Doesn't want more visitors

FROM wanting more access to its waterways, to promote visitors, British Waterways seems to have had a sea-change as far as part of the Trent & Mersey Canal is concerned.

It has objected to the proposals of plans for a mixed development at Wincham by Bridge 192 near Northwich that include around 1,000 homes, as this will mean more visitors to the canal, Alan Tilbury reveals.

Problems for canal infrastructure

One of the reasons given is that this will create six new access points to the waterway that 'would pose significant problems for the canal infrastructure'.

This seems a complete turnaround from British Waterways' much vaunted policy of getting as many people to its waterways as possible.  However this has been a complete failure as told by our Allan Richards in his perusal of documents, showing a continuing reduction over the years, last year standing at just 3.8 million visitors against a target of 6.9 millions.

Boost visitor numbers

Regular readers of narrowboatworld will be aware of the many extra access points that have been created to boost visitor numbers, especially by the Groundwork teams.

Of the new development, a statement from British Waterways told '...the additional usage would therefore reduce the quality of towpath to the detriment of all users over time, to the point where it will become unsuitable for existing users'.

Importance of the waterfront

Yet British Waterways objects that the plans underplay the potential importance of the waterfront.  It also raised concerns about flood risk from the canal.

There is to be a public meeting at which residents can voice their opinions next Wednesday 17th August at Wincham Community Centre at 7.30pm.