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Lincolnshire Waterways Partnership

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The Water Rail Way is just one of many projects (aimed at regenerating Lincolnshire's river and canal corridors) either underway or proposed by the Lincolnshire Waterways Partnership (LWP). The LWP consists of British Waterways, Lincolnshire County Council and the Environment Agency.

The LWP takes a holistic view of waterways, seeking to develop them as a tourist resource, whilst retaining the many features of natural and historic importance. It seeks to provide new facilities for local communities and to support the development of new businesses in the county.

It is proposed to construct a new canal link, linking Lincolnshire to the River Nene at Peterborough and the much wider national waterway network. This will open up the county to greater use by visiting boats and create a major new cruising ring. By developing the waterways of Lincolnshire and building on their distinct character it is hoped to give Lincolnshire an edge in a growing tourism market, particularly for short breaks and waterway related tourism.

LWP newsletters can be viewed on the Visit Lincolnshire website: www.visitlincolnshire.com

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Thank you to all those who submitted ideas for naming the Lincoln to Boston path - some of you are extraordinarily inventive!

The winner is Roger Ingamells of Lincoln with Water Rail Way - inspired by both the railway connection and spotting this secretive bird whilst cycling the Washingborough section. Well done, Roger.

According to www.rspb.org.uk, the Water Rail is more often heard than seen. Smaller and slimmer than the moorhen it is most abundant in Eastern England, breeding on freshwater wetlands especially where there is extensive growth of reeds and sedges. Chestnut brown and black upperparts, grey face and underparts and black and white barred flanks and long red bill. Call is a pig like squealing and a sharp 'kek ... kek ...kek'.

Honourable mention should go to Rachael Houseago, who came up with the one that made me laugh the most. She took the L from Lincoln, and the oston from Boston and came up with Loston Route - sadly we decided you'd have to be a pretty poor navigator to get 'Lost on Route' on such a linear path - but noce try Rachael!

Mary Powell

Lincolnshire County Council

On a beautiful crisp and sunny November day I walked the latest section of path between Five Mile Bridge and Bardney Lock. My companions were Lorraine our Business Support Officer and Nicola Jones from Sustrans and we were looking to see where the new benches, interpretation panels and signs will go.

I was enormously impressed with the quality of the path construction, so all credit to C.F Construction of Collingham. The path is lovely and wide, there are good river views from the many open sections and then there are more enclosed wooded sections. There are some terrific views back to Lincoln of the cathedral in the distance floating above the landscape. I can confirm the article in the November Newsletter that these waterside paths make wonderful wildlife corridors. For anyone interested in bird watching the constant to-ing and fro-ing ahead as you walk along is a delight.

At Bardney Lock we pressed our noses to the steel bars blocking off the viaduct, which is in something of a state, whilst Nicola explained what was to be done in the next few months to repair it.

I frequently feel tied to my desk on the endless funding treadmill so its great to get out and see the finished results and realise that yes, wow - this is really what it's all about.

Whilst on the path I met with several readers of this newsletter out on their bikes - so its good to meet you and know that you too are enjoying this new access.

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Contractors are due to finish the section to Bardney May 19 and we plan to have a formal opening on 25 May.

Early March saw two cows - Lincoln Red cattle of course - being lowered into position on the edge of Water Rail Way. Produced by artist Sally Matthews these are sure to prove popular with passers by.

Mary Powell

Lincolnshire County Council

In a July week, full of thunderstorms, we chose a heatwave day to hold the launch of the path Water Rail Way reaching Bardney.

At least 200 people precessed, on foot and by bike together with a jazz band, from the ribbon cutting at Bardney to Bardney Lock. On the viaduct itself there was a marquee providing much needed shade and a hog roast providing sustenance for those who had made the 20-minute walk/cycle.

