Agenda item

Target: Decide on LAF actions to help improve the Slough Arm and access links to/from it

JW tabled the report showing the current state of the towpath on the Slough Arm; works that have been completed and day to day issues like dog fouling and litter accumulation under the Wexham Road bridge.  TE queried whether there were any dog bins with WS stating that dog fouling bins are to be changed across the borough to normal multi-functional bins.  JW also tabled the Bracknell dog leaflet asking if members thought that Slough ought to have something similar.  WS thought that SBC should issue pcn’s for dog fouling.  Members agreed that the leaflet would be beneficial and recommended SBC produce a similar dog behaviour leaflet that can also be laminated for various locations along the canal.

The Canal – presentation by Tony Haines

The heritage that the Canal represents is significant being constructed in 1882 after the railways.  It was part of the London waterways network connecting Slough to London and further afield to Birmingham.  Bucks CC were still using it in the early seventies to transport road materials.

The canal stops at the basin as Eton College and other landowners didn’t want it on their land.  After the war canals were falling into disrepair nationally however enthusiasts fought to save the canal system and in the sixties the emphasis for canals changed to leisure use.  Slough Council joined up with Groundwork and the Colne Valley Park in 1987 and with new opportunities for funding; the towpath was reinstated in the early 1990’s.  TH explained that the canal towpath is situated within the Colne Valley Park and that SBC had withdrawn its support from the Colne Valley Park.  He felt this ought to be revived as well.  JW would bring information to the next meeting about the CVP.  Under the guise of Groundwork, the slough canal festival began and was used to promote the leisure activities and help encourage people to value the canal. 

New developments in Uxbridge have brought improvements to the canal.  TH felt that the efforts over the last 20 years to promote the canal must be continued and revitalised.  As a wildlife corridor it is exceptional. 

The Slough Canal Festival initially concentrated on promoting wildlife, fishing, canoeing, walking and cycling activities along the canal.  However, in later years the festival became more of a community event.  Pressure groups involved are the Inland Waterways Association and the Friends of Slough Canal which began to promote the ideals of the festival. 

British Waterways is a nationalised company which wasn’t sold off due to fear of public backlash.  It changed into the Canals and Rivers Trust last year, with a charity status with the emphasis on protection of the canal network. 

Slough’s Local Development Framework clearly states the canal basin area should be developed “in a comprehensive way which maximises the attractiveness of the canal and the basin”.  So that any development plans should open up views to the basin, attract visitors; enhance pedestrian and cycle access and nature conservation.

Currently, a new developer is needed to put forward a scheme for the development at the canal basin.  There is a problem however, in that Travis Perkins who occupies part of the land at the basin has no plans to move.  DM asked whether Travis Perkins is on a lease and if they could be persuaded to move by CRT. TH believed that CRT is not keen on putting pressure on Travis Perkins at this time. 

CRT own a 5m strip on the north side of the canal where the Icra School is located.  There is potential for this area to have visitor moorings or an educational boat.  Attracting more boat usage of the canal would positively affect the upkeep of the canal corridor. 

There is a planning application for a marina off the north side of the canal just to the east of Rochford Gardens.  The EA are providing pre-application advice.  JW will find out what stage the application has reached. 

CRT was planning to spend £700,000 on dredging the canal this year, however, the plans have been scuppered unfortunately due to the following problems.  One is subsidence on the north side near the Ridgeway Industrial Estate near Uxbridge, with money spent to strengthen the banks. The other being the collapse of Bridge 2a just east of the M25 where 18 inch cracks had appeared in the structure.  The towpath has been closed with an alternative route signed.  This is a major problem which is expected to be repaired in the next two months with the canal closed in the meantime. 

In terms of how the vision for the canal can be supported, all agreed that the LAF need to engage with the Friends of Slough Canal.  DM suggested the possibility of a joint meeting of the LAF and the Friends.  JW would look into this and liaise with TH and DM. 

The consensus was that the LAF ought to lobby for a revival of the partnership working on the canal which included the LA’s; Slough, Bucks County, South Bucks District and Hillingdon.  JW would make the other authorities and Bucks LAF aware of what’s being done by SBC in terms of improvements, while members wholeheartedly supported the on-going surfacing works.

Resolved – LAF agreed that actions should be taken according to the above minutes with the membership firmly committed to supporting the Slough Arm of the Canal.