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is one of the original pages from the site by Michael Askin, the text is
original however the pictures are only thumb nails. Lager views of the
Navigation pictures are to be found in the Main Picture Gallery.
Driffield Navigation Amenities Association
(Registered Charity No 515861)
The Past
It was a yachtsman from Brigham, Mr. H. A. Taylor, who started the movement to
reestablish the commissioners (the governing body) and restore the navigation
from Hull to Driffield and the Driffield Navigation Amenities Association (DNAA)
was born. To date, the commissioners have been set up and charitable status
obtained for them and the DNAA - now the working and fund raising part of the
organisation; Struncheon Hill Lock has been repaired; Bethel's Bridge has been
made to swing again; Town Lock at Driffield is completed and will be opened very
soon; banks, brickwork and fencing have been repaired and are maintained at
Driffield Riverhead, Brigham and North Frodingham. This has all been done by
volunteer labour and fund raising.
The Future
The next major task is Brigham Bridge. This is a bridge which provides the only
access to a pig farm and which, at present, is fixed and bars navigation to all
but canoes and dinghies. This bridge must be replaced by a movable structure
strong enough to carry the 32 ton trucks which need to reach the farm, whilst
being so constructed that it can be opened by one average sized adult. This must
all be done in such a way that access to the farm is not blocked for more than
short periods at a time. No mean feat and not a job for amateurs working at
weekends, no matter how devoted to the cause. We need money to employ a
contractor to do this one for us. By opening up Brigham Bridge, the navigable
stretch of waterway will be extended to Snakeholme Lock, just south of Wansford,
a considerable addition to the cruisable length.
Benefits
The benefits of the canal restoration work are many and varied. The extension of
the navigable stretch of this waterway will considerably improve its amenity
value to the small boats which already use it: access to centers of population
like Wansford and Driffield will add enormously interest value and, in return,
the boats will add colour and diversity to these places without adding to the
congestion on the roads. It is of particular importance that this stretch be
developed as access to the inland waterways network of the rest of the country
is greatly hindered by the River Humber, whose dangers deter many canal boat
users. The existence of a navigable waterway of reasonable length and interest
will draw many small boat owners from all over the country. Many nonboat owners
around the country are interested in canal restoration work and will come to see
what has been done here some already do come. This increase in tourism will
bring much needed money into the area and all relevant businesses will benefit,
many already see this future value and support us well.
The amenity value is not restricted to boat owners alone; anglers will
continue to use the waterway, but the presence of boats and their movement will
help to maintain the flow of water and control weed growth, thus keeping the
water from stagnating and becoming foul and so maintaining a healthier fish
stock; the many ramblers in the area... A commercial venture offering boat trips to the public is already operating
on the navigation and the amount of interest being shown in this demonstrates
that there is a desire for such an amenity in the area.
The locks themselves are listed buildings and, without proper repair and
maintenance work, they will continue to deteriorate; the wood and brickwork will
start to crumble and become unsafe, eventually giving way completely. If this is
allowed to happen we will have lost places of interest in our area which are
part of our heritage. There is something about the site of a well maintained
lock which conjures up a vision of the working barges which used them centuries
ago when the pace of life was so much less hurried.
The National Rivers Authority cuts the reeds in places periodically to
maintain the flow which is necessary for the supply of water to Top Hill Low
Pumping Station, at Struncheon Hill Lock. This pumping station supplies East
Hull's drinking water and so its need for water is of paramount importance. The
regular movement of boats, especially motor boats with propellers, will go some
way to performing this task for them and may help to reduce the necessary
frequency of weed cutting.
Because this is a drinking water supply, some people are worried about the
possibility of pollution arising from the boats. In order to obtain a license to
use this stretch of water, a boat must conform to the standards laid down by the
Inland Waterways Association, e.g. it must have a toilet which is not emptied
into the water but where the waste is taken home by the boater and disposed of
safely (the cows on the banks do not have this facility!). The commissioners
also insist that boaters (and others) do not litter, but take their rubbish
home.
Contrary to popular opinion, most wildlife in the area quickly adjusts to the
movements of boats. The swans in particular seem to choose stretches of water
near to the moorings to rear their young. There is a pair of swans who do this
only yards from an area where about fifty small craft are permanently moored.
They come back every year and are quite unafraid of the boats or their users.
The swallows often rest on the mooring ropes of boats, whether occupied or not
and swoop low over the water only feet in front of moving boats the speed limit
is only 5 MPH (of the boats not the birds!) and presents no problems to them.
Struncheon Hill Lock is often visited by avid bird watchers who know that they
are likely to see a wide range of birds both of land and water, non of them
disturbed by the boats nearby or the movements at the adjoining pumping station.
Some species, however, do not take kindly to man or their machines and these
would be deterred from coming to the area. However, most of the banks in
question are farmed land where man and his machines already invade the privacy
of the wildlife and long stretches still to be made navigable run only feet from
a busy road so, unfortunately, these shy species are not and never will be here
for longer than the odd visit anyway, boats or no boats.
In short then, the potential amenity value of the Driffield Navigation, once
opened up to Driffield will increase immeasurably, bringing both trade to the
businesses of the area and pleasure to thousands of ordinary people, both local
and visitors.
If you feel you would like to know more about the canal or its restoration
work, contact any of the
committee members. If you would like to help us either practically or
financially we would be delighted to hear from you..
Last Changed: 9 June 1996
Text ©1995 DNAA
html layout Michael Askin