Inland Waterways Phase 2. CWWW Waterways Templates

Transcription

1 Rural Development Programme for England/LEADER East Riding of Yorkshire and North Yorkshire (Ryedale District and Scarborough Borough) LEADER Local Action Group Coast, Wolds, Wetlands & Waterways Inland Waterways Phase 2 CWWW Waterways Templates Background During 2009/10 the RDPE LEADER CWWW programme funded consultants to research the waterways within the CWWW area. As part of this research nine waterway templates were produced which outline the primary purpose of the waterway; salient features; key organisations including the navigation authority where this exists; ownership where known; local partnerships; water uses and activities (including leisure activities such as angling and canoeing which use the water, and others such as walking and cycling which use adjacent paths and land); local history and built heritage; and important aspects of the natural environment such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). Contents 1 Driffield Navigation and River Hull 2 The Goole Area: Aire & Calder / River Aire / River Don / Dutch River and the River Ouse 3 Gypsey Race 4 Hedon Haven 5 Hornsea Mere 6 Market Weighton Canal 7 Pocklington Canal 8 River Derwent 9 Vale of Pickering / Upper Derwent / River Hertford / Yedingham Drain 1

2 1 DRIFFIELD NAVIGATION and RIVER HULL Overview and Description The Driffield Navigation is an extension of the River Hull, running from Driffield to Aike Beck (approximately 11 miles), with branches to Frodingham and Corps Landing. The River Hull from Aike Beck to the Humber is around 23 miles long. Beverley Beck and the Leven Canal branch from the River Hull, although the entrance to the latter is blocked. The river runs close to the outskirts of Beverley, which is the only major centre of population near the river between Driffield and Hull. All the locks on the Driffield Canal have been restored to use, but the fixed Wansford road bridge prevents navigation along the length of the canal. Primary Usage / Purpose Navigation Authority Amenity Society Water Users Drainage and Floods Natural Environment There are two other accommodation bridges to be replaced as well as a significant amount of dredging to remove contaminated sediment and increase the depth of the waterway to facilitate navigation. Leisure and canal boat use; commercial boat usage within Hull port. The River Hull and Driffield Navigation are also the main drainage channels for the Wolds and coastal areas. Driffield Navigation Trust; Environment Agency has powers to control navigation in relation to impact on water management for River Hull Driffield Navigation Amenities Association Cruisers, residential craft, canoes, sailing boats Beverley Beck Boating Association; Canal Cruises; Bethell's Bridge Boat Club; Hull Bridge Boat Club Drainage from the Holderness Plain is of critical importance to the area, achieved through the Holderness Drain, which runs broadly parallel to the river, and the River Hull. Precipitation on Wolds feeds the River Hull headwaters and Driffield Navigation via streams, drainage channels and underground spring system. This network forms the main drainage system for the whole East Riding River Hull Headwaters SSSI, Leven Canal SSSI, Pulfin Bog SSSI. Nationally important chalk stream and wetland habitats. Rare breeding birds All watercourses support legally protected Otter and Water Vole. Built Heritage Locks, wharfs, warehouses Major proposals developed by Driffield Partnership for regeneration of the Driffield Riverhead as a leisure and tourist destination 2

3 Beverley Barge Preservation Society Humber Keel and Sloop Preservation Society Leisure and Recreation Sport Social and Economic Inclusion Education Health Rural isolation Other interests, interested parties and local partnerships Physical linkages to other Waterways actual e.g. Transport [road, rail, bus] Walks, Cycle routes Other? Other connections between waterways e.g. Relating to any of the themes listed above Economic History, heritage Festivals, events Information sources and websites Walking, cycling and bird-watching, sailing, angling, canoes, kayaks School trips; guided walks; story boards Proposals for redevelopment of the head of navigation form part of the Driffield Renaissance regeneration programme. Linked to other inland waterways via the River Hull. Driffield Navigation Trust Driffield Partnership Holderness Flood Defence Group River Hull Flood Action Group 3

