Marple Aqueduct, on the Peak Forest Canal, is undergoing over half a million pounds worth of repair, conservation and access improvement work as part of the Heritage Lottery funded Revealing Oldknow’s Legacy project.
The anticipated increase in visitor numbers following the improvements has led to a safety review of the Aqueduct that concluded additional measures are required to reduce risk to visitors including a parapet fence on the off-side of the structure, opposite the towpath side.
Boaters can disembark onto the unprotected ‘off-side’, while some people have also told us that they have jumped across the canal cut as a dare.
The safety fence will be to be part of wider gateway improvements including vegetation clearance to reveal the sweep of the Aqueduct, gateway markers, suitable safety signage and improved green space at the entry points to the Aqueduct, creating a sense of arrival at the Grade 1 Listed structure and Scheduled Ancient Monument.
CRT has a number of examples of safety fencing and railing used in other locations on their network and visuals illustrating one fencing option.
You can also take a look at the approach to Marple Aqueduct
CRT would like to gather feedback on the safety fencing options and the plans for wider gateway improvements. Comments can be made by email aqueduct.fence@canalrivertrust.org.uk
The consultation period will be open until January 31st 2015.
Following the outcome of this consultation the Canal & River Trust will seek Listed Building consent and Scheduled Ancient Monument consent to carry out the preferred options. Statutory consultation will be conducted at this stage.
Further information about the Revealing Oldknow’s Legacy project is available at www.canalrivertrust.org/Oldknow
