The Wilts and Berks Canal Partnership

News from the Wilts & Berks Canal 

May  2010

The Melksham Link 

The plan for the Melksham Link is to build a new canal from the Kennet & Avon Canal at Semington to the River Avon at Melksham. A scheme was proposed in 2007 by consultants Black & Veatch  and details of their report can be seen on the reports and studies page of this web site.

Following the Partnership decision in June 2009 to proceed with this project, a task group has considered the Black & Veatch route , and is proposing a modified scheme that will give more to the Berryfield community as well as creating further business and development opportunities. 

The proposals shown are for illustrative purposes and are subject to planning and landowner consent 

© All maps are Crown Copyright and reproduced with permission from HM Ordnance Survey  

Below  is the outline proposal for the canal  route from the Kennet and Avon Canal to the River Avon

The drawings on this page  are low definition -  higher resolution drawings are available to download 

- please note this may take some time - you will need a pdf reader to view the documents

The map below is the remainder of the proposal to take navigation to  Town Bridge

Shown below are  the  detailed drawings  of the proposed canal  route from the River Avon to the Kennet & Avon Canal

 Detail at Berryfield

Consultation

In May  and June   2010  the Community Area Partnership will be undertaking a full public consultation: 

Consultation on the proposed Melksham Link will be held throughout May and is intended to inform and consult with as many people as possible living in the new Melksham Community Area to determine the degree of support for the project, answer questions, consider suggestions and address issues raised.

The consultation is being carried out by the Melksham Area Waterways Group, which is a theme group within the Melksham Community Area Partnership, and will comprise displays, open days and presentations.  We will also be carrying out a questionnaire-type survey via our new website (http://melksham.communityarea.org.uk) but making sure that those without access to a computer will be able to take part via a printed version which will me made available throughout the Community Area.  Sites already chosen for displays include Melksham Town Hall, Melksham Library, Exotic Pets in Church Street (courtesy Chris Stevens), Waney Edge Cafe and Berryfield Village Hall.  Talks by James Young, South West Waterways Business Development Manager for British Waterways and Dr Mike Rodd, General Manager of the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust are being arranged and open days will also be held to enable people to discuss and comment on the proposal and wherever possible, to meet Ken Oliver, Wiltshire Council's Canal Officer or other members of the project team..

There are strong indications that the Melksham Link and its eventual connection via the river to the restored Wilts & Berks Canal north of the town, has support from many areas of the community including Wiltshire Council, Melksham Town Council, Melksham Without Parish Council and Melksham Trust.  However, this support is subject to all the technical, environmental, financial and land ownership issues being resolved and the group recognises the importance of everyone interested having an opportunity to express their views, contribute ideas and ask questions.  The results of the consultation will be presented at a public meeting being planned for June and of course the planning process provides the ultimate opportunity for involvement by those with strong feelings.

The display in Melksham Town Hall will run from Monday 3rd May and exact details of other venues, dates and times will be published once they are confirmed.

You may also  email your comments to canals@wiltshire.gov.uk