I missed the ribbon cutting at Bardney as I was stationed on the viaduct, but it was quite a sight, shortly after 2pm, to see a posse of small boys on bikes peddling furiously towards me, all desperate to be the first to arrive. Following behind them was a seemingly endless crocodile of people walking along to the strains of New Orleans jazz. It was great to see so many people from Bardney there, as well as many others from Fiskerton, Washingbrough and Lincoln, together with a contingent of boaters who came to have a look and try out the new visitor moorings at Bardney Lock.

Many thanks to al those who attended, with particular thanks to A.W. Garrills of Bardney for the delicious hog roast - its good to stop a while and celebrate these milestones reached. Read Nicola Jones from Sustrans piece below on the next stage to Southrey.

Mary Powell

Lincolnshire County Council

Following the amazing opening at Bardney in July, we're now pushing on with the next phase of path construction near Southrey.

This 2.7km length is very different, as it's mostly well away from the river and lies between wide mature woodland areas that have grown up on both sides of the former railway corridor. This gives a lovely contrast to the more open path between Lincoln and Bardney and encourages some very different wildlife: butterflies are much more prevalent and there is more obvious evidence of mammals.

This different environment has dictated the time and way the path is being constructed. As always, an initial Environmental Impact Assessment ensures that we know what is present and what, if any, "mitigation" we should take into account when planning the path. In the present case, we're working under an English Nature "badger disturbance" license, which dictates not only what work can be done but also when it can be carried out. Path construction started back in August and is on schedule for completion by the end of the year. I'm pleased to report that the badgers are completely unphased by our presence and have taken great delight in leaving their excavations over the partially-built path!

Nicola Jones
Sustrans

Southrey to Kirkstead Bridge

The construction of the next phase of the path from Southrey started in early January and is going well, helped by the (mainly) good weather. As this is quite a long section of over 6 kms, we expect to take until the summer to complete the path.

Earlier ecological surveys found great crested newts close to the path, in an area of old borrow pits just south of Stixwould, so we have applied to Natural England for a licence to carry out the path construction in this area. Once the licence is granted, the works have to be undertaken in a certain way and at specified times, under the strict supervision of a trained herpetologist. If you see carpet tiles lying on the grassed areas, this is all part of moving and protecting any great crested newts actually on the line of the path. More details in the next newsletter.

Nicola Jones
Sustrans

There will be a celebration of the path reaching Southrey on the afternoon of 12 April. Join us for light refreshments at the Riverside Inn at Southrey and as we will still be in the school holidays an Easter Egg hunt for the children seems appropriate.

Mary Powell
Lincolnshire County Council

Progress at Southrey and Kirkstead Bridge

The Water Rail Way continues to attract many walkers and cyclists, as the earlier sections of path mature and become better known.

Over 200 people enjoyed a relaxed afternoon at Southrey in early April, to celebrate the opening of the path from Bardney. Pond dipping, birds of prey, the "longest" quiz and, of course, refreshments, all contributed to a very pleasant time exploring the new path.

As many of you have already seen, we're now constructing the section of path from Southrey past old Stixwould station to Kirkstead Bridge. We've had a few challenges on this stretch and, as mentioned in the last newsletter, have had to alter the way we build the path to take account of protected wildlife species. This has meant the path construction has taken a little longer but shows the value of such "green" corridors to path users and wildlife alike! Our neighbours have been very patient, for which we're extremely grateful. I'm sure they'll be delighted to know that we've nearly finished the "lorry" stage of the works and expect to complete the route to Witham Road at Kirkstead Bridge by August - over 15 miles from Lincoln!

The traffic-free section of the Water Rail Way ends at Kirkstead Bridge, with the cycle route towards Boston following the lane from Martin Dales on the west bank of the Witham. It's only a short hop from Witham Road to the centre of Woodhall Spa though, with its tea shops, pubs and loads of other facilities.

We've had a few enquiries from horseriders and, as the photograph of the Southrey opening shows, all well behaved users are welcome! We don't encourage horses west of Washingborough, as the path leads straight to Lincoln City centre but elsewhere al the way to Kirkstead Bridge, there's plenty of room for everyone.

