A quintessentially rural canal, running for 33 miles from Nottingham to Grantham via the Vale of Belvoir

Last update 23rd Jan 2010

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Mann's Bridge Latest

MANN’S BRIDGE PUBLICITY PHOTOSHOOT SATURDAY 23 JAN 2010

The sun was shining on the Grantham Canal for the publicity photoshoot at Mann's Bridge. A large number of supporters turned out to express their concerns about the impact of the A46 widening scheme on Mann's Bridge and its environs.

The GCS working boat, "Restorer II" was there to symbolise the limit of navigation if the road scheme goes ahead with complete disregard to the dire situation at Mann's Bridge. It defies all logic - why go to all the trouble of constructing a brand new, navigable bridge at the A46, only to block future navigation forever, a few hundred yards downstream?

The cost of including Mann's bridge in the A46 road widening scheme now would be insignificant in terms of the size of the overall project. But if it is not done now, the future cost of a new bridge and re profiling the road approaches, will be immense and would probably never happen because of the cost and disruption involved.

Thank you to everyone who attended the photoshoot. Let's hope the "powers that be" listen to reason and do the right thing for the future of the Grantham Canal and all those that will derive enjoyment from it for generations to come.

The Battle for Joshua Mann's Bridge

You will all be aware of the huge amount of work that is proceeding at a great pace on the new A46 and will know of the close proximity to the Grantham Canal at Stragglethorpe crossroads and the Cropwell locks, adjacent to the A46.

The new high level road will have a new bridge over the dry section by Cropwell Locks, facilitating future navigable use.

However, some 900 metres from the new bridge towards Cotgrave, the Highways Agency have made a catastrophic omission in their design and planning, by NOT providing for the raising of Joshua Manns bridge, number 16, and associated road works.

The only way that the contractors can change the design of the road at Joshua Manns Bridge is for the Secretary of State for Transport to instruct them directly.

Please read this open letter from our Vice Chairman and write to the Secretary of State, and tell your friends and anyone who might help to persuade The Minister to make the correct decision.

Read Andrew Denny's blog here

New Monthly Electronic Newsletter

The Society is publishing a monthly newsletter to be made available via email subscription. You can read the first issue here. If you like what you see, you can subscribe to future issues (subscription details are in the first issue) and will receive them, via email, immediately on publication. Future newsletters will not appear on the website until one month after date of publication - so subscribe today!

Trip-boat Appeal

What a fantastic performance! We are now only £65 short of our target of £2,700. Please, please join many others and help us achieve or target before the end of 2009. You really can make a difference. Thank you to all of you who have given so generously. Details here

River Trent to Cotgrave Green Infrastructure Study

WHY NOT BECOME AN ACTIVE VOLUNTEER??
We think the Grantham Canal corridor is an excellent resource for people of all ages and from all walks of life – if you agree why not consider helping out with its regeneration – it needn’t be a full-time commitment – you can involve yourself to whatever degree you like!

What’s your interest?
Towpath Walking
Slipway and Boating
Environmental & Restoration
Publicity and Marketing
Administration

If you’ve any expertise – or even just lots of enthusiasm – you can help regenerate the Grantham Canal

So ………. why not join the Team of your choice?
We have teams that need more members so why not call the Team Leaders:-
Towpath Walkers – Peter Lees 01949 843853
Slipway & Boating – Mike Oliver 07713 265072
Environmental – Leigh Hood 01400 281648
Publicity – Mike Stone 0115 931 4508
Administration - Mike Stone 0115 931 4508

Don’t delay – Phone today!
Help us to maintain and develop the Grantham Canal on behalf of everyone.

The Grantham Canal Society

The Grantham Canal was opened in 1797 and for well over a century was one of the principal waterways of the Midlands, offering a reliable and cost-effective alternative to the toll-roads for the transport of goods and materials between Grantham and Nottingham.

In the mid-nineteenth century, the growth of the railways led to an inevitable decline in the use of water-borne transport but the Grantham Canal fared better than most, and it was not until the age of the petrol engine that closure finally came in the 1930s.

A lengthy period of neglect and decay ensued. Brickwork crumbled, leaks appeared, sections of the canal dried out and nature reclaimed the land. Within 30 years, the Grantham Canal had fallen into a state of grievous disrepair, its purpose and presence largely forgotten.

The Grantham Canal Restoration Society was formed in 1969 by a small group of local people who recognised that we were in danger of losing a precious piece of industrial and architectural heritage, a rich habitat for the flora and fauna of the Vale of Belvoir and a potential source of enjoyment for current and future generations.

Since that time, an immense amount has been achieved; locks have been repaired and brought back into use; bridges have been rebuilt; the towpath has been resurfaced and stretches of the canal have been dredged. Groups of volunteers have tackled the encroaching vegetation, felling overhanging trees, cutting back overgrown banks and clearing out excessive weed growth to enable the water to flow again. And at all times, care has been taken to preserve and encourage the habitats of flowers and wildlife.

Today, The Grantham Canal Society has taken up the challenge. Its purpose is to continue the restoration of the canal, thereby creating a 33-mile leisure corridor running through the glorious Vale of Belvoir: a linear park to be used and enjoyed by walkers, anglers, cyclists, bird lovers - by anyone and everyone who takes pleasure in our natural environment. Eventually, the aim is to restore the canal to its former glory as a fully navigable waterway, not for commercial use but for trail boats and narrow boats to add their own colour and vitality to the rural setting.

Would you like to help?

The Society is run entirely by volunteers, supported by British Waterways and other organisations dedicated to the restoration and preservation of canals throughout the country. If you would like to get involved, for as little or as much time as you have available, go to our Volunteering page and find out more.