Project Update from BW
James Thompson (Project Manager)
The recent grant of £3,009,167 by *Advantage West Midlands* has triggered the release of the HLF funding and means that the project can now progress. Contracts need to be signed but work is starting already, both with towpath improvements and also with the creation of education projects and the mosaic in Vine’s Park.
The physical works programme
In order to deliver all the physical restoration work, a managing contractor has been employed to manage all the lock restorations, reed bed creation, towpath improvements, new channel cutting etc.. This is Morrison Construction who have been working on the main canal network for many years, recently restoring the aqueducts on the Stratford upon Avon Canal. They will employ local firms to do the actual work, ensuring that we get the right people for the right jobs.Towpath improvements
For anyone who walks the canal regularly, you will have seen that the towpath improvements at Salwarpe have been completed. This has been funded by the Liveability project and has meant that the towpath edge has been rebuilt and the towpath surfaced and widened. I think all can agree it’s a vast improvement on probably the worst section of towpath on the canal.
The towpath and access improvements will be started around Droitwich Leisure Centre in September with volunteers from DCT rebuilding the fishing pegs to support the towpath as part of the work. The cycleway on the off (non-towpath) side is underway at the moment.
Education projects with local schools
This is focusing on Key Stage 2 (7 to 11 year olds) and will provide resources on the WOW website. There will also be an emphasis on getting the children out to the canal, on the water and on the towpath. Red Kite Environment have been appointed to put together the resources and are looking at opportunities to create resources about James Brindley, the salt trade and the canals being one of the oldest and youngest canals in the country. They will be working closely with local teachers and DCT.
Interpretation and Arts projects
Interpretation is about communicating a message. This could be to do with almost anything related to the canal from the wildlife and the history to the characters associated with it. These messages are then put across through different means, through features on site, actors recreating a character through live interpretation or simply through interactive panels next to the towpath. For more details about these plans in the meantime, have a look at www.britishwaterways.co.uk/droitwich.
The main projects that we’re planning at the moment are:
Money
What’s there already?
We have nearly £10.2m towards the total £11.2m budget. This is from Advantage West Midlands, the Heritage Lottery Fund, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (Liveability), Sport England, Worcestershire County Council and Wychavon District Council. There are also grants available from local Trusts and sponsors which are listed under each project as appropriate.
What we still need
The fundraising is being led by The Waterways Trust and British Waterways to find the remaining £1m for the project. A new fundraiser, Kim Chester, is working with members of DCT to help with raising money. There are lots of different ways to be involved, it may be that you just know the right person to ask in a local company who could give money towards the restoration or that you could help organise a raffle.
Promoting the project
The Droitwich Canals restoration will be a project which aims to include lots of people. The Partnership wants all residents of Droitwich and the surrounding area to know about the restoration and for the canal to be a place where they take visiting friends and relatives, a place that they are proud of. We’re planning how and what we need to tell local people and the canal community at large, possibly with a series of local display and events when more detailed plans will be available for people close to the Droitwich Canals.
Join DCT to find out more and help the restoration
We plan to give DCT members a preview of the plans in October so join today by downloading a *membership form* and sending it to our membership secretary Jon Axe.
There are many ways you can get involved as a member of DCT either by helping with events and fundraising or with projects such as rebuilding the fishing pegs. All these things are part of the restoration and help bringing the canals back to Droitwich a lot easier. The volunteering working group is organising the opportunities and will be putting together a works program of projects to get your hands dirty with over the next 3 years.
We still have a shortfall in funding of £1million and DCT can play a crucial role in this. Contacts within local business, helping at events and promoting the project are invaluable help towards this aim and offer a great opportunity to get involved by all members of DCT.
Contacts
If members have any questions at all relating to the restoration project please feel free to contact either Edd Moss (edward.moss@britishwaterways.co.uk or 01452 318050) or James Thompson ( james.thompson@britishwaterways.co.uk or 01452 318028).
For further information concerning DCT contact either Margaret Rowley ( mrowley@worcs.com or 01905345307) or Denis Pike ( denis.pike@virgin.net or 07870 939 121)