British Waterways Press Update
27 January 2009
The latest round up of stories for the waterways press.
Waterways Press Update - January 2009
CONTENTS
1. Towpath Tidy
2. BW appointed to CABE enabling panel
3. Liverpool waterfront celebrations
4. The Falkirk Wheel
1. Towpath Tidy
The dates for British Waterways’ annual volunteer clean up of the waterways has been set. Taking place between Thursday 26 and Sunday 29 March, this year’s event will be supported by the Campaign to Protect Rural England, Encams, the Inland Waterways Association and a number of canal societies and trusts.
BW will shortly be publishing details of specific events and locations for Towpath Tidy alongside an appeal for boaters, walkers, cyclists and others waterway visitors to take part. Details of regional Towpath Tidy event organisers are available online at www.waterscape.com/volunteer.
2. BW appointed to CABE enabling panel
BW has been appointed to the enabling panel of the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE). CABE is the government’s advisor on architecture, urban design and public space and its work includes improving design aspirations and ensuring that development is sustainable and inclusive of the waterways.
Marcus Chaloner, British Waterways design manager, said: “The panel welcomed BW to its enabling panel for demonstrating unique skills in the field of waterside design and planning by showing that waterways can remain relevant to society in a way that is considerate to their heritage. BW staff will sit on a panel of experts helping to ensure that development is sympathetic to the historic waterway environment.”
For more information on CABE, visit www.cabe.org.uk.
3. Liverpool waterfront celebrations
The new Liverpool Canal Link played a starring role in the closing events for Liverpool’s 2008 City of Culture celebrations on Saturday 10 January. Tens of thousands of people gathered at the waterfront to take part in the transition event which featured dozens of lanterns illuminating the new canal at Pier Head.
Debbie Lumb, general manager at British Waterways, said: “We were thrilled to see the new canal link feature at the heart of the closing ceremony of the Capital of Culture year. With the opening of the canal link in Spring 2009 the waterfront will be animated with boaters from all over the country visiting Liverpool to see for themselves the transformation of the waterfront and the city.”
4. The Falkirk Wheel
Since the Falkirk Wheel opened in 2002, the world’s first and only rotating boat lift has become a celebrated Scottish icon, welcoming over 2.3 million visitors to date. Building upon the success, British Waterways Scotland is currently exploring ways to further maximise the Falkirk Wheel’s potential as a prime visitor attraction.
A brochure setting out private sector franchise opportunities in retail, catering and corporate hospitality is being issued to interested businesses.
• The brochure is available on request from the BW press office.