Agenda item

Purpose: To consider how West Berkshire Council can work with the Canal and River Trust, Sustrans and other partners in the effective management of the Kennet and Avon Canal Towpath.

(Councillor Steve Masters declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Agenda item 6 by virtue of the fact that he lived on the canal and paid a licence to the Canal and River Trust. As his interest was personal and prejudicial he elected to take part in the debate, but to not to vote on the matter).

(Councillor Tony Vickers declared a personal interest in Agenda item 6 by virtue of the fact that he was a Member of Newbury Town Council which was engaged in activities around the canal, and he was also a Member of the Local Access Forum, which considered use of the public rights of way network. As his interest was personal and not prejudicial he was permitted to take part in the debate and vote on the matter).

Paul Hendry presented a report (Agenda Item 6) on Securing Effective Management of the Kennet and Avon Canal. The report covered: the history of the canal; issues affecting use and management of the canal and its towpath; and the key stakeholders involved. It was noted that the Kennet and Avon Canal Partnership was due to come to an end in March 2023, when West Berkshire Council’s funding contribution of £25,000 per annum would also end. Discussions were needed regarding the future management of the canal and particularly its towpath. In terms of funding, Section 106 funds had been secured improvements in Newbury, but there was a risk that opportunities may be missed to secure funds from other sources. Also, concerns were expressed about local authorities acting in isolation.

Councillor Tony Vickers noted that the canal was a potential source of flooding, particularly in Central Newbury, and there was a lack of clarity as to who was responsible for elements of the canal. This aspect had not been addressed in the report, but it was of interest to West Berkshire Council as the local Flood Authority. Councillor Vickers recognised the value of the towpath for walkers and cyclists, and also the conflicts that could occur. He agreed that the Kennet and Avon Canal Partnership should be resurrected. It had been established to oversee expenditure of a substantial external grant. He expressed concern about potential loss of funding from 2023 onwards and agreed that stakeholders should work in partnership to secure funding for essential maintenance.

Jon Winstanley stated that the Environment Agency was the flood authority for the Kennet & Avon Canal and River Kennet. He also noted that a significant amount had been spent on flood defences in Newbury, and the Environment Agency and riparian owners had a responsibility to maintain these.

Councillor James Cole highlighted issues with: cyclists travelling too fast / too close to walkers; walkers with dogs not on leads; walkers with headphones who were oblivious to approaching cyclists; and lock breakages. He also noted that some people lived on the canal and it was important to represent their needs.

Councillor Claire Rowles asked how the canal supported sustainable transport and net zero carbon targets. She also stressed the importance of mental health and wellbeing benefits of accessing the canal.

Councillor Adrian Abbs had used the towpath for 20 years, but had never seen any active management / enforcement.

Paul Hendry acknowledged the focus of the report had been on the towpath and the cessation of funding, but recognised that there were wider implications. In terms of sustainable transport, the towpath offered an easy-to-use, traffic-free route walking and cycling route into the main towns of Newbury and Thatcham. Some people used the path for longer commuting trips by bike. Further work was needed to establish how many people used the towpath who would otherwise drive. In terms of managing conflict, a code of conduct had been drafted with the emphasis was on encouraging considerate behaviour.

Councillor Cole had heard that vegetation had been cut back at inappropriate times. He noted that the Council had reduced the amount it cut back vegetation on highway verges and asked if there was scope to do the same on the towpath to promote wildlife habitats.

Councillor Rowles asked who the Council’s representative was on the Kennet and Avon Partnership. It was confirmed that West Berkshire Council was not currently represented, but there was not a requirement to send someone.

The Chairman praised the report in terms of setting out the background and issues, but noted that there were few solutions proposed.

Mark Evans sought to address points raised by Members as follows:

·         The Canal and River Trust (CRT) undertook a lot of water control activity and information could be made available as required.

·         Campaigns were regularly  run to address the issue of speeding cyclists, with slogans such as ‘share the space – drop the pace’.

·         Many owners lived on their boats – some moved along the canal network, but some remained in West Berkshire.

·         Lock gates had a life expectancy of 20 years and were maintained at considerable cost.

