Agenda item

Update on meeting with Canal and Rivers Trust – cycle video

Kendal Close Action Plan

JW tabled the report about the meeting of 18^th December 2013 between JW, TH and CRT representatives to look at issues along the towpath.  JW showed members a video of the towpath from the Basin to Langley taken from a cyclist’s perspective.

Kendal Close link on the north side of the towpath –

TH expressed the concern about the narrow width available on this side of the canal and that CRT ought to be asked to give extra width (2m) to add to this location.  The lease for this land is due for renewal, so there is scope for CRT to negotiate extra width with any new leaseholders. 

Basin-

Members discussed problems at the basin end for public access due to the tiling company’s practices.  CRT is to check lease to see what use the tiling company are allowed to make of the car park area.  KW also noted that the kissing gate at the basin is broken.  TH suggested that the tiling company could be serviced from a different access point which would free up the basin entrance for public access to the canal.  Many people feel that the basin and the canal is dangerous, uninviting and despite this it is still widely used.  Members agreed the need to focus on getting CRT to make improvements to enhance the Basin.

CRT had suggested that land on the north bank of the canal could be cleared and used as a proper towpath, which would mean that a public path leading underneath the electricity pylon could be avoided. JW thought it likely that CRT would agree this route as a permissive path rather than a fully dedicated public right of way.

Dredging is supposed to be happening this year 14/15.  CRT is talking in very aspirational terms as they are aiming for funding from TfL’s “Vision for Cycling”. 

The Two Tings campaign has been replaced with Share the Space, Drop your Pace.  Signage for this campaign is available from CRT and members agreed this would be beneficial to the Slough Arm and that the council ought to pay for it.  Members were adamant that Bucks ought to pay for signage on the towpath in their area.  Technically the towpath between Langley and Bloom Park is in South Bucks, not Slough despite the close proximity to Slough residences and that South Bucks needs to be drawn into the working on the canal. 

TH mentioned the Trenches Canal Bridge which is in a bad state of repair.  All agreed the need for inclusion of the canal in surrounding development with TH explaining the differences in Hillingdon where the canal is open and easily accessible to housing rather than closed off from it. 

Resolved - Members agreed that support from Councillors and other partners must be sought to make a combined effort in encouraging improvements.  All supported recommended actions detailed in the report.  DM noted that the actions are very similar to actions for the CVP as they are closely related.  JW will invite interested members to an interim meeting to develop plan of action.