Christmas Newsletter
13th December 2020
Welcome to the end of 2020 a difficult year for us all but despite the restrictions, activity on and about the river remains high.
We meet regularly in Committee via Zoom meetings and also online with Cheshire West and Chester Council.
During the window of no Lock Down we organised, with IWA, a Campaign Cruise to highlight the importance of using the river with a cruise of 12 boats to visit Frodsham old lock which we believe should be restored.
Here are our highlights of our year .....
Mid Cheshire Waterways Strategy
We have recommended that priority should be given to improved waterside access via towpath upgrades and extensions. In addition, we believe that more marinas should be built on the Weaver. There is increased demand for widebeam boats and they will act as a benefit to increase river usage along with improved facilities.
Winsford
We have presented a brief to the Council defining the best plan and content to regenerate their water frontage over the short and long term. We maintain our commitment to achieving the Winsford Incline Plane to provide better boat access to the Weaver and by so doing, provide Winsford with a world class tourist attraction.
Northwich
Another major expansion of house building is now planned on the Winnington site. We propose a properly graded continuous towpath extending Lock Street to the new site with separate pathways for walkers and cyclists and a new pedestrian swing bridge across the river serving Barons Quay, enabling residents to commute, visit and shop without using the existing roads. This should be augmented, at least in the summer months, by a Water Taxi service operating from Wallerscote Island, Winnington, Anderton and Carden Ferry to Town Quay and the Weaver Hall Museum. Who needs Venice and if this happens we would be looking for volunteers for water taxi drivers!
Anderton Boat Lift Closure
The renewed lift was reopened nearly 20 years ago. At the time the lifting rams with special ceramic coating were given a 20 year life guarantee. CRT are indicating a possible spend of £5million to also improve control systems and site facilities. But they do not have the money and the Lift could be closed for two years. We are challenging their thinking on this.
River Issues
We are working with other users including Mersey Boat Club, Acton Bridge Cruising Club, the IWA and Northwich Drydock Company to maintain a dialogue with CRT to prioritise operations on the river. After some pressure the lock keeping on the lower river has been increased.
Lighting the Northwich Bridges
We have long wanted to see the Northwich Bridges illuminated. They were the first electrically operated swing Bridges in the country so now, 120 years later, we have contributed funds, with other local organisations, to highlight their importance with a flexible system of illumination.
Why not go and have a look - but maintaining a safe distance from others, of course!,
August Campaign Cruise
This included a trip downriver to Frodshan and Weston Point Docks. We returned via the Boat Lift and cruised to Runcorn to support the ‘Unlock Runcorn ‘ campaign to restore the lock flight to the MSC. During our cruise, activity on the river was busy with all the new pontoons fully occupied and more hire boats using the river.
Jalsea Boatyard Redevelopment
Planning permission has now been granted for new riverside housing and a small marina. We have been asked to write up a history of the old Pimblott’s yard and the vessels built there. This will be issued as a special Weaver News.
Take care and have a great Christmas and New Year.
Jim Mole
Chairman
River Weaver Navigation Society