Minutes:
Introduction – What is the Jubilee River? – Donna Ryan
Donna Ryan is based in the Environment Agency office at Farnham, though the Jubilee River is her usual patch. Donna explained that the Jubilee River is a flood alleviation scheme protecting 3000 homes from flooding running between Maidenhead and Windsor. It was officially opened in 2002. There is a control structure in Taplow allowing regulation of the amount of water directed along the channel. It has been operated over 10 times since it was opened preventing flooding of an estimated 1000 homes. Essentially, the channel is successfully doing its job.
Designed as a natural channel, the River incorporates wetlands and channels providing natural wildlife habitat. The EA are responsible for the all the landscape maintenance along the channel, car parks and picnic benches, board walks, as well as operational and safety infrastructure including; fencing and gates.
Enhancements – Russell Robson
As an operational structure the Jubilee River is complete, and maturing into what is largely a country park.
Land that was CPO’d for the scheme has reverted back to its riparian ownership. Leases have been taken out by EA to maintain car parks. The River travels through 3 LA areas with the majority in private ownership. The middle of the channel marks the land ownership boundary (riparian). Public access is via PRoW and the River itself. The water that flows down the River comes from the Thames and so the public right of navigation extends to the Jubilee River and therefore can be used 24 hours a day 365 days a year unhindered. It was always recognised that unpowered craft would use the River. There are portage points for canoes at the weirs, not fishing platforms as they are often viewed by anglers. This is a conflict area between anglers and canoeists that may require signage.
Canoe England and British Rowing have been looking at canoe/rowing access to the Jubilee River in the last 2 years, particularly on the reach nearest and parallel to the M4. This is a straight section of the River ideal for rowing. The EA have helped Slough Indoor Rowing Club in conjunction with London Youth Rowing access the River with several events having taken place on the reach just south of Chalvey.
As a result of this work there are proposals to develop a water sports centre adjacent to the Slough Road car park. A project is being developed and a site has been identified which is outside the one in 100 year flood. Land is owned by Eton College who have agreed a negligible rent.
Canoeing downstream of the weir with rowing upstream on the straight section up to the next weir. This is an opportunity to get the large amount of indoor rowing in Slough out onto the water in a safe, local environment which is not the traditional rowing club where there can be barriers to participation.
The centre, constructed from shipping containers would have a 17 year shelf life and is viewed as being a legacy project from the 2012 Olympics.
There are already discussions with local academies to become lessees and a grant has been applied for. The whole River is being promoted as a canoe trail by Canoe England with online maps and trails. It’s been identified that you can canoe all the way down from Taplow to the Slough Road and beyond. RR explained that together the Jubilee River and the Thames can provide the only circular canoe route in England giving the Jubilee great potential as a tourist destination.
Overall, use of the Jubilee River is definitely on the increase with disabled groups canoeing, scout and guide groups, open water swimming which is becoming popular and angling, despite the fluctuating fish population.
Out of the water the Trial of the multi-use route linking with the Thames Path and other public rights of way has been agreed. It is hoped this may lead to increasing horse riding provision up towards Taplow.
The EA will work with any organisations that approach them to look at opportunities to increase access to the River. A board system (red – powered craft and yellow – unpowered craft) tells people when the River is in high flow located at the weirs and on the website.
Organisation -
In answer to a query from TH, RR explained that a review of the effectiveness of government quangos is currently taking place, which includes the EA and Natural England. It is expected that decisions as to the waterways will be discussed as part of this review. Rivers including the Thames and the Jubilee differ from canals as they are in private ownership. The only bits of river infra-structure owned by the EA are the weirs and locks.
The Thames path and other pathways along the Rivers are the responsibility of the landowner and through enforcement of the individual highway authority.
DR clarified that the Dorney Wetlands is one of the only sections retained by the EA.
Links to surrounding communities -
Members were interested to hear that under the review of National Trails there is likely to be additional funding to develop links from the Thames path (est. 1972) to surrounding communities. TH mentioned that the River Thames Alliance were intent on making sure the benefits of the Thames went to the widest community possible and he felt that Slough would be one of the hardest to reach communities to be targeted. RR confirmed the EA aim to encourage use of the Jubilee River from local communities like Slough, by increasing and improving access and making the River as welcoming as possible.
DM asked how the public access is protected for future generations while DR confirmed that agreements are in place to ensure access is maintained in perpetuity with all routes being public rights of way.
Car Parks –
RR explained the smaller size of the car parks was planned to discourage the Jubilee River being used as a ‘drive to’ destination and to encourage people to access it by walking/cycling.
The Slough Road car park is the only one of the four to receive any anti-social behaviour, though it is low level considering its proximity to the urban environment. DM asked if there were any plans to increase or enlarge the car parks explaining that for many people this is the only way to visit, however, RR stated that the EA would rather improve walking and cycling links to the Jubilee River.
Promotion -
JW felt that people were unaware how close the Jubilee River is to walk to and that it is such a unique environment. RR agreed, suggesting that awareness could be raised by getting local people to the River for specific reasons eg; rowing or fishing after which they would more than likely return to enjoy the area for other reasons while also spreading the word.
All agreed that better signage is paramount both for car parks and for strategic locations within Slough indicating how far to walk to the River in minutes. Some kind of indication as to what to expect on arrival would also be useful.
A discussion followed about improving the main links to the Jubilee River and alternative car parking such as the Herschel Park car park off Datchet Road. All agreed it would be beneficial to work in partnership with the EA in terms of improving access to and promotion of the Jubilee River for Slough residents in particular. RR suggested that the previous EA guide produced for public access in 2003 could be updated in partnership with Slough and RBWM council’s. There seems to be a definite need for more promotional literature and online information about the River and its country park feel. RR also mentioned the potential for cultural events to be held in the open spaces around dorney wetlands including water born festivities.
DM noted the difficulty in there being no toilet facilities along the River. RR stated they were aware of this issue and that it may be incorporated within future development of facilities at Taplow and Slough Road.
Fishing –
WS enquired as to locations of public fishing rights, as he knows a local disabled group who would like to participate. The EA promised to provide this information. RR stated that once the proposed Water Sports Centre is established there are plans to develop it further as an educational destination to encompass canoeing, rowing, and angling and pond dipping. JW thought this would interest local schools.
TH mentioned there is a lot of interest and people championing a link from the canal through to the Thames via the Jubilee River. RR was aware of it and JW agreed to forward contact details of the master’s student currently working on this project.
Resolved - All considered the Jubilee River to be a fantastic local resource agreeing LAF support for its continued development and the partnership working required to promote to local residents through the internet and paper guides. DM thanked the EA for their presentation and invited them back at some point to give updates.