David Penny (Hereford & Glos Canal Trust)

David’s presentation was a real eye opener for me. When I thought about canal restoration, my image was that of a lot of Eammon’s navies with JCGs gouging out tracts of countryside and dumping soil surreptitiously somewhere. David would them invite the Duchess of Kent to turn the tap on and, lo and behold, we could get to Hereford by canal barge, albeit in about five days, allowing for refreshment stops for those so inclined.

But oh no! Canal restoration seems to be more of a business involving planning organisations from all over the shop. I must admit I did not fully grasp whether this was a requirement as part of any agreement to re-open the waterway but, whatever, we had slides of housing developments, as part of the work, as well straightforward canal work. Issues such as affordable housing were a consideration which David explained they had managed to get exemption from in certain circumstances.

So the canal is around 34 miles long with ~10% having been restored or was in the process of. A further 10% was under negotiation so there is still a way to go. David indicated the value of the project as £30m per year with 600 jobs resulting. Most of these, he pointed out, would be to the local community. I assume he meant canal side hostelries and bar maids/men and the like.

Re-building was done at a fraction of cost price thanks to donations/sponsorship (Keyway seemed to be mentioned a lot but I lost interest at that point). Recycled stone from demolished buildings played a major part. 

David touched on future projects such as the re-build of Newent railway station around the canal and the development of a tidal barrage at LLanthony to supply local leci and aid flood defence. Not quite canal restoration but hey ho. 

The presentation was detailed and I there was a lot to grasp. However, I was amazed, overall, at the sheer complexity of a project which to me, at the outset, seemed simple. A very interesting and enlightening evening.

Jeff Dawson