4 2 THE GOOLE AREA: AIRE & CALDER / RIVER AIRE / RIVER DON / DUTCH RIVER and the RIVER OUSE Overview and Description Goole is the centre of a network of natural and man-made waterways which link to the River Humber. The Aire & Calder Navigation runs from Leeds to Goole, a distance of some 35 miles. Approximately 10 miles of its overall length lies within the CWWW area. (Note only Old Goole lies within the CWWW Area, not the whole town of Goole.) For the last 5 miles from near East Cowick to Goole, the unnavigable Dutch River, an artificial channel cut to manage the overflow from the River Don, runs next to the Aire & Calder. The River Aire has a length of over 70 miles, rising near Malham in North Yorkshire, passing through Keighley, Bingley and Leeds, amongst other towns and cities. East of Knottingly the river runs broadly parallel to the M62, and from near Hensall until it empties into the Ouse it forms the boundary between North Yorkshire and the East Riding. Primary Usage / Purpose Navigation Authorities Amenity Society Water Users Drainage and Floods Natural Environment Built Heritage Leisure and Recreation Sport Social and Economic Inclusion Education Health The River Ouse flows from North Yorkshire, through York and Selby before arriving at Goole. Some 7 miles east of Goole, at Trent Falls, the Ouse merges with the Trent to form the Humber. Leisure and Freight Transport British Waterways (Aire & Calder), Environment Agency (Dutch River), Lower Ouse (Associated British Ports) Canal boats, barges and ships The Southfield Reservoir is at the junction of the Aire & Calder with the South Yorkshire Navigation and is used by the Beaver Sailing Club. Fishermen/women EA defences complete pro tem. Blacktoft Parish Council has interest in refurbishing pump at Yokefleet Humber Estuary SSSI, SAC, SPA & Ramsar Site Rare Species birds etc Southfield Reservoir is locally important for birds. RSPB reserve at Blacktoft Sands Museum s allotment in Old Goole Goole s Number 5 Boat Hoist Goole Boathouse (Marina and Club) Goole Model Boat Club ROOM 58 Floating Art Gallery (at the Museum) The Sobriety Project at the Yorkshire Waterways Museum utilises boats and the waters for a variety of social inclusion and education projects, including rehabilitation of offenders 4

5 Rural isolation Other interests, interested parties and local partnerships Physical linkages to other Waterways actual e.g. Transport [road, rail, bus] Walks, Cycling Other? Other connections between waterways e.g. Relating to any of the themes listed above Economic History, heritage Festivals, events from Moorland open prison, an extensive volunteer scheme, and a performing arts project, Castaway East Riding of Yorkshire Council: Museum Service, Adult Education Service and Youth Offending Team. Goole Development Trust Local Food Partnership Yorkshire Museums Federation National Community Boats Association The Aire & Calder and Dutch River terminate in Goole and connecting to the Ouse. The Derwent joins the Ouse at Long Drax right on the border of the CWWW area, approximately 4 miles north west of Goole. Train links between Goole and Gilberdyke and Broomfleet, both close to the Market Weighton canal. By making its collection, displays, events and expertise readily available to the public the Yorkshire Waterways Museum is a focus point for local and regional waterway interests. It also has a national profile for using the inland waterways for tackling social and economic exclusion through partnership delivery of contracts with non waterway organisations. Information sources and websites Snaith and Cowick Town Council Sobriety / Yorkshire Waterways Museum 5

