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About 5 years ago the
prospects of linking the North and South wide beam network in the UK
within the next 10 years were looking very encouraging, with several
plans proposed. This would have effectively doubled the cruising range
of all broad beam barges in the UK. But recently a number of the
proposals have hit financial problems, although hope still remains that
the Milton Keys to Bedford link will be built following Milton Keynes
Council statement to include protection of the new canal route within
all new developments.
A few years back, the UK's Association of Inland Navigation Authorities (AINA),
whose members include British Waterways and the Environment Agency,
issued a report "A Vision for the Strategic Enhancement of
Britain's Inland Navigation Network". The report recommends a
national network of broad beam navigations, which can be achieved
through upgrading some of the existing narrow beam canals, and
constructing two new ones. The report indicates that the work needed to
accomplish this appears feasible and worthwhile, and includes the
following actions: -
-
Enhancement
of the Grand Union Canal Leicester line summit (providing a
north-south broad waterway)
-
Extension
of the River Avon navigation from Stratford to the Grand Union Canal
at Warwick
-
A
broad-beam bypass for the Grand Union Canal Northampton arm between
the GU main line and the River Nene
-
A
new waterway linking the River Nene to the River Witham
-
A
new waterway linking the Grand Union Canal to the River Great Ouse
at Bedford
-
Restoration
of the Wey & Arun Canal (between the Thames and the south coast)
-
Restoration
of the Cotswold Canals (between the Thames and the Severn)
-
Lengthening
locks on the Calder & Hebble and Stainforth & Keadby
navigations (currently only 57ft 6ins)
The
report also recommended that the broad beam network should be
facilitated for boats up to 22 m X 4.3 m X 1.4 m x 2.4 m. (72ft x 14ft x
4ft 6ins).
Some of these plans have hit
financial and or planning problems, and that it will likely be around 10
years before there is a North - South link in the UK. In the mean time
getting a barge between the two networks can be achieved either by truck
or around the coast. Truck transport for a 60ft x 12'-6" barge is not
that expensive, but a crane at each end will be needed, total cost from
around £1000 to £2000 depending on location. The coastal route option
can only be achieved on fine weather days and with suitably experienced
skipper, with a RCD CAT C barge or better.
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Created
7th October 2002
- Last
updated
20 December 2009
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