At the Trust we are very aware that there have not been updates recently on progress with the Trip Boat Project. We are sorry about this, particularly as so many people have expressed their support for the idea while others have asked about volunteering opportunities linked to it.
In preparation for the boat being able to travel on the river from The Hub to Cogglesford Watermill, we had discussed with the Environment Agency the permits needed for the removal of excess silt in the channel. Once the boat was able to move freely in the water we knew that its passage to and fro would help prevent a build-up of silt recurring. Before carrying passengers, we planned to train potential crew on the river so that they could become accredited skippers, a necessary requirement for operation of the boat. Contractors removed excess reeds in order to facilitate boat movement. At no point did we have any indication from local Environment Agency staff, with whom we have worked successfully for many years, that there would be any problem in getting the necessary permits. Some reservation was expressed, however, about the timing of work so that it did not coincide with fish spawning.
Unfortunately, when we, as riparian owners of this stretch of waterway, applied for permission, under an exemption, to remove excess silt, it was refused. Applications now have to be made nationally rather than locally and we were informed that the location of the proposed work was near “an environmentally sensitive area” which meant it could not go ahead. On enquiry, we were told this area was Lollycocks Field.
This refusal means that we have to apply for a bespoke permit, a far more complex and lengthy process. We are now in the process of doing this and checking what additional studies and mitigation will be required. Sadly, this means that we are not able to give any indication as to when we will be able to undertake the clearance and thus be able to move the boat.
In the meantime, we are working on compliance with the planning conditions required for building the landing stage at Cogglesford. In addition, two of our volunteers have undertaken training as skippers and have received accreditation. This was thanks to our friends in the Chesterfield Canal Trust who allowed them to use their trip boat in Chesterfield to achieve this.