectacle attracted the biggest crowd ever for the IWA's 30th annual Cavalcade

with over 30,000 visitors to London's Little Venice during the May-Day Bank Holiday weekend.

Below: Polishing the brasses, a traditional folk scene at the Cavalcade.



Blood found at scene of boat break-in

A man who lived on a boat on the Grand

Union near Cassiobury Park and broke into

two of his neighbours boats was sentenced in

January at St Albans Crown Court.

He broke into the boats leaving blood at

the scene which was DNA tested leading to

his arrest. Kit Green, whose address was

given as Bridge-water Basin, Cassio Bridge,

Watford, pleaded guilty to two offences of

burglary and was sentenced to a 12 month

community order with six months supervision.

He was also fined £50 for possession of

cannabis and ordered to pay £2,500 to the

owners of the boats he burgled and

prosecution costs of £350.

Canal rage Boat owners living on Regent’s Canal are

being confronted by residents over noise and

pollution.

Homeowners are reported to have marched

to the edge of the waterway in Angel,

Islington, to complain about smoke from boat

engines pouring into their kitchens, bedrooms

and gardens.

Six or seven narrowboats are allowed

temporary moorings opposite the homes, but

currently up to 20 are moored, often three

deep, residents say.

Councillor Martin Klute said: “This isn’t a

case of snobby residents complaining, they

have always welcomed the boats but in the

last two years there’s been a huge increase.”

The Canal and River Trust, which maintains

the waterway, said: “We urge boat users and

residents to work together. Signs forbid use

of smoky fuels and remind boaters not to run

engines between 8pm and 8am.”

The Mayor’s Thames Festival The Mayor's Thames Festival weekend

from 14 – 15th Sept 2013 is one of the

biggest and best free outdoor arts festivals

celebrating London and its river. It sees the

riverside from Westminster to the Tower

transformed with market stalls, street

entertainers and more; a great day out.

The night carnival on Sunday evening is a

grand finale to the festival. Thousands of

people join in the illuminated procession as

the lanterns, costumes and floats make their

way along Victoria Embankment.

The evening culminates in a spectacular

fireworks display over the river Thames

Mid summer jazz cruise

Friday 14 June - Chiswick Pier Trust offer

Chiswick Pier Trust will be holding a jazz

cruise on Friday 14th June aboard the Queen

Elizabeth. Cruising to Westminster and back

leaving Chiswick Pier at 7.00 pm, returning

around 10.00pm.

Music on board will be from the jazz

band Anacousis and Pissarro’s

restaurant will be serving a two course

cold supper will be served during the cruise.

Tickets are on sale £35.00 per head.

Call 020 8742 2713 or 07594 596729.



Major developments at Brentford

Planning and Navigation

By Ray Gill The character of the Grand Union in Brentford is set to change dramatically as three major

schemes are about to be implemented.

Brentford Lock West

Construction has already started on the first

phase of Brentford Lock West, a development

located between Commerce Road and the

Grand Union Canal. The northern boundary of

the site is the railway between Brentford

Station and Syon Lane Station.

The site also includes the overhanging sheds

which were used for storage of lime juice,

barrels of which were unloaded from Thames

lighters prior to transportation to Rose’s

factory near Hemel Hempstead.

The developer for the scheme is ISIS

Waterside Regeneration, a joint venture

between the Canal & River Trust (formerly

British Waterways) and Muse Developments.

The entire development is likely to consist of

some 500 dwelling units. The developers have

indicated a five to seven year programme for

the overall implementation of the scheme.

The first phase of 150 housing units in the

southern half of the site will benefit from a

range of measures to use sustainable energy,

including district heating, green roofs, roof top

allotments and PV panels. In addition,

improvements will be made to the towpath to

increase the width to approximately 6.5

metres.

We have expressed our support for the first

phase of the development but the details of the

northern half of the site are still to emerge and

will require our further consideration. This

second phase will include proposals for the

overhanging sheds and a new footbridge over

the canal.

Links:

http://www.brentfordlockwest.co.uk http://www.isisregeneration.co.uk

Brentford Waterside

Adjacent to the semi tidal stretch of the canal

and River Brent above Thames Lock

Ballymore Properties are progressing

proposals for a large mixed development

which they are calling Brentford Waterside.

Between the High Street and the canal they

are proposing to re-create a series of ‘yards’

which will provide pedestrian and vehicular

routes separating five courtyard blocks of 7

and 8 storey apartments. To the west of

Workhouse Dock two blocks of 7 and 10

storey apartments are proposed next to the

canal. Those familiar with the Grand Union at

Hayes and the recently completed High Point

Village development will be able to anticipate

the scale and density of the proposals at

Brentford.