6 3 GYPSEY RACE Overview and Description The Gypsey Race (GR) is a chalk stream running through the Great Wold Valley which runs eastwards from Wharram le Street to Burton Fleming, at which point it turns southwards to Rudston and from there eastwards to Bridlington It is the only surface stream on the High Wolds. (Luttons and Weaverthorpe Parish Plan 2008). The Race disappears for some part of its course rising again in Rudston and running out to Bridlington. The GR runs through mainly privately owned land It is both a water course and wildlife habitat Primary Usage / Purpose Navigation Authority Drainage Not applicable Amenity Society Water Users Drainage and Floods Natural Environment The Chalk River Trust which includes Natural England, Environment Agency, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. The Chalk Rivers Trust includes GR in the waterways which it supports. Recreational use from where the GR passes under the A165 close to Bridlington The East Yorkshire Chalk rivers are important for wildlife including the rare Otter and Water Vole. The chalk rivers are under increasing threat from water abstraction, land drainage, agricultural runoff, flood defences and urban development. (Chalk Rivers Trust Website) Rare Northern Chalk Stream Geological record Great Wold Valley Voles and otters Boynton Willow Garth SSSI Wet Woodland and Geological Various Countryside Stewardship Scheme and Environmental Stewardship Scheme Agreements. Chalk Rivers Trust carries out some or all of the following Fisheries and Ecological Surveys. Fish Stock & fish environment manipulation. Control of alien plant species. Wild Life Surveys Built Heritage Leisure and Recreation Within the potential project for the Western GR there are plans to map and document buildings of historic interest Again within the proposed project it is hoped to develop links between villages along the GR by developing the footpath along the GR and others in the area and encourage their use by local people and others from outside the area. Essentially to link up places of geography and interest and 6

7 Sport Social and Economic Inclusion Education Health Rural isolation Other interests, interested parties and local partnerships Physical linkages to other Waterways actual e.g. Transport [road, rail, bus] Walks, Cycle routes Other? Other connections between waterways e.g. Relating to any of the themes listed above Economic History, heritage Festivals, events Information sources and websites promote the area and its assets Schools have been involved in work to restock the GR with trout so there has been an educational and involvement of local young people in the work of the Trust. The Parish plan of Luttons and Weaverthrorpe has included the Gypsey Race in its plans and mentions the watervole, barn owls and the state of local footways and cycleways. Wolds Way goes through Wharram le Street B1253 runs close to the Gypsey Race for parts of its length Work currently underway to protect wildlife and habitat. Also interesting development to see the GR as a focus for community involvement and activity between those villages through which the GR passes from where it rises - development of footpaths, and profile of its heritage. Potential project The Great Wold Valley An ancient place in a modern context is being developed looking at the Environment, built heritage, customs and traditions, locality and commerce The East Yorkshire Chalk Rivers Trust Luttons and Weaverthorpe Parish Plan

8 4 HEDON HAVEN Overview and Description Hedon is 6 miles east of Hull, and 1.5 miles from the River Humber. The Hedon Haven was closed in the early 1970s, and the majority of the river was filled in. The Burstwick Drain was extended to meet the old Haven; this then became the main river. Primary Usage / Purpose Navigation Authority Amenity Society Water Users Drainage and Floods Currently the Haven contributes to drainage of South Holderness. Apart from this, the Haven has no current use, and the land is derelict. Not applicable Hedon Preservation Society takes up this role. None. Proposals would re-open the Haven to navigation to the Humber and beyond. A marina is planned as part of the proposed redevelopment, and fishing would be introduced. Nearby Burstwick Drain forms part of the East Riding s drainage system, but could not cope with the floods of 2007, with the village of Burstwick and the town of Hedon being two of the worst affected places in the East Riding. Proposals include excavation to create capacity to hold waters in the river and marina, which would contribute to flood management. Natural Environment Built Heritage Leisure and Recreation The fields either side of the Haven are of ecological interest. Areas of saltmarsh, mudflat and subtidal flats which are located downstream of Hedon Haven (at the confluence of the Humber & Haven) are included in the Humber Estuary SSSI, candidate Special Area of Conservation (csac), Special Protection Area (SPA) and Ramsar site. Proposals may enhance current wetland and wildlife areas and create country park at the marina itself but potential impacts on the designated sires (SSSI etc) would need to be assessed. Parish church of St Augustine, known as the 'King of Holderness', is a Grade 1 listed building. The Haven bed is designated an Ancient Monument. Fort Paull Museum Links to the Hornsea-West coast cycle track, and close to attractions in Hull. Proposals would include field study facilities, boating, fishing and walking; also visitor centre, hotel, camping and caravan sites. 8

