C O N T E X T 1 1 2 : N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 9 37 ANDREW TEGG Heritage volunteers at Hincaster horse path British Waterways has found new ways of partnership working to secure a scheduled monument through a management agreement and skilled volunteers. Britain’s canals are notable for their many locks and bridges.These bear testament to the skill and perseverance of the engineers and navvies who drove these water highways through the landscape during the late 18th century, revolutionising transport and industry. A plethora of lesser-known features is often overlooked when the heritage significance of a canal is considered. Hincaster horse path is one such feature and its significance has been recognised by its designation as a scheduled monument. The horse path stands on the un-restored section of the Lancaster Canal, and is not highly visible. Over time, the path and its associated structures had started to deteriorate. The invasion of rapidly growing vegetation threatened the integrity of the structures and increasingly screened them from public view. Hincaster Tunnel is 346 metres long. It was constructed in 1813–1819 to divert the canal alongside the Sedgwick gunpowder works. Passing through the tunnel, the water level is 23 metres below the summit of the hill. When the tunnel was constructed, boat propulsion was achieved by the use of a towing horse. In order to save money, and in common with most canal tunnels, Hincaster was constructed without a towpath. Instead, boat horses had to be led over the hill, and across agricultural land not owned by the Lancaster Canal Company. For this purpose, a narrow lane was constructed over the hill between the two tunnel portals. The lane has drystone walls on either side, and is lower than the surrounding fields. Small accommodation bridges were constructed to allow farm traffic to cross between fields. The bridges have a delightfully simple character, being constructed on similar lines to those crossing the canal itself. The arches of these bridges are extremely narrow, only wide enough to permit the passage of a single horse. Hincaster horse path is a scheduled monument. One of the bridges that crosses the path is separately designated as a Grade II listed building. British Waterways had been concerned for a number of years with the encroachment of vegetation on the structure, and the damage this caused. It was fully aware of its commitments under heritage legislation to maintain the structure in good order. But there are over 100 listed buildings and three further scheduled monuments on the Lancaster Canal. The majority of these are now nearly 200 years old, and have to be managed to meet modern safety and access standards. In late 2006 the Lancaster Canal Trust put forward the idea of its members undertaking repair works to the scheduled horse path. This was part of the trust’s remit to increase awareness among all users of this historic and beautiful waterway. The trust is committed to the continuing maintenance of the canal’s heritage. It pursues a collaborative approach, working in conjunction with various bodies including local authorities, county councils, British Waterways and representatives from canal user groups. Following initial discussions between British Waterways, the trust and English Heritage, a proposal was formulated that would secure remedial works in the short term. It would involve signing a five-year management agreement relating to the structure under section 17 of the Ancient Monuments and Areas Act (1979) which would mean that a range of operations normally requiring formal scheduled monument consent could be facilitated. The first stage of the process was to prepare and agree the content of the management agreement. This included a technical specification for works that could be performed under its terms. The drafting process recorded the significance of the historic horse path, using British Waterways’ adopted heritage standards to form the basis of the working specifications. The initial drafting concluded that the management agreement would be accompanied by two distinct annexes. The first contains specifications to be followed when undertaking remedial and repair works including monitoring and general principles, graffiti and paint removal, re-pointing, grouting, repair and replacement, vegetation clearance and re-surfacing. English Heritage suggested that, as the trust had Site plan showing the extent of SAM and British Waterways’ management © Crown copyright. All rights reserved British Waterways 100019843 2007 Annexe 1 and Annexe 2
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