A public meeting hosted by the local

authority was held in November 2012. Local

organisations attending the meeting, including

Brentford Dock Residents Association,

Brentford Community Council, Brentford

Chamber of Commerce and the Brentford High

Street Steering Group were highly critical of

the planning application proposals. When the

meeting was opened up to the floor for the

public to raise questions with the developer

and the design team all of the comments made

were overwhelmingly hostile.

Our Branch has also made written

representations to Hounslow objecting to the

proposals as we considered the scheme to be a

gross over-development which will have a

negative impact on the Grand Union Canal

Conservation Area. >> cont p12



The intimate character of the existing

waterside area will be lost as it will be

dominated by tall buildings. Johnson’s Island

and the MSO Island are untouched (they are

outside the site) but they will still be dwarfed

by the surrounding development. The boaters

experience on leaving Thames Lock will be to

pass through a canyon like space between the

proposed peninsula blocks and the existing

Brentford Dock flats.

The Local Authority’s web site shows that

the application is pending consideration and

there is no timetable for a decision to be made.

This suggests that the planning process is

currently stalled perhaps as a result of

considerable local opposition and the schemes

apparent departure from the policies in

Hounslow’s 2009 Brentford Area Action Plan;

one of only two adopted documents in the

emerging Local Plan. We await further news

on the progress of the planning application

with interest.

Link:

http://www.mybrentford.com/brentford2.0

Brentford ‘Making the Connection’ Project

Finally a new initiative is set to improve links between the Great West Road, historically known as

the ‘Golden Mile’, and Brentford High Street. The scheme is being financed through the Outer

London Fund awarded by the Mayor of London.

The project has four main improvement areas:

New lighting to the area under the Great West Road bridge

The overhanging sheds (which form part of the ISIS Brentford Dock West site)

The towpath route to Brentford Lock-described as 'The Moving High Street'

The Market Place in Brentford High Street

A planning application for the proposed

improvements was submitted to Hounslow in

April 2012. We note that ISIS Regeneration

initially project managed the application for

the Outer London Fund but rather strangely

appear to be no longer involved with the

detailed application. It also seems odd that the

proposals for the overhanging sheds are

described as an interim measure prior to ‘the

redevelopment of these structures’. We hope

that this is not because ISIS now has another

agenda for these structures which could place

the sheds at risk.

The proposals for the overhanging shed

include the removal of the cladding at towpath

level. This seems a sensible proposal as it will

improve forward visibility for towpath users

and give a greater sense of security/safety.

Of greater concern is the proposed slatted

cladding to the sides of the sheds. Although

this is attractive and will improve the daylight

to the interior it may expose the existing steel

structure to the elements. We have written to

Hounslow to make this point and to suggest

that the decorative elements incorporated in

the cladding should be canal related.

The proposed improvements to the public

realm in the Market Place are welcomed and

should complement the Brentford Waterside

proposals to regenerate the town centre.

Link:

http://www.thebrentfordconnection.com

Ray Gill

Planning & Navigation Officer



MIDDLESEX MUSINGS

Is there anybody out there?

The Middlesex Branch has received a request from a Graduate

Structural Engineer at the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE).

Apparently they have identified the Hanwell flight of Locks and Three

Bridges as being of particular engineering interest. As part of the

September Open House tours they would like to have one of their

engineers on hand for an engineering tour.

The request concluded that if this was

acceptable could we supply contact details

of the engineer who worked on the project

so that he could be contacted with a view to

assisting in the tour.

Unfortunately neither of the two project

engineers Jessop and Brunel is able to

attend as they died in 1815 and 1859. We’ll

try to contact them; anyone for Ouija?

Garden gnomes?

Some people have gnomes or fairies at the

bottom of their gardens but one of the

committee members was in for a surprise.

He wandered down his garden the other day

only to find two east European males had set

up camp there. Well I never!

Armless mooring?

As reported in the earlier pages, the

Slough arm and Aylesbury arm are both

closed due to bank collapses. Looking at the

pictures it might take a long time to repair

both canals.

It would appear that mooring on an arm

can damage your boating.

Other arms are available, although I think

I’ll give the Wendover arm a miss for a while.

It’s a jungle out there

The reports from Ray about Planning &

Navigation issues in our branch area contain

some good and some not-so-good proposals.

Reading the Brentford Waterside development

proposal left me with a cold feeling. We’ve

seen what some high-rise developments can

end up like after a few years.

I’m not surprised that the local people and

all the trade bodies and community groups

were up in arms about it.