9 Sport Social and Economic Inclusion Education Health Rural isolation Other interests, interested parties and local partnerships Physical linkages to other Waterways actual e.g. Transport [road, rail, bus] Walks, Cycle routes Other? Other connections between waterways e.g. Relating to any of the themes listed above Economic History, heritage Festivals, events Information sources and websites Sport facilities close by. Story boards Hedon Museum, Hedon Town Council Historic and potential links to the Humber and hence beyond. Hedon was a thriving port in the 11 th and 12 th centuries, but went into rapid decline as the port and town of Hull was established on the Humber. Hedon Navigation Trust 9

10 5 HORNSEA MERE Overview and Description Hornsea Mere is the largest natural lake in Yorkshire, approximately 2 miles long and ¾ mile at its widest point. Covering some 470 acres, it is a freshwater lake, but only a mile from the coast. Primary Usage / Purpose Navigation Authority Amenity Society Water Users Drainage and Floods Natural Environment Built Heritage Leisure and Recreation Sport Social and Economic Inclusion Education Health Rural isolation Other interests, interested parties and local partnerships Leisure Not applicable. The Wassand estate owns the Mere Not applicable Sailing (Hornsea Sailing Club, Hornsea Mere Marine; includes national racing events), rowing, boat trips, fishing Not applicable Designated Special Protection Area, of international importance for a migratory population of gadwall. Bird-watching; walking; putting green Links to the Hornsea Area Renaissance Partnership regeneration programme Physical linkages to other Waterways actual e.g. Transport [road, rail, bus] Walks, Cycle routes Other? Other connections between waterways e.g. Relating to any of the themes listed above Economic History, heritage Festivals, events Information sources and websites Hornsea Mere Marine Hornsea Sailing Clubhttp:// Wassand Hall 10

11 6 MARKET WEIGHTON CANAL Overview and Description Runs North-South from south of Market Weighton into the Humber, a distance of some 12 miles. The original canal River Head was some 2 miles outside the town, and the upper 3 miles north of Sodhouse Lock was abandoned in 1900 and is largely filled in. The canal is self-contained, with no links to any navigable waterways. The River Foulness swings in a wide arc from north of Market Weighton, joining the Canal just north of where the M62 crosses the Canal and about a mile south of Sodhouse Lock. Primary Usage / Purpose Navigation Authority Amenity Society Water Users Drainage and Floods Natural Environment Newport is the only town or village on the Canal Drainage. Formal powers held by the Drainage Board; in practice Environment Agency, as a main river. Technically the Humber lock still enables narrow-boat transit. None Fishing around Newport, canoeing (mainly between Newport and the Humber). Canal boat usage is negligible as there are closure orders at various points (Humber lock is perhaps used once a year?) The Market Weighton Drainage Board covers a drainage area of some 20,000Ha. Some 85% of the drainage district catchment area drains into the Market Weighton Canal, hence the importance of the Canal, and its main river outfall at Weighton Lock. The Canal is therefore one of the most important drainage waterways in the CWWW area There is a SSSI at South Cliffe Common, 2-3 miles from the canal, and a former quarry has been transformed by Yorkshire Wildlife Trust into a large wetland bird sanctuary situated at North Cave. These rely on managed water levels balanced with the needs of drainage. Otter and water vole. The canal itself is important wildlife corridor supporting good populations of dragonflies and damselflies. Borrow pits adjacent to the canal supports the nationally scarce plant Greater Water Parsnip. The canal, its margins and adjacent wetlands also support rare birds of prey. Built Heritage Leisure and Recreation Canoeing on adjacent lake on reclaimed excavation contact Hull & District Canoe Club Sport Social and Economic Inclusion Education Health Rural isolation Other interests, interested Newport Parish Council is working with the adjacent Parish 11

12 parties and local partnerships Physical linkages to other Waterways actual e.g. Transport [road, rail, bus] Walks, Cycle routes Other? Councils of Gilberdyke and North Cave around transforming the B1230. Aspirations are to develop a rural community corridor and to embrace Canal potential within that. M62 and B1230 run East-West over the Canal. Wolds Way walk goes close to Market Weighton, but not to the canal. Other connections between waterways e.g. Relating to any of the themes listed above Economic History, heritage Festivals, events Information sources and websites Market Weighton Drainage Board 12

