Meeting to consider formation of a Village Canal Partnership

March 11, 2009      Record of all issues noted within the "Canalscape"

A preliminary meeting was held between British Waterways (James Clifton, Regeneration Manager), and Blisworth
villagers: Colin Gardner (PC Chm.), Stephen Clarke (PC SNC rep.), Bernard Ingram (PC NCC rep.), Jan Andrews
(PC and this meeting Chm.), Alan Andrews (PC NHW manager), Di Burgoyne (rep. for BHS, BHBT), James Payler
(Canal Expert) and Tony Marsh (VWP).  A virtual walk along the canal was taken and various issues that might be
problem areas were discussed.  It was decided that the group would continue with plans to bring together again the
Village Canal Partnership.  An idea of the the issues are presented below and if any villager has comments to add then
please contact Jan Andrews or post on this website with "contact us".  Actions arising from future meetings will not be
recorded on this page.  They may appear in the monthly News in Brief page or have links inserted on the homepage.

The partnership established limited company status and initialised their own website in December 2009.

 

 

1 Canal heritage interest - the turnover bridge
2 Signing required for access to towpath
3 BW disused buildings
4 The Arm - serious car-parking shortage. It is thought desirable to provide seats on the western towpath.
5 Signing required for access to the Northampton Arm towpath
6 Towpath in bad condition - the two "gems", ie. the tunnel approach and the Arm are not joined with a friendly path at present.

 

 

 

 

 


7 Towpath in bad condition
8 Towpath in bad condition
9 Towpath in bad condition as well as the bank disintegrating.

 

 

 

 

 


10 This is/was the winding slot. There is a need for new one 20 - 50 yards north of here.
11 The Sun, Moon and Stars project might require specially developed access here and a seat would be desirable near the bicentenary oak  tree.
12 Signing needed on bridge facia indicating buses, shop, pub and walks etc.

 

 


13 Dredging needed (concrete lumps) and tie-up rings needed.
14 The wall is prey to gale-felling of tree behind (given an easterly gale) otherwise seems stable at present.
15 Willow trees along this stretch are too top heavy.
16 BW boundary hedge is in bad order all along this stretch.
17 Hoped for access to a track established for "Walk in the Woods" - to create a loop path.
18 Maybe a second "Walk in the Woods" based on the limestone railway which could be cleared and signed.


19 Ground adjacent to the towpath has been made much more steep and is spoilt with an excess of semi-sterile blue clay.  A seat placed within sight of the tunnel mouth (but not too close because of diesel accumulation) would be desirable.
20 "Walk in the Woods" track established - ground is all subsoil, ie. blue clay, which is a problem for any better quality vegetation.
21 Only informal plans exist at present for the clearance of rubbish from this car-park.   The long walk down to the tunnel mouth needs a handrail for safety.
22 Signing is needed to indicate the Tunnel Mouth and towpath.