B&MK WATERWAY PARK. All along the route things are happening

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1 2018 B&MK WATERWAY PARK will see some real progress along the route. After years of telling our members things are happening behind the scenes, just wait for next year, this year we can report on actual and impending progress on several important projects along the route. Some of these we have flagged up as likely, but in this edition of the Newsletter we bring you some significant updates: Campbell Park (see p4, and A on the map below) Marston Vale (p3, B) Bedford Business Park (p5, C) Head of Navigation (p6, D) Also, in November 2017 the final report from the National Infrastructure Commission report (see P5) recognised us as an opportunity to create a green infrastructure asset which contributes to wider placemaking objectives. This recognition will help strengthen our case for funding as part of the softer side of infrastructure in the Oxford-Cambridge corridor where the Waterway Park will improve the surroundings and wellbeing for those who will live along the route. March 2018 Volume 16 no 1 PATRON Sir Samuel Whitbread KCVO D C B A All along the route things are happening f you are a member, you should have received the formal notice of our I Annual General Meeting with this B&MK News. This will be held on 26th June 2018 at the United Reformed Church in Newport Pagnell, where we met last year (and several other years previously). Registration will be available from 7pm, and we will start the proceedings at 7:30. We aim to complete the formalities without delay, and there will be an update from Jane Hamilton as well as a briefing on the current position of the John Bunyan. We will also have a talk from Steve Wood on the Uttoxeter Canal. Light refreshments will be provided (donations towards the cost welcome!) and there will be a raffle, for which prizes are also welcome. We hope to see as many as possible of you there. e continue to hold members evenings twice a year, at the opposite ends W of the route. These are your easiest opportunities to find out the detail of what is happening (especially behind the scenes), to ask questions, make suggestions, and socialise with other members over a drink. The report of the last meeting is on page 5, along with the details of the next two. 1 Where Sold

2 View from the Chair his is the first newsletter of 2018 and T already Spring is around the corner and another cruising season for the John Bunyan is fast approaching. I mentioned in the last newsletter how vital the work and support of all the John Bunyan volunteers is in keeping the Trust afloat and this will continue to be the case as we do all we can to get the Bedford and Milton Keynes Waterway Park underway. With the arrival of 2018 there are some exciting plans afoot. Linking the lakes in the Marston Vale has taken a big step forward. O&H Properties have launched their plans to create a number of new villages in the Marston Vale with a significant length of the Waterway Park at the heart of new development, linking Stewartby and Brogborough Lakes. There is still some way to go before we know whether the proposed development will go ahead and the proposals will be the subject of extensive consultation. The issue of where and when to build new homes is always a difficult one for local authorities. Long standing communities are justifiably concerned about impacts on their area. However, the Trust is very pleased that, in identifying sites for new housing in its Local Plan, Central Bedfordshire Council has recognised the benefits which the Waterway Park can bring to new communities. You can read more about the Marston Valley plans elsewhere in this newsletter. A brief word about Central Bedfordshire s Local Plan. As many of you may be aware the Waterway Park has a specific section in the Local Plan. The policies to support our project are very clear and we have already urged you, our Members, to consider endorsing them. Whilst it is very different to being out on site helping build or restore a waterway, supporting our project through the planning process is a very real way in which you can help. Keep an eye on our website for news about how and when you can contribute. We are making progress elsewhere and getting support from partners on the Consortium. In Milton Keynes, Crest Nicholson have started doing preliminary work for their new development in Campbell Park alongside the Grand Union Canal. We hope to bring you regular updates as the scheme, including a section of the Waterway and a new marina, starts to take shape. In Bedford the Trust has agreed the location for a new landing stage at Kempston on Council owned land and preliminary work to gain a license to dredge is underway. The Trust has allocated 20,000 towards opening the Head of Navigation and the Council has matched this sum together with further contributions from Kempston Councillors. Little by little we are starting to see parts of the Waterway Park being built into new development. However, there is still a very great deal to do. The majority of the Waterway Park remains unfunded and our job is to persuade those who may have the powers, the funding