Lucy Wood reports:
Representatives of the Fund Britain’s Waterways coalition met officials to discuss the Middle Level navigation and welcomed news of plans to further improve facilities for boaters.
THE Middle Level is part of the East Anglian Fens, between the North and South Levels, and the Bedford Level, which is managed by the Middle Level Commissioners. Members of FBW held a question-and-answer session with the corporation’s chief executive, Paul Burrows, about assorted topics including strategy, fees and customer facilities following the introduction of boat licensing on the Middle Level in 2020.
During the meeting, they particularly welcomed the extension of navigation further along Monks Lode – at a time when other navigation authorities are struggling to keep waterways open. Members also heard of the improvements already made by the MLC, including new moorings on Ramsey High Lode, refurbished lock moorings, the installation of nine new rural moorings with footpath access and the replacement of the Marmont Priory lock gates. The Salters Lode lock has been de-silted, and there has been a focus on abandoned boats. More facilities are planned on the navigation, including a welfare unit for relief lock keepers at Stanground, a water point at Salters Lode, and Elsan and rubbish points.
In a round-up of the meeting, FBW said that climate change was recognised as a major challenge for MLC, particularly given that key infrastructure is reaching end of life and there are important choices ahead. The coalition said there are real concerns that the level of investment required will be beyond the reach of local ratepayers and users of their waterways.
FBW chairman Les Etheridge said: “I must congratulate Paul Burrows on the energy and commitment he brings to his role. The Middle Level being below sea level makes it particularly vulnerable to flooding and adds to the challenges. I wish Paul and the MLC well with their ideas and plans to increase the level of public benefit and economic growth, including from the opportunities that the planned Fens Reservoir would provide.”
Anglian Water and Cambridge Water are proposing a new reservoir, near Chatteris, to help meet the growing demands on water supply in the East of England, the latest round of consultation for which closed in August. For more information, visit https://fensreservoir.co.uk
Mr Burrows said: “I’d like to thank the Fund Britain’s Waterways coalition for hosting me and for the support. We have a unique navigable system on the Middle Level and while the investment challenges ahead are there, I am keen that we work with the boating community to continue to develop and deliver bite-sized and sustainable improvements that I recognise are needed.”
FBW is a coalition of organisations representing thousands of users and supporters of inland waterways. Established in June 2023, it already has more than 140 members. Its plans for 2025 include similar discussions with other inland navigation authorities and a campaign cruise to highlight the impact of insufficient funding for Britain’s 5000 miles of inland waterways.
Boaters attending IWA Canalway Cavalcade will be joining a Campaign Cruise past the Houses of Parliament on May 7 to coincide with a reception for MPs and Lords in a room overlooking the River Thames. Parliamentarians will be invited to attend and express their support for the continued maintenance of the waterways to enable them to keep on delivering economic, health, environmental and well-being benefits. Find out more about FBW at https://tinyurl.com/FBWcoalition
To read a full report of the question-and-answer session with Mr Burrows, see https://tinyurl.com/MLCQAThe MLC has managed water levels and drainage in the Fens since 1862. For more information, visit https://middlelevel.gov.uk
