New move in Fens cathedrals link-up

The Inland Waterways Association (IWA) has announced the contribution of £2,000 towards a plan to construct The Fens Waterways Link.

The Link will connect Boston, Lincolnshire with the Great Ouse in Cambridgeshire. It would enable most inland waterway boats to travel between the northern waterways, via the Trent, Fossdyke and Witham navigations, and the Nene, which in turn connects with the Great Ouse and the Middle Level.

Once the Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway is complete, broad craft will be able to reach the Grand Union Canal and other southern waterways. This new circuit would encompass the cathedral cities of Lincoln, Peterborough and Ely. It will create 87km of extra navigable waterways in the low-lying Fens and make a further 160km more accessible to increased numbers of people.

The Environment Agency, supported by local councils, development agencies, East Anglian Waterways Association, and IWA - collectively the Fens Waterways Regeneration Strategy Group - has previously commissioned two pre-feasibility studies, which identified the preferred ring to link the cities.

These studies identified major engineering issues along the route at Padholme and Peakirk Pumping Stations, Fulney Lock, Guthram Gowt, Hermitage Lock, Salter's Lode, Fenton Lode and Denver Sluice. Other important considerations are the restoration of the South Forty Foot Drain, and the conservation of the Great Ouse and Nene Washes, both recognised by the European Union as sites of environmental significance.

Derek Bradley, IWA's Eastern Region Chairman, said " IWA recognises the tremendous contribution which restoration of the Fens waterways will bring to the area and, as one of the partners involved, The Association is particularly pleased to make a contribution towards the first major project in this stage of the restoration".

The initial phase of the Implementation Plan is due to be completed by the end of 2003 and work to improve recreational and tourist facilities should then begin. Construction of the entire link could take as long as 20 years.