and the capacity to help deliver the project to work with us. I wrote last year about our efforts to promote the Waterway Park as an important part of new infrastructure in the Oxford/Milton Keynes/Cambridge corridor. We made submissions to the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) arguing that alongside the hard infrastructure like new roads and railways, the Waterway Park had a vital role to play as the softer side of development, helping to create pleasant places to live and bringing important environmental benefits. The NIC published their final report, Partnering for Prosperity, in November 2017 and we were delighted to see that the Waterway Park was recognised as an opportunity to create a green infrastructure asset which contributes to wider placemaking objectives The Waterway Park also features in the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnerships (SEMLEP) Economic Strategy The Bedford and Milton Keynes Waterway Park is an environmental infrastructure project that, by linking the Grand Union Canal at Milton Keynes to the Great Ouse river at Bedford and joining the main UK canal network with the Fenland waterways aims to increase biodiversity and improve water management in the middle of the Growth Corridor, as well as creating jobs and stimulating the local visitor economy. Just words, but they matter, particularly in the context of longer term plans for the Oxford / Milton Keynes / Cambridge growth corridor. We want to see the Waterway Park built into plans for new infrastructure which are being drawn up. To help achieve this the Trust continues to lobby at all levels, attending conferences and other opportunities to push for our project to be endorsed. In December I attended a Westminster Social Policy Forum in London to hear presentations about new road and rail schemes between Oxford and Cambridge, but I also took the opportunity to ask when the Waterway Park would also be recognised as an important aspect of growth. I spoke with the chair of the conference Iain Stewart, the MP for Milton Keynes South, to brief him on progress. He was recently named as the government champion for the growth corridor and subsequently chaired a further session in Westminster in January where he launched an All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) to oversee plans for the area. For me this was another excellent opportunity to lobby MPs, Councillors and other movers and shakers. Work on updating the Economic Impact of the Waterway is nearly complete so more news about that next time. At the local level the Trust will be aiming to get to know some of our local Parish and Town Councils a little better during As sections of the Waterway start to take shape we want to ensure we have as much support as possible from those who will be living or working along (Continued on page 3) 2

3 Marston Valley an exciting boost for the Waterway Park n early February the section of the Waterway Park between Brogborough and Stew- I artby Lakes took a big step forward. Landowners, O&H Properties Ltd, launched their proposals for a series of new villages with the Bedford and Milton Keynes Waterway as a key feature. At this stage O&H are seeking some for waterside living as well as properties in village centres. The variety of homes will reflect local need and will include a mix of house types including affordable homes, accommodation for older people, starter homes and self-build plots. Only about a quarter of the site will be developed for housing: homes The area between Stewartby and Brogborough lakes, showing the Waterway as part of the plan early views on their ideas but the concept is consistent with Central Bedfordshire s Local Plan and could help deliver much needed housing in the area. O&H anticipate that Marston Valley will deliver up to 5,000 homes, built over the next 20 years, in a series of linked villages separated from each other and existing settlements by extensive parkland. There will be opportunities (Continued from page 2) the route. We continue to run talks for local groups and publicise the Waterway Projects at local events the big one this year being the Bedford River Festival. With so much to do and so many balls to juggle we are always very keen to hear from any of our members who can help, either by joining the Board or lending a hand at events. This year more than most we are really going to need our members! will be situated among public open spaces and community facilities. Marston Valley will meet local housing needs. A new navigable section of Bedford and Milton Keynes Waterway Park linking Brogborough and Stewartby Lakes will be created as part of the proposals. This will provide access throughout the scheme for a variety of boats as well as a place for walking, cycling and generally enjoying the natural surroundings. The Waterway Park will form the central spine of the whole development together with a wider network of waterways within the scheme, enabling a waterside setting and an attractive outlook for as many new homes as possible. You can find out more at The Trust will also keep you up to date on this via the newsletter and our website so watch this space.it could lead to the first major section of the Waterway becoming a reality! 3

