Executive Committee Summary - April 2021

Since the tragic accident at Pewsham, now several years ago but fresh in our minds, and with the HSE enquiry still ongoing, WBCT’s existing Health & Safety procedures were felt to need a comprehensive review and evaluation by an independent expert. The portion of this task that sits within WBCT is being done by our energetic Chief Engineer, Jonathan Coates.
  
As we are about the only Trust that doesn't own much of the land across which the canal line runs, our Lands Team keeps a constant eye on land issues and is in touch with the many landowners along our route. The eventual aim is the purchase of, or at least obtaining long leases on, all the land we need for a fully restored canal.

Pre-implementation work on the Melksham Link continues; we are now hopeful of seeing a Conditional Planning Consent soon. This consent will have been almost nine years in the making. It has involved many inputs from a wide variety of local and national interests and stakeholders.

Proposals to create revenue earning moorings at Jubilee Junction, at the far eastern end where the canal meets the Thames, are being worked up.

With the grant of £42,000 for the M4 crossing studies approved within Highways England, but still not contractually committed, the Trust is waiting patiently for the starting pistol to begin work.

The key theme for this business year, which started on 1st April, is Back to Business. This means much increased emphasis on restoration projects. To prepare for the large increase in workload that will result a list has been created of posts that need filling - some 34 in all.  Keep an eye open! And tell your friends!.