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Background information
Clarence canal bridge
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 One of the conditions laid down by the Macclesfield Borough Council Planning Committee for the development of apartments on the top two floors of Clarence Mill was that there had to be a '106 agreement'. This requires the developer to provide funds to the local council which will be spent on local environmental enhancement.
In the case of Clarence mill the 106 agreement specified a sum of about £30,000 to be used to provide a foot bridge across the canal at the southern end of the mill. This money was paid to the borough council who retain it pending construction of the bridge.
For the past five years and more, ever since planning permission was granted for the apartments, negotiations have been continuing with one party or another to bring about the construction of this bridge. It has been a very sorry saga with many setbacks. However, many of these problems are now behind us and we can get on with building the bridge. Except that it is now going to cost a lot more than the original £30,000 budget.
The picture shows the canal at Clarence Mill. The bridge will cross at the corner, just beyond the red boat, from the bank in the trees on the left to the bank beneath the trees on the right and will curve over the canal just above the roof of the boat.
A planning application has been submitted with Macclesfield Borough Council in August 2008. View the plans. The plan number is 08/1725P.
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Fund raising
The total sum to be raised is now about £150,000. The bridge will actually cost less than this, but money is also required for a maintenance dowry - that's why it seems such a lot. Various grants have been applied for by the Civic Society.
We see it as important to get this bridge constructed before the next Bollington Festival in May 2009. So early success with the funders is essential if we are to achieve that target.
The rest of this page provides basic background information on the project. Additional information is available in a briefing document.
Why are the Civic Society involved?
In reality every local body is involved. The canal is owned by British Waterways (BW). Cheshire County Council (CCC), Macclesfield Borough Council (MBC) and Bollington Town Council (BTC) all have an interest one way or another. However, none of these bodies are permitted to own such a structure. But there has to be an owner so it was decided that Bollington Civic Society should become the owner. This actually has benefits because we are a registered charity and that gives us access to funding which is not available to public authorities.
Bridge design
The bridge has already been designed under a contract let to CCC. Their bridge architect has recommended a standard structure spanning 22m across the canal at the point where the ground rises on both sides. There will be ramps on both sides enabling full access for wheeled pedestrian equipment such as pushchairs and wheelchairs. The bridge will be constructed of steel and timber mounted on stone plinths. The deck will be slightly curved reflecting the curve in the stone bridges over the canal.
The bridge will span both the water and the towpath so avoiding any problems of obstruction of the towpath for mooring boats. Because the landings will be on the higher ground the ramps will be laid on the ground surface rather than elevated, which can look rather unsightly.
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