4 Crest Nicholson write: Work gets underway for exciting Milton Keynes Canalside development A view of the Campbell Park Canalside development showing the marina and start of the Waterway Crest Nicholson has now begun work to prepare land owned by Milton Keynes Development Partnership at the Campbell Park Canalside site for an exciting development. Along with a new marina, the plans include 383 new homes - of which 115 will be affordable - and a range of other amenities. A canal-side pub will be created along with a new 117 berth marina and a new inlet will form the start of the proposed Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Park. A new bridge will lead 4 over the Grand Union Canal to the residential units which will sit alongside a café, restaurant, convenience store and nursery. The first stage of construction work itself is expected to begin in April 2018, but in the meantime preparation works are well underway to prepare the site for development. For more information about the development, or to be added to the mailing list for updates, please campbellpark@crestnicholson.com Milton Keynes Illuminated Boat Festival s part of the 50 years of Milton Keynes celebrations, the Canal and River Trust organised an A illuminated boat festival on the Grand Union canal on the 2 3 December last year. The twoday event aimed to show off the waterways to the people of Milton Keynes and encourage them to visit and spend some time along the canal. One of the illuminated boats (Picture courtesy K Doddington) The free event was an overwhelming success. There were opportunities to see boats travel up and down the Grand Union brightly lit until they moored at Campbell Park. There were other supporting events and lots of fun for everyone. Hopefully with the new marina on its way, this will be the first of many such events at Campbell Park where the Bedford and Milton Keynes Waterway will join the Grand Union.

5 Autumn Members Evening he Autumn 2017 Members Evening was T held at Box End Park, Kempston, at the end of November. Bedford Business Park shows the Waterway as part of the plan Jane Hamilton addressed the meeting, starting by explaining that we are talking to several bodies, especially local councils, and that we must begin with the message, well known to those present, of the strategic importance of the route. The route is now protected in the local plans, and Jane was able to give an idea of the Central Bedfordshire proposals, which have since been published (see p3). Progress has also been made on the Bedford Business Park. This plan is in the final stages before receiving planning permission, and the Waterway is central to the plan. This is not just protecting the route - there will be water as the Waterway is part of the drainage systems for the site. There are one or two things that we are discussing with the developer to makes sure that our requirements are met, but this long planned project is finally coming to fruition. The Campbell Park development (see P4) has received planning permission. Although it will not provide as much of the Waterway as the picture below suggests, it will provide the all- The proposed Campbell Park Marina, showing the Waterway route 5 important breakthrough into the Grand Union Canal. Next on the agenda was the Head of Navigation project. See page 6 for Julian s latest update. Jane emphasised that the plan was to enable all sorts of boats, not just the John Bunyan, to get up river and to make Kempston into a destination. We next heard how, over the last couple of years, our strategy has been refined, to pick up on the points which are most likely to be able to release funds, by aligning the Park s benefits as closely as possible to Government initiatives. Consequently the aspects of the Waterway we are emphasising are: That it is a catalyst for environmentally led regeneration. (Marston Vale brickworks in particular) New green infrastructure can create a sense of place for new settlements Creating new jobs in construction and leisure & tourism Promoting healthier lifestyles Increasing biodiversity by linking major wetlands Improving water management in the region: water storage, drainage and flood prevention Creating a vital link in the Anglian regional waterway network by creating the first new waterway for 100 years. This is clearly beginning to work, as when the National Infrastructure Commission issued its report on the Oxford - Cambridge Arc, we were mentioned. This could make all the difference when bidding for funds as this infrastructure is built. As usual, the meeting was quite well attended but we can always welcome more members, so why not see if you can attend one of the next ones (details below). It is a great way to keep up to date with what is happening, and to ask your own questions. Future Meetings he next members evening will be on 27th T March at the New Inn, 2 Bradwell Rd, New Bradwell, Milton Keynes MK13 0EN. We will meet in the upstairs room at 7:30 - why not bring a drink upstairs with you? The autumn meeting will be on the John Bunyan at its berth in Priory Marina, Bedford. on 10th September, also at 19:30.