Let’s hope that Hounslow recognise that

they’ve got a great opportunity to develop an

area where people and businesses would

choose to go rather than somewhere they’d

choose to avoid.

A little less conversation

The Canal & River Trust are generating a

new policy regarding boats overstaying at

moorings.

As for the new policy, sounds like ‘Here we

go again’, another revamped set of

continuous cruising and mooring rules.

There are calls for more affordable

moorings and longer maximum stays, but one

thing is so obvious that it sticks out a mile

and that is if there’s no enforcement of the

policy, whether old or new, then nothing will

change. So why not try, as the king once

said, ‘A little less conversation, a little more

action please’.

Terry Liddle

Editor.



IWA London Region boundaries

Chelmsford Branch Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation

Mundon (White House Farm) Canal

River Thames - north bank east of the old GLC boundary

Chiltern Branch Grand Union Canal - Tail of Stockers Lock to Ship Bridge, Marsworth

Grand Union Canal - Aylesbury Arm

Grand Union Canal - Wendover Arm

Lee & Stort Branch River Lee from the M25 to Hertford

River Stort

Middlesex Branch Grand Union Canal - Paddington Branch West of Ha'penny Bridge

Grand Union Canal - River Thames to tail of Stockers Lock

Grand Union Canal - Slough Arm

North and East London Branch East London Rivers - Bow Back Rivers

Grand Union Canal - Paddington Branch East of Ha'penny Bridge

Hertford Union Canal

River Lee - River Thames to the M25

Limehouse Cut

London Docklands waterways north of the Thames

Regents Canal

River Roding (including Barking Creek)

South London Branch Grosvenor Canal

Kensington Canal

London Docklands waterways south of the Thames

River Thames - Teddington Weir to the old GLC boundary by Purfleet

River Thames - all navigable creeks not part of N E London area



The views expressed in this Newsletter are not necessarily those of the Inland Waterways Association or of its London Region or of its Middlesex Branch. They are however published as being of interest

to our members and readers

© IWA Middlesex Branch 2013

The Inland Waterways Association is a charity campaigning for the conservation, use, maintenance, restoration and development of the inland waterways and is a non profit distributing company limited

by guarantee registered in England number 612245 registered as a charity number 212342 whose

registered office is at:

Island House, Moor Road, Chesham. HP5 1WA.

Tel. 01494 783453

http://www.waterways.org.uk

AND FINALLY

Dates for committee meetings for 2013 are given below. Members are welcome to attend. Meetings start at 8.00pm at the Hillingdon Canal Club, Waterloo Road, Uxbridge UB8 2QX.

30 Jul 24 Sept 26 Nov

YOUR BRANCH COMMITTEE

Chairman Keith Clayton 020 8573 0883 [email protected] Vice Chairman Michael Phillips [email protected] Secretary Robin Bishop 020 8452 2632 [email protected] Treasurer Lucy Smith 07947451376 [email protected] Panning/Navigation Raymond Gill 07785886255 [email protected] Michael Phillips [email protected] Membership Keith Clayton 020 8573 0883 [email protected] Sales Robin Bishop 020 8452 2632 [email protected] Social meetings Lucy Smith 07947451376 [email protected] Newsletter Terry Liddle 020 8863 2551 [email protected] Publicity Lucy Smith 07947451376 [email protected] Events Lucy Smith 07947451376 [email protected] Other members Stephen Bray

The newsletter welcomes communications from readers. If you have a point to make, a question to ask, or an interesting picture or article worthy of publication send it to us at

Middlesex Matters, 39 Hillview Gardens, Harrow, Middlesex HA2 6HJ

Email to: [email protected]. NEWSLETTER EDITOR Terry Liddle Middlesex Matters is produced using MS Word 2007. The next publication will be the winter 2013 edition, issue number 32



This gas-rig lifeboat is one of the more unusual craft seen moored on the Grand Union near Kensal Green

Keep a lookout for Chucklefoot at

the IWA’s National Festival.

Did you know? Amidships Condition of being surrounded by boats

Anchor A device designed to bring up mud

samples from the bottom at unexpected times

Son: When I grow up, dad, I want to join the

Hillingdon Canal Club.

Dad: Sorry son, you'll have to choose one or the

other.

1st Rule of Boating - If it ain’t broke, don’t use it.

2nd Rule of Boating - If you're working on a wooden

boat, never keep your chainsaw near the boat.

Machinists work to the nearest 0.001mm.

Woodworkers work to the nearest 0.5mm.

Boatbuilders do it by eye.

Download - IWA Middlesex Branch, Middlesex Matters, Summer 2013

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