COLIN SIMMONS
The group was sorry to announce the death on 1st May 2008 of Colin Simmons, one of our founding trustees, following a short illness. Colin had been an active member of MWRG since its formation in early 2006 and was also a key figure at and a former Commodore of Maidenhead Sailing Club. He will be sorely missed by everyone that knew him, for his dry sense of humour and bold, creative thinking.
A special web page has been added to the site in memory of Colin - see the link to Collin's Page in the main menu.
CIVIC SOCIETY JOINS MWRG
The Civic Sciety in April 2008 became MWRG's first corporate member, cementing its already close relationship with the group.
Civic Society Chairman Bob Dulson leads the Partnership for the Regeneration of Maidenhead (PRoM) and says..."The Civic Society fully supports the MWRG plans to restore and improve the York Stream and adjoining waterways. Their ambition aligns with our aim of finding imaginative ways of linking the town to the river and creating attractive focal points and public spaces for everyone to enjoy in the heart of town. I am confident that PRoM too will see the waterways project as an important element in helping to define the character of the town we all want for the future.”
CINEMA SITE PLANS REFUSED..!
After some months of deliberations the Maidenhead Development Control Panel at its April 2008 meeting unanimously THREW OUT plans for a 36,000 square feet/four storey office development on the former cinema site next to Chapel Arches.
We had been actively lobbying against this application, which would have dominated the historic Chapel Arches area and compromised our plans for the restored waterway. Many thanks to everyone who signed the MWRG ipetition, the High Street petition organised by Suzy Kirkwood or who submitted individual obections.
The ipetition is being kept active for late signatories (in case of an appeal), so you can still add your comments and sign it at ...THE PETITION to Save Chapel Arches!.
VIDEO LIBRARY ONLINE
Courtesy of Bourne End Video Camera Club we have from March 2008 redefined the video segment of the web site to become a Video Library, which now includes a selection of three short videos - Video 1(The Maidenhead River Project) explains the overall scheme; Video 2 (Watery Grave) highlights the neglected state of the waterways today; and Video 3 ( Its Now or Never) features the Trustees celebrating the award of Charity status with the 'punt stunt' down at York Stream.
Look out for further short videos which will be added to the Video Library in the coming months as they become available.
ENVIRONMENT AGENCY BACKS WATERWAYS PLANS..!!
After some months of dialogue the Environment Agency (EA) has formally responded to the Water Resources Study prepared for us by Black and Veatch. We are pleased to report that the Agency HAS ENDORSED the main findings of the report - i.e. that there is sufficient water available in the local river system to support our waterways plans - and that in principle it is willing to issue the necessary consent for the water supply needed, subject to certain technical and operational conditions.
A Press Release was issued in February 2008 by the EA announcing its findings and confirming in principle support for the scheme. The EA will continue to work with MWRG to address the remaining technical issues needed before a full planning application, targetted for the end of this year, can be submitted. The full EA Press Release can be seen here - EA Press Release.
THERESA MAY GOES BOREHOLE DIPPING .....
Local MP Theresa May joined our regular bunch of volunteers to go borehole dipping in February 2008 down at theYork Stream.
Volunteers are now regularly monitoring ground water and stream levels over time, to better understand the dynamics of the water flows - both under and over the ground. The resulting data will be shared with the Environment Agency and will feed into the final design for the waterways.
ED GALLAGHER JOINS MWRG
We were delighted to announce that Professor Ed Gallagher has joined MWRG from December 2007 as a Committee member and Special Adviser.
Ed is uniquely qualified to help the work of the group, having previously been Chief Executive of the National Rivers Authority and also the Environment Agency. He is currently Chair of Energywatch, the Pesticides Forum and the environmental and citizenship charity Envision, amongst other positions. He is also Vice President of the Council for Environmental Education, Patron of the Environmental Industries Commission and a Civil Service Commissioner. Ed does not underestimate the challenges involved in the project, but like us feels strongly that restoring the waterways through Maidenhead would help to substantially improve the town for the benefit of everyone.
CINEMA SITE PLANS SUBMITTED...
After many years of neglect the disused cinema site that adjoins York Stream at Chapel Arches finally looks set to come back to life. A full planning application was submitted to RBWM in mid December 2007 and was due to be considered by borough planners in January 2008.
We have been talking to the owners CBRE for over a year now as their plans for this key site - for both the town and the waterways - have been developed. There are many aspects to the proposed plans for the site, but from our point of view the most important element is the opening up of and improving access from Bridge Street to the adjoining stream side, which will be relandscaped with an enlarged public area accessed by new circular steps down from the main road level (replacing the currently boarded up access ).
We are discussing the detailed plans with CBRE and also the council to see if they can be further improved before any final planning decision.
WATERWAYS GROUP SHORTLISTED FOR AWARD....
We were delighted and honoured to be shortlisted as a finalist in the 2007 Charity of the Year section of the annual RBWM sponsored awards for Community and Business Excellence. We collected our certificate at the award ceremony held at Ascot race course at the end of November and it is on display at sponsor Summerleaze's offices.
ENGINEERS AFLOAT IN YORK STREAM......
Engineers were down at York Stream again in November 2007, as part of technical feasibility work in readiness for the restoration of the waterways. A professional team from Costain’s Geotechnical division, which is based in Bourne End, worked from a raft in the middle of the stream to remove samples at various points from the bed for laboratory analysis. The work will help understand the make up of the river bed and identify any contaminants present.