6 No transfer of EA waterways to CRT Waterways World reports: he transfer of Environment Agency waterways to Canal & River Trust control will not T now take place, at least for the foreseeable future. In a letter to CRT in January, the Department for Food, Agriculture & Rural Affairs said it was not minded to go ahead with the transfer, after terms could not be agreed on the limits of control and financing. The proposal for CRT to take on navigational responsibility of the Thames, the Anglian rivers and some other waterways has been under discussion ever since the trust was launched in Recently talks have accelerated, and there was hope an agreement would be made this year. IWA sources said the Environment Agency was thought to be in favour of handing over its navigational responsibilities to CRT. But Defra seemed sceptical, with a spokesperson announcing: The Canal & River Trust s outline proposal has not matched our ambitions in two key areas - value for public money and efficient management of the waterways." However, he added that talks have not been broken off. The Government remains open to a revised proposal from CRT, and the Environment Minister, Thérèse Coffey, has offered a further meeting with the Trust, the statement concluded. Defra strongly denied a rumour we had earlier reported, that one reason for the breakdown was that it has its hands full with Brexit. CRT said it was disappointed, with a trust spokesman saying: We remain convinced that the transfer would be in the wider public interest. It would deliver the real essence of value for taxpayers, and benefits for the users of these waterways while securing the longterm future of the navigations themselves. The Inland Waterways Association also echoed CRT s sentiments. We are extremely disappointed to hear from the Environment Agency that Defra has been unable to agree CRT s recent proposal for taking over the navigations run by EA. "IWA believes that a transfer of EA navigations remains the best way to ensure the future of these waterways with the minimum impact on the public purse. The River Thames Society, for its part, welcomed the decision. It has argued against the transfer of control and for the retention of one management body for the non-tidal Thames. River Thames Society chairman Peter Finch said, We very much hope the long period of uncertainty is finally over, that all resources can now be devoted to river maintenance and improvement, while we continue to press for increased core funding. A CRT source said talks continue with Surrey and Hampshire County councils on its proposed takeover of the Basingstoke Canal, the next most likely candidate for transfer. 6 Head of Navigation Julian Armitage writes: he original brief of the Head of Navigation T Group was to address the four key elements critical to making the River Great Ouse navigable to the point where the new Waterway to Milton Keynes will branch off the river. These were: Raise or replace the footbridge at Kempston Mill Dredge the river in the shallow areas downstream of Kempston Build a lock through or adjacent to the current weir Move the Legal Head of Navigation up to Box End from its current point at Kempston Mill with the agreement of the appropriate landowners. Later there was a suggestion from the John Bunyan Team to build a landing stage at Kempston and the Council have since been keen to assist with this. Our first significant step forward was achieved just over two years ago when the Environment Agency arranged and funded a survey of the river where it was too shallow for most of the cruisers and especially the John Bunyan. Information board similar to that ordered for Kempston So initially our aim is to extend the navigable part of the River Great Ouse upstream as far as Kempston Mill Bridge. This will enable the John Bunyan and other boats to enhance their range of cruises by having a new destination. So far we are moving towards obtaining permission to dredge as this is written we wait to take samples from the river (in quite difficult flood conditions), which forms part of the necessary process to obtain a dredging permit from The Environment Agency. We also have an agreement with Bedford Borough Council to lease the site for a landing stage at Kempston and are getting quotes from (Continued on page 7)