·         The Kennet and Avon Canal Partnership was set up in response to the Heritage Lottery grant - local contributions were match-funding for that grant. The Partnership, which ceased to meet during the pandemic, had been a good mechanism for discussing issues and funding. A report was produced annually which outlined the CRT’s work.

·         Health and wellbeing was key to the CRT and there had been a significant increase in towpath users during Covid.

·         Byelaws were in force on the canal and towpath, but most enforcement activity was in relation to boats, since it was difficult to police the towpath.

·         The CRT had an Environment Team that strictly controlled where and when vegetation was cut back.

The Chairman noted that the match funding would cease in 2023 and asked where funding would come from in future. He also asked who would take the lead on putting together the new partnership.

Mark Evans indicated that CRT would be happy to lead on the partnership and strengthening this was crucial. He confirmed that £2 million was spent on the canal in West Berkshire each year, so £25,000 was a small proportion. Other sources of funding were available, including S106 funding. The Water Safety Partnership was cited as a good example of joint working, and had resulted in additional safety cabinets being installed. Having a link into the local authority was important to help identify appropriate officers in other departments.

Councillor Abbs indicated that meetings should resume and if additional funding would be required then this should be identified as soon as possible to aid budget planning. He recognised that it was difficulty to police the towpath, but suggested that conflicts may only be at certain times. He suggested that the monitored should be carried out to better understand the extend of the problem.

Councillor Vickers declared an interest in that he was a Member of the Canal and River Trust. He felt that the CRT was key to levering in additional funding. He highlighted that the canal was worth up to £30 million to the District in tourism. Newbury Town Council saw the canal as a unique selling point and he suggested that the Business Improvement District should be represented on the Partnership. He suggested that the Partnership should be reconvened and review its terms of reference, with additional partners invited to participate. It was noted that anglers were often responsible for clearing vegetation on the banks, which led to erosion problems - information was sought as to how much angling contributed in terms of revenue.

Councillor Rowles noted that appointments to outside bodes would be agreed at the Annual General Meeting in May.

Paul Hendry noted that the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust was not represented at the meeting – they had been the catalyst for bringing the local authorities together and should be involved in future arrangements.

Claire Poulton noted that Sustrans were doing a number of projects along the Kennet and Avon canal and they were keen to work in partnership with the Council as well as the CRT. Councillor Richard Somner had been contacted as portfolio holder for Transport, Planning and Countryside and invited to a meeting on site so he was clear about their aspirations. The Paths for Everyone Strategy set out the vision for the National Cycle Network (NCN) and how Sustrans would work with its partners to run the NCN. There was a 20 year plan to fix and grow the NCN. A series of 15 recommendations were included in the Strategy, which would help to make the path accessible for all. The aim was to make the path 3m wide and to have a hard surface where possible, and to remove barriers along the route. Local communities would be invited to help design, develop and maintain the network. The aspiration was to have 67% of the NCN traffic-free with the remainder as quiet ways by 2040. This would increase usage amongst cyclists, walkers and wheelchair / pushchair users. A Three-Year Review Report had been produced in 2021, which showed how the network had been improved. Plans for improvements to a 10km section of NCN4 between Aldermaston Wharf and Calcot were outlined.

Action: Gordon Oliver to circulate the Sustrans presentation.

The Chairman asked who Sustrans contacted if they needed to arrange for repairs on the towpath. Luke Dawson confirmed that most of the contact was with the CRT, but Clive Tombs was the main contact at West Berkshire Council.

Paul Hendry suggested that all interested parties needed to be involved in initial discussions.

Action: Paul Hendry to initiate discussions regarding resurrecting the Kennet & Avon Partnership

The Chairman suggested that the Leader of the Council be asked to appoint an elected Member as a representative on the Kennet and Avon Canal Partnership and that the Newbury Business Improvement District also be invited to take part.

Action: Councillor Alan Law to recommend to the Leader of the Council on behalf of OSMC that an elected Member be appointed as a representative on the Kennet and Avon Canal Partnership.

Action: Paul Hendry to invite the Newbury Business Improvement District to be part of the Kennet and Avon Canal Partnership.