British Waterways (BW) and the King's Cross Central Partnership (KXCP) have secured half a million pounds towards improvements to the Regent’s Canal between the Constitution pub (the exit for Camden Garden Centre) and the Islington Tunnel (aka the western portal). Additionally, the rental income from four canalside properties including the new T1 building will fund future improvements. Yesterday saw Latham Architects, the company employed by BW and KXCP to produce a masterplan for this stretch of the canal, run a two and a half hour consultation session with various stakeholders including the London Canal Museum, St Pancras Cruising Club, Thornhill Community Gardens, King’s Cross Community Projects, the Inland Waterway Association and Battlebridge Moorings.

A vast number and variety of potential projects were introduced by Latham’s. All were inspiring, many open to improvement and only a couple were no-goers. The secured funding is unlikely to completely fund any single project, so being flooded with all those great ideas was a little frustrating. In this case I didn’t feel there was any hidden agenda in this, unlike many master-planning consultation exercises that seek to obfuscate at best and at worst to waste valuable time and goodwill by leading stakeholders down hopeful but dead-end paths – the infamous Argent masterplan for example. So many community organisations and schools hopes were raised by Argent who has paid us back by delivering a largely unimaginative development that gives nothing back to the communities that surround King’s Cross Central.

Some key principles did result from the meeting; hopefully these will be included in the final plan due for public consultation in February 2010:

• Boat communities are key to the ongoing sustainability of the canal. Replacement of the Goodsway Moorings should be a priority as should protection of all other moorings on this section of the canal.
• The canal must remain open for use by a wide variety of appropriate boats, including freight carriers.
• Protection of existing wildlife habitat areas should override other uses – the canal forms an important ‘green corridor’. Self-seeded planting and mature ivy as well as grassy verges for grazing are all essential. The currently sterile areas on the, mostly privately owned, south side of the canal should be used to provide additional habitats for a diverse range of indigenous species. The Islington Biodiversity Action Plan will be out for consultation before Christmas and will include the canal.
• Any new signage should be unobtrusive and all efforts should be made to retain the towpath’s semi-wild character, much needed in this area. The canal should not be subsumed into looking like part of the massive King’s Cross Central Development, but should stand apart with its unique identity. (An interesting new term was coined – King’s Cross Centralisation!)
• Community engagement and participation should be prioritised.
• There are now no organised water activities, particularly for youth, on this stretch of canal. Provision should be made for a major sustainable community facility, perhaps by gifting assets to a Community Development Trust.
• The industrial heritage of the towpath should be preserved and protected. This would include maintaining a balance between retaining ivy for wildlife and revealing the multi-coloured stock brick and Midland Railway red brick walls.

The discussion was very productive and covered much more than I can address here. Interesting little snippets included:

• Mooring rings should be of practical use, they are often not in new developments – the mooring rings provided by King’s Place are too small and inaccessible.
• British Waterways is working with Phillips to develop bat friendly lighting. Whilst lighting would be of real benefit to pedestrians and cyclists, unless properly planned it could drive away the existing bat population on this stretch of the canal, particularly under bridges and in the tunnel.
• Access for people fishing needs to be retained. Some interesting design ideas, such as ‘bays’ where the towpath is wide enough, were suggested. Floating pontoons were felt to be inadvisable as they impinge on the waterspace.

All in all this was a very positive morning, it’s not often we get to spend time specifically thinking about our local amenities in this way. The presentation given by Latham's yesterday can be downloaded here. (Note: this file is nearly 10 megabytes big so don't download it unless you've got the bandwidth to cope.)

Chris Twomey of Latham’s sums it all up:

“I enjoyed meeting local interest groups/stakeholders and hearing a wide range of views.  The concept ideas we presented prompted lots of lively discussion.  The overwhelming message we took home is to make sure we develop a practical plan which improves the Regent’s Canal corridor, whilst ensuring its special character is not lost.  We look forward to discussing proposals again in the new year and plan to hold a public consultation event in February 2010.”