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.
Recently a new start-up firm in Sleaford called Polar Foil Products has approached the Trust to talk about an exciting new product that is in the development stage. For a number of months they have been developing a type of water-ski that works at low speeds, it is unusual in that it combines some old technologies in a way that has not been previously considered. A combination of laminar flow and the boundary layer effect have been used to design an aquatic aerofoil similar to that used on ultra-light aircraft. A network of small tubes underneath the ski then make use of the Bernoulli Effect to produce extra slow speed lift.
Having seen the Trust’s new boat, Benjamin Handley, Polar Foil Products approached the Trust to see if it would be possible to use the boat for some trials. After some discussion with the Trust, it was agreed that the trails would take place next Tuesday morning, April 1st. If the trials are successful then it might be possible for the public to ‘have a go’. However, this could only take place until 12.00 when all activity will have to cease.
Work on the fit out of the boat is going well with quite a lot of the wood lining the walls and ceiling in place. Unfortunately, some of the issues relating to the clearance of excess silt from the river are proving to be more complex and problematic than anticipated. It now looks as if this may well have an impact on the timing of the planned works and, consequently, on the date at which the boat can start operating.
Sleaford Navigation Trust is working to address the areas of concern in order to move the project forward as soon as possible. In the meantime, volunteers, supporters and would-be passengers should be aware that the proposed starting date for operation of Easter 2025 is now no longer certain.
There have been some tricky cutting jobs recently that have taken a while to sort out. Obviously you have to be very careful doing this or you can waste a sheet of plywood and at pushing £50 it does clarify the mind. The old adage measure twice and cut once didn’t apply, it’s more like measure multiple times and cut once! We now have to cut the hole for the doorway before fixing it in place.
Today we moved the Handley Cup from NKDC’s offices to its new temporary home in the Sleaford Museum. Many thanks to NKDC and Mark Bamford and Jacqui Cleaver at Sleaford Museum.
More progress on the trip boat last week, starting to get the lining on with new volunteer Jerry and Steve Hayes. It took a bit of working out to decide on the best way to cut the wood but we got there eventually.
