BRIAN HAWKINS raises some interesting questions in his piece in narrowboatworld 'What about the Chesterfield?', writes Robin Stonebridge.
Unfortunately, many are the wrong questions at this point in time.
As you are well aware, the initial route for HS2 Eastern leg was announced on 28th January, 2013, and the proposals would decimate the restoration plans for the Western division of the Canal at Staveley Town Basin, the Puddlebank; at Renishaw, and along the Railway Mile. However, as Brian points out, the canal's viability has been threatened by railways on a number of occasions in the past, and with discussion, careful thought and public and private support, it has survived to become a much used and much valued waterway today.
Greatest problem
The greatest problem we have faced since that 2013 announcement is the indecision about the route of the railway. Your readers will be aware that the affected section of the Chesterfield is in Phase 2b of HS2 and at the moment, Parliament, the Dept for Transport and HS2 Ltd are still working on the detail of Phase 1—London to Birmingham! Whilst Phase 1 and 2a are advancing, it is unrealistic for us, or CRT or IWA, or Derbyshire County Council, the canal owners, to expect detailed discussions about Phase 2b—there simply is no agreed route yet.
Surely the overwhelming question should be "Why was an initial route for Phase 2 announced in 2013 when it was clear that Phase 1 would far overrun its planned time schedule for consultation and legislation, thus causing prolonged blight to Phase 2 route homeowners, businesses and canal restoration projects alike?"
Have come together
Since January, 2013 CRT and IWA, along with the canals affected by HS2 plans, have come together to work out an overarching strategy to address the impacts of the planned railway on canals. You will have seen the evidence of that in the submissions from CRT and IWA to the Petitions Committee on the Phase One Hybrid Bill. You may well have seen the design guide; development principles and design alternatives worked out and put to HS2 Ltd for canal and railway intersections. These are currently being worked through with the Bill Petitions Committee - on Phase 1!
Q. Is it not better for the the supporters of the nation's canals to plan and argue a coherent case for protecting the affected canals rather than repeat the errors of HS2 Ltd in announcing their intentions?
Since 2013, the Chesterfield Canal Trust has worked to ensure that:
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Local communities and supporters of the the canal are aware of the HS2 proposals and the impact they will have on restoration, social and economic benefits of restoration, and the impracticality of a route based on out of date maps and frankly poor evidence.
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That HS2 Ltd and decision makers are fully aware of the restoration; the level of support the canal enjoys; and the damaging effect of adopting the initial line.
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That CCT maintains a full and open dialogue between canal restorers and would-be railway builders to seek alteration, mitigation and compensation rather than hastily opposing a national infrastructure project without knowing its eventual route.
Compensation proposals
Q. Why are there still no clearly set out compensation proposals for significant waterway restoration projects blighted by HS2, three years after the Phase 2 announcement?
In all of these activities the Canal and River Trust, and Inland Waterways have been immensely helpful and fully engaged. I think that had Brian maintained his membership of IWA, or indeed of CCT, he would have seen substantial evidence of that close and effective partnership in action.
Work together
Q. Is it not more constructive to work together for a common purpose than for others to see waterway interests openly criticising each other?
All of this 'waiting for the route' does not mean that work on the Chesterfield is at a standstill, and that we are doing nothing—far from it. On the ground, work continues at Staveley, as Brian will know; further work packages are being put together, and as a decision date of Autumn 2016 for Phase 2b approaches, so the Trust will step up its activities around HS2 issues—but as I'm sure you will understand, we are not going to share those with Narrowboat World at this point.
Need hands
Q. Have you renewed you membership Brian—we need all hands to the trowel at Staveley, and you won't be insured if you are not a Trust member:
Since 1988, 12 miles, 36 locks, a bridge and two marinas have been restored or built afresh—and the Chesterfield Canal Trust isn't going away until the job, and the Rother Link, are finished.
No question—With just eight miles to go, it's worth completing the restoration
[Robin Stonebridge is the Chairman of the Chesterfield Canal Trust.]