Update on the Melksham Link
The latest edition of the Melksham Independent News [MIN] has a feature on the development of the Melksham Link which shows the proposed route of the Wilts and Berks canal from Semington to the Avon at Challymead. This shows details of the canal infrastructure (locks, bridges, moorings, aqueducts, culverts, winding holes and side ponds), but it has no details of any housing, hotel, camping or business development) along the way. Significantly for Semington, the previously proposed marina near the junction with the K&A is not included. A map of the route can be seen here.
The MIN reports that a resolution to the Environment Agency’s objections to the plans is in sight. Project manager for the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust, Paul Lenaerts, told Melksham News, “The Environment Agency are currently still maintaining their objection to the planning application, but we have reached agreement on all but two of their concerns, and we are hopeful that these can be resolved over the next few months.”
The objections relate to [i] the likely effects of discharging locks into the river, in low-flow river conditions, and on flows and levels particularly downstream of the proposed weir; and [ii] to the extent of the mitigation required to offset the negative environmental impact of the proposed weir (which has a maximum fall of around 30cm).”
This is interesting stuff. What are the chances, I wonder, of it going head.
As the article states it depends on getting the agreement of the Environment Agency and even after that there is the process of funding it, obtaining landowners permission etc etc. The Wilts & Berks Canal Trust https://www.wbct.org.uk/ has been working hard for many years to re-open this canal which will be an amenity for many of us. COVID-19 has highlighted what an asset a canal and its footpath can be to improve peoples well-being as well as being an asset for flora and fauna. Let’s hope it happens sooner rather than later.