"Daniel Hutchinson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >It indeed would be a great shame should another low bridge should be >placed over a for-now deralic canal. And i hope it does not go ahead. > - I have made my comments on the provided electronic form.
I've now got a copy of the preliminary plan. Unfortunately, it isn't just one bridge. It's three (one is a footbridge, the other two are for internal roads in the housing development). As the terrain is almost flat, arched bridges (with the required sloping approaches) probably aren't feasible. But movable (swing or lift) ones would be. Of course, all utility runs crossing the canal will have to be under the bed.. Also, the plan leaves the line of the canal otherwise unobstructed, but as a dry bed. It should be put back in water (and dredged to original profile, of course). No difficulty with that - just reconnect it to the basin (there's a stop lock which may need fixing, though). Also, the bed would be much narrowed, to allow for a row of parking down one side. That needs changing too. None of these changes seems to me to be unreasonably expensive, given the size of the development, and I think Gravesham's policies imply that something like them will need to be required as a condition of approval. However, the more people whose objections remind it of that, the better. Adrian PS The canal through the next piece of land beyond the development site is dry and infilled, but beyond that it is open and in water. One thing at a time, though. Adrian Stott 07956-299966
