Canals

Parts of two canals can be found within West Wiltshire, the Kennet and Avon Canal, a restored waterway under the management of British Waterways, and the Wilts and Berks Canal which was abandoned in 1914 and has recently begun to be restored by the Wilts and Berks Canal Amenity Group. The canals have enormous potential both as features in the landscape and for their historical, architectural, nature conservation, recreational and educational value. The District Council is promoting the use of the canals and has approved a general policy statement on canals in the District to ensure that the amenities required are developed in a way which protects the canal environment and the associated countryside (See Appendix F).

The Kennet and Avon Canal has been restored to full navigation and was officially reopened in August 1990. The reopening of the canal has undoubtedly increased the amount of waterborne traffic and general interest in the canal itself. Due to long-term leakage and embankment stability problems, the Kennet and Avon Canal Partnership was formed in 1994 to safeguard the future of the canal. It submitted a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), which resulted in an award of £25 million in 1997. As a condition of the Lottery Grant, a Conservation Plan had to be prepared to guide the programme of works.  The Plan aims to conserve the canal’s heritage, nature conservation value, and environs, whilst balancing this in as sustainable way as possible against the needs of its users.

Two marinas have been established on the Kennet and Avon Canal, one at Widbrook Farm, Bradford on Avon, the other at Hilperton. Both were in areas identified as requiring additional off-line mooring facilities in British Waterway’s original Leisure Strategy. The Structure Plan advocates better use being made of the canal for water based recreation. The Canal Partnership’s Conservation Plan recognises that the economic vitality of the canal is important in ensuring its future. However, visitors are attracted to the canal by its special character, and so proposals for recreation and tourist development need to be rigorously assessed in terms of their environmental impact. In any proposals for development, particular regard will be paid to their location. Developments in the Western Wiltshire Green Belt and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty will be critically assessed in the light of other relevant plan policy considerations.

As the canal enters Bradford on Avon it changes to a more urban character which contrasts well with the rural nature of much of its route. The canal passes along the edge of Gripwood as it runs to the south of the country park. The trees make an impressive backdrop and the tree planting identified for the area is intended to assist with the wood’s management, to maintain mature tree cover and to complement tree planting carried out in other areas along the canal.

The stretch of canal between Bradford on Avon wharf and the marina would benefit from further improvement including pedestrian access from the proposed car park at the Clay pit housing site.

The Wilts & Berks Canal originally ran from the Kennet and Avon Canal at Semington north through Melksham and on towards Lacock. Despite being abandoned in the early 20th century its alignment is still visible in many places. The Wilts and Berks Canal Amenity Group was established in 1977 [now the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust] and has since started work to restore various sections of the canal and proposes to restore it to full navigation. Reintroduction of the canal has great potential to bring benefits in terms of recreation, tourism, employment generation and nature conservation.