13 7 POCKLINGTON CANAL Overview and Description The canal is 9.5 miles long and runs from Canal Head near Pocklington to join the River Derwent at East Cottingwith. Six of the nine locks have been restored. Cottingwith Lock has recently been repaired and re-gated. Primary Usage / Purpose Navigation Authority Amenity Society Water Users Drainage and Floods Natural Environment Built Heritage Leisure and Recreation Sport Social and Economic Inclusion Education Health Rural isolation Other interests, interested parties and local partnerships Physical linkages to other Waterways actual e.g. Melbourne is the largest village on the canal. Canal Head is close to the A1079 York-Hull road and approximately a mile south of Pocklington town centre. The canal is mainly used by pedestrians and apart from the popular picnic site at Canal Head, most of the canal is peaceful. Nature conservation is a primary consideration. A small number of narrowboats and smaller craft use the canal. British Waterways Pocklington Canal Amenity Society (PCAS) Canal boat usage is currently restricted to the stretch between the Derwent and Melbourne, but navigation will be extended to near the village of Bielby. PCAS has a trip boat New Horizons, which operates from Melbourne Arm and runs public trips on Sundays and Bank Holidays. Individuals and clubs use canoes on the canal. Angling: fishing rights are leased from British Waterways by the York and District Amalgamation of Angers. The canal contains a variety of fish. Nearly the whole length of the canal is included in one of three SSSIs: Derwent Ings, Melbourne & Thornton Ings, and with the upper reaches of the canal being a SSSI in its own right. Derwent Ings and Melbourne and Thornton Ings form part of the Lower Derwent valley SPA, Ramsar site and SAC. The canal has featured in a recent pilot Heritage Partnership Agreement. Listed structures include the locks and four road bridges. The towpath and adjacent footpaths make for attractive walking country, especially as the area is largely flat. A picnic area has been created around the basin at Canal Head. Story boards British Waterways, PCAS, Natural England, the Environment Agency, English Heritage and ERYC work closely together regarding the management and safeguarding of the canal and hold regular liaison meetings The A1079 between York and Hull runs adjacent to Canal Head. 13

14 Transport [road, rail, bus] Walks, Cycle routes Other? Other connections between waterways e.g. Relating to any of the themes listed above Economic History, heritage Festivals, events Information sources and websites The Wolds Way is some 2.5 miles from Canal Head as the crow flies. Pocklington Canal Amenity Society British Waterways Waterscape 14

15 8 RIVER DERWENT Overview and Description This description refers to the section of the River Derwent from Malton in the north to the junction with the River Ouse in the south. Primary Usage / Purpose Water extraction for residents of York, Leeds, Hull etc. Major agricultural land usage. Navigation Authority None Sutton Lock to Barmby: Environment Agency has powers to control navigation in relation to impact on water management. Amenity Society Water Users No formal amenity society. Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Natural England and Derwent Valley Conservation Group all play a part. This river has been the subject of one of the longest and hardest fought navigation disputes in the UK, peaking in the 1970s and 1980s with the legal dispute reaching the House of Lords. Despite this several rights remain unclear. Malton to Stamford Bridge: this stretch of the river is used by anglers and canoeists (although there continues to be disagreement about the latter s rights). There is no right of access for canoeists without riparian owners consent. Stamford Bridge to Barmby and onwards: canal boat usage including into the Ouse, connecting to Selby moorings and the Trent. Although public navigation exists from Barmby to Sutton there is no established general right of navigation through Elvington Lock and on north of Sutton. Drainage and Floods Natural Environment Important role in drainage; Environment Agency responsible for flood control and drainage. The river includes the important Lower Derwent National Nature Reserve, which covers the whole stretch of the Derwent from Sutton to Barmby. The River itself is a designated SSSI and Special Area of Conservation from Ryemouth to Barmby. Details of River Derwent SSSI are available from Natural England s website. SAC features include otter, water crowfoot, lamprey and bull head. Any plans, proposal etc would be subject to Appropriate Assessment under Habitat Regulations. Lower Derwent Valley is a separate SAC, Special Protection Area and Ramsar site comprising 4 separate SSSI. Some sections and declared as National Nature Reserve. Pocklington Canal forms part of two of these SSSI (and associated designations) and some is a separate SSSI as well The whole system is a significant conservation site. 15

