Watersports enthusiasts have been given a boost with the launch of new facilities at the Grand Western Canal.
The Canal Ranger Service has constructed a new split-level landing stage near Holbrook Bridge, Sampford Peverell, providing a deck at towpath height for powered boats to use, and a lower deck at a convenient height for canoes, kayaks and paddleboards.
It replaces the previous structure which was built in the mid-2000s but had reached the end of its serviceable life. Minnows Touring Park has generously contributed over £500 towards the cost of materials for the new landing stage.
Councillor Jacqi Hodgson, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Biodiversity, said:
“The Canal Rangers are committed to improving facilities for visitors to the Canal and this new landing stage is an excellent upgrade on the previous one. It’s good to see that it’s already being well-used by people making the most of our local environment for the benefit of their health and wellbeing.”
Councillor Les Cruwys, Chair of the Grand Western Canal Joint Advisory Committee, said: “I’m pleased that we’ve worked closely with a local business to provide something that is mutually beneficial for the canal and the caravan park. I’m sure it will be appreciated by visitors who use it and will be extremely popular.”
Councillor Simon Clist, County Councillor for Wiland and Uffculme, said:
“The owners of Minnow Touring Park had noticed that the previous landing stage was mainly used by anglers and paddlers, but that it was too high for paddlers to launch and recover. This split-level design solves that issue and it’s the same style as the landing stage built by the Ranger Service a few miles further north along the canal in 2019, which has worked really well.”
Julie Evans, Owner of Minnows Touring Park, said: “I am delighted with the new two-tier landing stage that has been erected by the Canal Rangers. Lots of our customers love using the Grand Western canal for walking, cycling and fishing, but in recent years I have seen an increase in canoes, kayaks and paddleboards. When Mark Baker, the Country Park Manager, approached me about Minnows Touring Park funding a new two-tier landing stage it was an obvious choice. I have lots of great feedback from customers about ease of access onto the canal and the joy of fishing right outside the private gate. I would like to thank Mark and the team who work tirelessly on keeping the canal so well preserved for us all to enjoy.”
While carrying out the work to remove the old landing stage, Rangers found that the bank was vertical instead of the usual slope. In order to protect the bank and towpath they installed a specialist fabric product called Nicospan which is designed specifically for vertical bank protection. Once this section of the bank was lined the new landing stage was constructed.
There are also plans for the decking boards from the old landing stage to be re-used to make bird boxes during sessions with students from local schools. At over an inch thick, the planks should make sturdy and long-lasting boxes to provide homes for birds along the canal.