7 Events Calendar 2018 Any time (to be agreed) A talk by one of our experienced talks team members to your group, or any team of decision makers you can help us to meet. 27 March 2018 Members Evening - New Inn, Bradwell. See p5 2 June 2018 Bedford High Street Event: B&MK Stand* 26 June 2018 B&MK AGM - Newport Pagnell. See p1 14 & 15 July 2018 Bedford River Festival: B&MK Stand* Aug 2018 IWA Festival - St Neots: B&MK Stand* 10 Sept 2018 Members Evening - On the John Bunyan. See p5 October 2018 Annual Partnership Conference - Bedford * At these events we intend to have a stand publicising the Trust. In most cases we will be sharing with, or be next to, the John Bunyan. Please volunteer a little time to help us on these stands, they are one of our main ways of communicating with the public and recruiting new members. You will not be left on your own until you are comfortable, there will be a more experienced person from the Trust or the boat with you until then. We normally plan about 2 hour stints on the stand. If you really feel that you cannot help on the stand, we need extra hands for short periods to set up and break down at the beginning and end of each event. Your help would be very welcome for this, too. Pam Williams will be organising the rota for each of these three events. If you can help, please contact her at: beautifulpam14@hotmail.com If you want more information please use the same address, and Pam will forward your to the appropriate person. (Continued from page 6) contractors for the construction of this as well as the dredging contract. There is a willingness from all involved for this to happen quickly, but unfortunately there is a fair amount of red tape and bureaucracy to wade through before we succeed. Our most recent success is that we have permission to erect a notice board at Kempston explaining our vision as well as information on the John Bunyan. A generous grant to pay for nearly all the cost of this has been received from Kempston Borough Councillor, Shan Hunt. We expect to see this in place in the next month or so. Our next target will be to raise or replace the bridge at Kempston and venture further upstream. B&MK News Published by the Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust. Editor...Leigh Willows Proof Readers...Don & Jill Allison Photo enhancement...steve Ashley Distribution...Leigh Willows Printed by...bcq Comments or articles for inclusion in the next edition should be sent to: editor@b-mkwaterway.co.uk The John Bunyan leaves a lock on its way to Earith for painting 7

8 John Bunyan Update Graham Mabbutt, Commercial Director (Volunteer) B&MK Waterway Enterprises reports: pring is on its way which means it is time S for the John Bunyan to take to the water again. As we depend on volunteers to crew The John Bunyan being lifted out at Earith our boat, the first task is to encourage them to volunteer again after the winter break. We will be offering refresher training courses during March prior to launching our cruises in April. New volunteers will also undertake familiarisation courses in March. If you are already a volunteer you will be notified via the volunteers newsletter. If you would like to volunteer, then please go to our website: and download the application form. We welcome all help whether you want to be cabin crew, deck crew, helm or boatmaster, and we are always looking for volunteers to help with our stands at various events. The John Bunyan boat has had its first overall major repaint (including the hull which is normally underwater) this has to be done every five years. In addition, other mechanical and technical work has taken place, plus the cabin has had its woodwork varnished. So, the boat was in pristine condition to appear at The Barns Hotel Wedding Fayre on Sunday 18 th February. Our cruise plans for 2018 are all in place with our usual mixture of Thursday, Saturday and Sunday public and special cruises. We are keeping to the same successful pattern that has brought us so much success last year, a mixture of public cruises towards Kempston upstream and to Cardington Lock downstream, plus our highly successful Afternoon Tea Cruises, Lunchtime Cruises, Evening Fish & Chip Supper Cruises and our highly acclaimed jazz cruises. Following the success last year of the three Motown/Soul Cruises, we are running six this year, in addition we are trialling Folk on the Boat cruises. These are being organised by Mill Race Folk who run the folk club at Bromham Mill. Details of all our cruises are now on the website, and you can book directly via the website. Our charter hire cruises bookings are flowing in quite nicely. So, if you want to hire the boat for a party, anniversary cruise or whatever, don t leave it too long or the date you want may already have been booked! Enquires direct to: charters@johnbunyanboat.org Again, prices and details are available on the website. The John Bunyan enters a lock on the way to be re-painted B&MK WATERWAY NEWS is published by the Bedford and Milton Keynes Waterway Trust, a non profit-making company limited by guarantee (No ). Registered office: 30 St John Street Newport Pagnell, MK16 8HJ and a Registered Charity (No ). Contact us at enquiries@b-mkwaterway.co.uk or Tel (Answer Machine) 8