16 Built Heritage Leisure and Recreation Sport Social and Economic Inclusion Education Health Rural isolation Other interests, interested parties and local partnerships Physical linkages to other Waterways actual e.g. Transport [road, rail, bus] Walks, Cycle routes Other? Other connections between waterways e.g. Relating to any of the themes listed above Economic History, heritage Festivals, events Information sources and websites Kirkham Priory is 12 th century. Howsham Mill? Pathways incomplete in Lower Derwent: reinstatement would assist greater leisure use. Malton and Stamford Bridge are the only towns on this stretch of the river, but there are also several small settlements. Pocklington Canal connects to the Derwent near East Cottingwith. Major roads from York to the coast cross the Derwent. Stamford Bridge is the site of one of the great battles of Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Derwent Valley Conservation Group The Yorkshire River Derwent Moments in Time, Ian Carstairs,

17 9 Vale of Pickering / Upper Derwent / River Hertford / Yedingham Drain Overview and Description The Vale of Pickering runs from West to East bordered by the Wolds in the South and the North York Moors in the North. It is flat land that has been historically underwater and is now a mix of wetland pasture (ings) and arable land that is peaty in character. Running through the vale is the Upper Derwent which rises in the North York Moors. The Vale is largely drained land on which drains and ditches run in to the Derwent and also the River Hertford which is canalised. The Derwent is the northern boundary of the Leader area which then runs to the coast between Filey and Scarborough. The land in the vale is primarily farm land and supports significant level of biodiversity. There is a history of settlement that is Pre- Roman and has been settled since. There is also the Yedingham Drain mid way along the vale. Primary Usage / Purpose Navigation Authority Farmland River Derwent and River Hertford: No navigation authority, but Environment Agency has powers to control navigation in relation to impact on water management. Yedingham Drain Yedingham Drainage Board Navigation rights are vested in riparian owners Amenity Society Water Users Drainage and Floods Natural Environment Built Heritage Leisure and Recreation Sport Social and Economic Inclusion Education Health Rural isolation Other interests, interested parties and local partnerships N/A The Derwent supplies drinking water via a pumping station at Irton. Growing demand means that additional water is being pumped from Bridlington in the south Some of the area is underwater in the winter months Work is underway to promote agricultural stewardship particularly of the Cayton and Flixton areas of the Vale. Work is undertaken with farmers to encourage them to seek funding to support the different and sustainable usage of the land to encourage bio diversity etc Archaeological heritage re: historical settlement. NE Yorks Geology Trust guided walks Minimal. Some fishing and wildlife related activity Cayton and Flixton partnership aims to develop community and education programs on the coast between Scarborough and Reighton and promote the creation of coastal nature reserves Cayton and Flixton partnership: membership includes Environment Agency, North Yorks County Council, RSPB, Ryedale District Council, Scarborough District Council, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, 17

18 Natural England, and English Heritage. Emphasis is on supporting partners in the protection and enhancement of Local Sites (including SSSIs) through liaison with landowners and communities. Physical linkages to other Waterways actual e.g. Transport [road, rail, bus] Walks, Cycle routes Other? Other connections between waterways e.g. Relating to any of the themes listed above Economic History, heritage Festivals, events Information sources and websites There are public footpaths rights of way across the Vale of Pickering and the Wolds Way runs along the Northern edge of the Vale. History and Archaeology shared with Gypsey Race, Hedon Navigation and the development of the canals in the CWWW Area Derwent Riverside Project / Castle Garden Muston & Yedingham IDB Ryedale Bio-Diversity Action Plan 18

19 19