Montgomery Canal Conservation Management Strategy (1.2MB PDF)

8.2 THE CRITICAL PATH: PHASING
Timetables for the restoration will depend on external funders, and must therefore remain flexible. Separate organisations
in England and Wales necessitate a twin track approach, and progress could happen at either end first. Different
elements of work may attract different funding opportunities and it may not be possible or desirable to deliver each
“phase” as a single large block of works. For instance dredging works form an essential part of positive management of
the nature conservation value as well as maintaining/restoring navigation and therefore could be carried out as a rolling
programme from the very start of restoration through to the final re-opening of navigation.
However, there are a number of processes that must be undertaken sequentially and form a critical path, notably the
construction of the new habitat areas in advance of increasing or re-opening navigation, through the principle Monitoring
Informs Action. Similarly a phased dredging programme has been identified as essential for a variety of reasons, and
must be started at the earliest opportunity. Furthermore it is essential that positive management to improve the condition
of the SSSIs continues at all times, on the whole canal, and not just on sections being restored to navigation.
The diagrams below (Figures 8.4 and 8.5) lay out a basic arrangement for this process. It demonstrates that some
activities must happen in sequence, whereas others can continue in parallel to each other and illustrates the influence of
monitoring informs action approach on the build up of navigation. Such flexibility is essential in order to enable a coherent
approach to funding the full project, but with the ability to respond quickly to new opportunities. Flexibility will allow for
grant applications of a range of sizes, but with the overall objective of securing resources as soon as possible to realise
the full vision.
All physical works need to be preceded by a period for securing funding, agreement of relevant maintenance
arrangements, regulatory approvals etc.
Each block of work should be able to stand alone, justifying funding in its own right as well as contributing to the
continuum of overall benefits, for example by tying in to one of the associated developments discussed in 8.3.
Phasing has been arranged to take on board Partners’ views expressed during the Options Appraisal process that we
should aim to deliver early gains from the “Option 1B” approach initially, as a stepping stone to delivery of “Option 3” as
the end result. Consequently the pre-requisite works are packaged as the early gains envisaged by Option 1B – nature
reserves, in-channel protection and non-navigation based access and tourism improvements.
8.3 ASSOCIATED DEVELOPMENTS
A number of sites will have opportunities opened up as a result of the continued canal restoration, and some of these are
outlined below. The consideration of the restoration as a driver for a wider canal corridor is an important consideration
when assessing potential economic impacts. Jobs created will depend greatly on the scale of any future developments,
but it can be estimated that taking this wider view will increase potential jobs created from around 120 to 300. Any
schemes will be required to go through full planning processes, with relevant details addressed at that stage and public
consultation at all appropriate stages.
These sites are largely areas identified in existing local development plans for canal-related developments such as
marinas. As the plans are based on 1980s restoration proposals, with much higher levels of boat movements and less
emphasis on environmental issues, they need to be updated to align with the Strategy agreed by the Partners.
It is envisaged that all members of the partnership will assist local authority partners (who will lead) in developing new
frameworks for each of these sites to attract appropriate private sector investment and support the process of capturing
value from these developments (e.g. through voluntary planning gain arrangements, via Section 106 agreements).
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