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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

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Who owns the towpath?

he Conservators of The River Cam are the land owners of: the towpath, the river bank adjoining it, and from the towpath, in the other, direction to the tree line.

 

What does the Permissive Pathway Agreement mean?

This is an agreement between Cambridgeshire County Council and the Conservators agreeing that pedal bicycles are permitted to use part of the Conservancy’s land namely, the towpath/Halingway.

 

Why do the Conservators of the River Cam need an annual tree maintenance plan?

This is to ensure the appropriate management of the Conservancy’s 900 trees in a safe, environmentally appropriate and affordable way.

 

Why does the tree work take place between October & March?

The birds’ nesting season if from April to September, and following environmental guidelines, it is recommended that vegetation works including tree, hedge cutting or site clearance should be done outside of the bird nesting season.

 

Why is a Temporary Traffic Restriction Order (TTRO) required?

A TTRO is required by Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC) for anyone carrying out work requiring closures on a highway. In legal terms the towpath constitute a public highway. Conservators apply for this annually in relation to the annual tree work.

 

Why does the TTRO say that closures will take place between October & March?

One TTRO covers a broad period that will incorporate closures that may differ in length and the times when closures are required. This is done for safety reasons for the general public and for the contractors carrying out the works. This is a challenging environment in which to carry out such work.

21/05/2024 LOCK CLOSURE INFORMATION

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Due to safety concerns regarding the structural integrity of the lock islands at Baits Bite and Jesus Green, the decision has been taken to temporarily close the locks until further notice. More detailed structural investigations will be undertaken and a plan for remedial works developed urgently. The Conservators are engaging with the Environment Agency and Local Authorities to seek a coordinated approach.

 

Further information: The Conservators of the River Cam are responsible for the navigation (the river) from Mill Pool in Cambridge to Bottisham Lock (Waterbeach) and the locks in between, namely Jesus Green Lock (JGL) in Cambridge and Bait’s Bite Lock (BBL). ​Each lock has an island between the lock chamber and the sluice and weir structures, which it supports. At both Jesus Lock and Baits Bite Lock, the Conservators own the lock and lock island, while the Environment Agency (EA) own and operate the sluice and weir. In addition, the lock islands support footbridges and public right of way in these locations, which are managed by the relevant Local Authorities.​

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Following observations of cracks in both lock islands, early in 2024 the Conservators of the River Cam commissioned structural surveys.​ The consequent reports identify significant structural fragility in the lock islands and a need for reinforcement work in the short to medium term.​ The Conservators have collectively reviewed the reports and are urgently drawing up a detailed risk assessment, commissioning more detailed surveys, and developing a project plan for remedial works.

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