This week I will be attending the latest Melksham Link Project meeting. The questions everyone is asking is how are the studies going and when will we get the Planning Permission? We have done all the required ecological studies, namely water voles and otters, fish, badgers, reptiles, great crested newts, breeding birds and bats. The environmental consultants are working on the landscape requirements and on the Water Framework Directive. We still hope for the planning consent by the end of the year. Meanwhile we work on the plans to make Melksham a great place to live and work and a destination for visitors.
Elsewhere, tenders have been received for the landing stage at Wichelstowe and planning permission expected soon. I am now able to raise some funds to build it. It is an important project as it will mean that we can run boat trips on Dragonfly from the new Waitrose store, combining shopping with a pleasant cruise. The path down from the car park and the landing stage will be wheelchair friendly giving access to all. Swindon branch are also trying to raise funds to repair the towpath edge at West Lease – this will be a water vole friendly soft edge, not piling.
Melksham, Calne and Chippenham (MCC) branch hope soon to launch their renovated work boat Boswell and butty into the canal at Pewsham. Actually it will be into the mud as that stretch cannot be re-watered until the breach is repaired. Many thanks to Hills via Community First for providing the funds for the boat and for being so patient with all our delays.
The Grand Draw in aid of a second trip boat finishes at the AGM where the winning tickets will be drawn. So far receipts are just over £4500 and I am hoping it will finish higher. Some people have included a donation in with their ticket monies and I am very grateful to them for that. Speaking of the AGM, I hope we have a good turnout of members. It is your chance to see what is happening at Grove and Wantage, to meet your Directors and fellow members and buy your 2015 Calendar!
Kath Hatton
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