Volunteers also commenced monitoring ground water and stream levels as part of an ongoing assessment programme of ‘dipping’ (measuring) at the piezometers/boreholes now installed along the route. A specialist measuring reel and sensor have been bought by the group, which allows the team to drop the sensor down each borehole until ground water is sensed and the exact depth can be read off. Stream water levels are also being logged and the data collected will be shared with the Environment Agency.
LET A THOUSAND (NO ...TWO THOUSAND!!) FLOWERS BLOOM
We were delighted with the turnout of over 40 volunteers for the Bulb Planting event in November 2007, despite the showery weather. Volunteers included many members from our own group, Furze Platt Scouts, Rotaract and the Chamber of Commerce plus councillors David Burbage (leader) and Derek Wilson - see picture below. Against the odds we managed to plant over 2,000 bulbs - twice as many as expected - by the Library on the banks above the picnic area.
Look out for the display in the spring, which will brighten up a dull part of town adjoining the waterway we aim to restore. Such was the enthusisam of our volunteers that we ran out of bulbs twice so our thanks to Braywick Nursery which came to the rescue and let us have some extra bulbs at short notice.
BORING, BORING, BORING...!!
There was major activity down at York stream in October 2007 as the installation of 11 piezometers/boreholes was completed by contractor Costains. Supervised by consultants Black and Veatch the engineers drilled the boreholes (each up to 5 metres deep..!) using a specialist mobile rig and installed permanent measuring tubes that will allow us to monitor ground water levels over time, conduct permeability tests and (from the core samples taken during drilling) confirm the make up of the sub soil around the waterways channel. The data gathered from the boreholes will be shared with the EA, which is already providing readings from its own boreholes to the north of Maidenhead, and will help to firm up the final engineering design of the waterway.
WATER RESOURCES STUDY
Consultants Black and Veatch have completed the first major step in proving the technical feasibility of the waterways restoration plans, a Water Resources study which our sponsor Summerleaze has generously funded. The study draws on a range of official data, plus a report prepared for the group by navigation adviser Paul Wagstaffe MBE, to assess the sources, losses and flow rates required by the restored waterway, including those needed for the operation of locks and for sweetening the flow in the enlarged channel to avoid weeds developing.
In short, based on the data available at this time, the draft report indicates that there is sufficient water available to support the operation of the waterways to the expected design capacity, with a risk of lower inflows for only a few days a year. Incorporating pumping is being considered as an option, to maintain water levels throughout the year to assure continuous navigation. The Environment Agency will now consider the report ahead of detailed technical discussions.
WATER WATER EVERYWHERE - WELL FOR A WHILE ANYWAY..!!
The exceptional rainfall in July 2007 caused serious flash flooding in many parts of the country, as drains and flood defenses failed to cope with up to 3 months of rainfall in a single day..!.
In Maidenhead we saw water levels in parts of the York Stream increase by a metre or more in just a few hours, as surface water run off and rising river and groundwater levels combined to cause problems in low lying areas. At Green Lane, the Braywick water treatment outlet was completely submerged, as obstructions further down the stream caused the water to back up.
The flooding perversely gave us a good impression of what a permanently raised water level through the town centre might look like. Current design assumptions for the restored waterway envisage raising water levels significantly less than occured naturally. We expect to establish a permanent stable water level which is c0.5 metres (c2ft) lower than recent temporary flood levels, but by using one or more locks aim to keep the water stable at this new level.
The main increase in water depth to allow boating will be achieved through dredging and clearance of channel undergrowth and other obstructions, which at the same time will increase flood capacity and improve protection at times of high flows. Moreover the lock and weir designs will be capable of being set open, so as to offer no resistance to flows and hence not increase flood risks.
MEMBERS BARBECUE AT THE LAKESIDE
Around 30 members and friends attended a social and fund raising barbeque in June 2007 at Maidenhead Sailng Club. The clouds cleared as dusk fell and an excellent supper was complemented by a perfect sunset over the lake. Our thanks are due to the Sailing Club for the use of the venue and to John Morgan and Colin Simmons for organising the food.
OFFICIAL CHARITY STATUS AWARDED..!
We were delighted to hear that the Charity Commission had in May 2007 approved our request to be granted official charity status. This follows the EGM decision to incorporate as a Company Limited by Guarantee and to apply to for charitable status. This is a key next step in our development, will assist funding efforts and potentially boost the value of member subscriptions via Gift Aid. The membership and business of the group will shortly transfer to the new legal entity, which will continue to be known as Maidenhead Waterways Restoration Group.
THERESA MAY TOURS WATERWAYS
Local MP and Shadow Leader of the House of Commons, Theresa May spent an hour in April 2007 walking the waterways route with MWRG officials. She was updated on our plans for the restoration work, progress to date and how the group has developed and grown since its formation a year ago.
Mrs May is very supportive of the project aims and the benefits it would bring to Maidenhead, as a key part of the emerging Maidenhead Town Centre-Towards 2026 plan.
IWAAC INCLUDES MWRG SCHEME IN LATEST SURVEY
The Government appointed Inland Waterways Amenity Advisory Council in April 2007 published the latest of its periodic surveys of Inland Waterways Restoration and Development Projects in the UK.
We were pleased to see The Maidenhead River Project included in the survey, which is an authoritative reference source for public bodies and grant providers. The survey reports details of and progress on some 118 waterways restoration projects across mainland UK, ranging in size from under £1m to c£150M..!
...and see the MWRG NEWS ARCHIVES at ...... NEWS ARCHIVES