Nicola Jones

Sustrans

Water Rail Way

A good crowd joined us in August at Stixwould, to celebrate the opening of the latest stretch of new path between Southrey and Kirkstead Bridge. The sun didn't make it this time but this didn't stop folk guessing how many faults the old bike had, or trying to identify the different wrigglies that had been scooped from the river and from the local Engine Drain. The hog roast went down well and adventurers enjoyed the cycle obstacle course and having a go on the different types of bike available.

We're very grateful for the additional funding that EMDA has provided for the route south of Bardney. It is this funding, in addition to the LWP monies that has enabled us to achieve such a smooth easy-access surface, which is proving so popular.

Since the Stixwould opening, an automatic cycle counter has been installed near Kirkstead Bridge, to give an indication of the number of cyclists using the path. Data from this and other counters at Lincoln, Washingborough and Bardney are collected and analysed by Linco9lnshire County Council and are also fed into the national database managed by Sustrans. This data is supplemented by Route User (*face to face) Surveys, when more detailed information about the path use is requested. You may have been asked to take part in the survey at Kirkstead Bridge recently.

Over the next few months, there will be lots of things going on behind the scenes and not so many ovious changes on the ground. This is because the final planning application has been submitted to East Lindsey District Council, to complete the traffic-free section of the Water Rail Way between langrick and Anton's Gowt. We hope to have approval for this in mid-December, so that construction can start on the last phase in spring 2008.

Many of you will have noticed the two new HI-Views structures on the Water Rail Way at the beginning of the path in Lincoln and near Anton's Gowt. Designed by Belgian architect, Paul Robbrecht, the two contemporary viewing platforms, the 'Lincoln Stump' and 'the Boston Pendulum', offer walkers and cyclists unique, expansive views of the Lincolnshire landscape between Boston and Lincoln. The wooden balustrades are painted in colours inspired by the local bird life and include the bright red of the beak of the Water Rail. the project has been supported by the Arts Council England East Midlands, Lincolnshire Public Art Network (LPAN) and local authorities.

At the other end of the scale, a series of footprints near Southrey now show some of the animals and birds seen in the area whilst the path was constructed here. the prints are twice real size (yes, a pheasant really has enormous feet!) and accurately reflect the tracks made by each animal or bird.

Nicola Jones

Sustrans

Sally Mathew's Lincoln Long Wool Sheep are due for installation at Stixwould in early November. Slightly behind schedule due to their dread locks proving quite tricky! Fans of Sally's Lincoln Red Cows will surely want to go out and have a look. (Photo in gallery above)

Mary Powell

We are delighted that planning approval has been given for the last section of the Water Rail Way at Langrick. Overhanging branches have been cut back in preparation for the path construction of this final phase later this spring; the slight delay is to take account of ecological considerations on part of the former railway land. We expect the path to be open in early autumn - more details next time.

Many of you will have come across the four Lincolnshire Longwool sheep near Stixwould, which were installed last November. These wonderful "animals" have been created from scrap metal by Sally Mathews, who also made the Lincoln Read cattle that have proved so popular near Washingborough. Real, live versions of both the cattle and the sheep can be seen quite close to the Water Rail Way.

Work is progressing well with other artworks planned for the path. Planning approval has been granted for the "Pike" and the "Curly Coat Pigs" sculptures, both to be carved by Nigel Sardeson. Nigel has already started the pike and you can watch him at work at Bardney viaduct most Fridays. We have applied for planning permission for two further pices for the Tennyson-themed series of artworks, the "River Pillar" (also by Nigel) and the "Lady of Shalott", a beautifully arched sculpture designed and created by Fran and Tim Mackereth of Alnwick Forge near Sleaford.

Nicola Jones

Sustrans

For more cycling routes around Woodhall Spa please visit the Local Cycle Rides page, or visit the River Witham page

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