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Wey & Arun Canal

Deb Israel K0731746


Context
The Bramley Link

‘For 36km the Wey and Arun canal generally remains in its rural state
as it crosses the Surrey and West Sussex countrside. However for 2km
the route through Bramley was built on during the 20th Century, and
a significant number of residential properties and infrastructure now
block the route of the original canal.’ Wey and Arun Canal Trust

x
Site Composition
Original canal bridge

sunrise
sunset

Wet & coppiced woodlands

midday
Wet corridor
October 2008 March 2009
October 2008

March 2009
Analysis - local supermarkets

Local supermarkets

Distances from the site to the supermarkets measured from The Tannery GU5 0AH

A - Budgens Stores Ltd - GU5 0HB - 0.7mi (1.12km)

B - Sainsbury’s Godalming - GU7 - 3.6mi (5.79km)

C - Waitrose Godalming - GU7 1HY - 3.7mi (5.95km)

D - Chinese Taste Guildford - GU2 7UN - 3.6m (5.79km)

E - Tesco Stores Ltd Guildford - GU2 7UN - 4.7mi (7.56km)


x
F - Los Amigos Latino Guildbord GU1 4HT - 3.8mi (6.11km)
Analysis: All Parts Analysis: Private Property Analysis: Buildings/Houses Analysis: Trees
Analysis

Current Current
Access Points Site Movement
Aims
Using opportunities to build upon the distinctive wet characteristic found in this area to generate more
wetlands & wet productive woodlands. New habitat creation promotes a biodiversity hotspot.

Objectives
Access:
Regenerate filled in original canal navigation with new tow/cycle paths.

Ecology:
Establishment of wet woodlands on unwooded site
Maintain through better management techniques the current area of semi-natural wet woodlands
Initiate measures intended to achieve favourable conditions of wet woodlands within SSSI/ASSIs
Promotion and protection of new ecological habitats

Sustainability:
Promoting growth & sale of local produce both on and around the site. The community will benefit
from coppiced woodland fuels, foraging and education in the use of woodland plants.
Phasing programme
A phased development program in three parts: (no alloted time schedule)

Phase 1: Regeneration of disused canal


Phase 1
Inclusion of dry swale & wetland areas
Focus on habitat creation with new wet woodland areas

Phase 2
Phase 2: Creation of more dry swale & wetland areas at mid-east region
Focus on habitat creation with more wet woodland areas
Construction of riverside nature trail

Phase 3: Creation of more dry swale & wetland areas at far-east region
Focus on habitat creation with more wet woodland areas Phase 3
Construction of riverside nature trail

The following proposal will focus chiefly on Phase 1 developments.


Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3
Connectivity
Propsed developments at the Tannery site would include new offices for the Wey
+ Arun Canal Trust and a café. trust
offices

parking
The café acts as a meeting point with outdoor seating
overlooking the new branch of the canal and pedestrian bridge.
cafe
The garden area features a micro-experience of the developed Wey & Arun site seating
with a mini wetland and raised deck for children to enjoy. area

Profits from the café would go to future Trust developments.

Parking spaces for visitors and staff would also be created behind the buildings.
Interventions
Connectivity

A new pedestrian bridge would need to be built to continue the connection of


the existing bridleway over the new canal which extends from Cranleigh waters. Bridge at Camden Lock, London

The bridge would have a recognisable visual identity and be a feature whilst
fitting in with the landscape and other interventions.

Calatrava’s Ponte della constituzione, Venice


Bridge width would be 2.8m allowing for horses and pedestrians.
Gradient of 1:21 would allow for disabled access with adequate clearance for
canal boats.

Calatrava’s Manrique Bridge, Spain


Connectivity A

The new canal navigation extends from Cranleigh Waters (A), follow-
ing its original path under the original bridge (B).

Its linear course bears gently to the left of the viaduct (C) where it re- C
joins Cranleigh Waters. (D)
D
Toe re-inforcement & vegetative horizon
Timber post & board toe-reinforcement Composite reed bank protection using gabian basket

Reed clumps planted in gabian basket.

Elm boards bolted to timber


posts
Typically 100mm sq

0.1 - 0.3m
0.6m

Timber posts
Typically 300 x 50mm

The above toe-reinforcement and horizon protection have been selected and integrated in order to create a vegetative, rural and re-inforced canal edge.
Structural spine

A structural ‘spine’ follows the length of the new canal and along the navigation,
Christo & Jean’s The Gates, Central Park
providing a visual identity to the site. NYC

Multi-purpose, the legs of each ‘vertebra’ act as toe re-inforcement for the ca-
nal bank while the concrete abutment is formed to create seating on the canal
edge.

The arm extending over the canal is fitted with small LED lights to attract insects
and moths. These lights are low voltage and would not affect nocturnal mam-
mals such as bats and owls. They are powered by small photovoltaic cellls on
the top of the spine’s ‘vertebra’.

Richard Rogers/SHop/Ken Smith NYC East


River Waterfront Study
Toe Reinforcement & Horizon Protection
Concrete arch fitted with low voltage
Concrete arch fitted with low voltage
blue LED light to attract moths &
blue LED light to attract moths &
insects.
insects. Improving Improving biodiversity.
biodiversity.
Due to low voltageDue to not
does low affect
voltage does
bats not affect
/ other bats / other
nocturnal animals.nocturnal animals.

1.5 - 2.5m
(varies)
1.5 - 2.5m Reed clumps planted in gabian basket.
(varies) Reed clumps planted in gabian basket.

0.1 - 0.3m

Timber post attached to gabian basket.


0.6m 0.1 - 0.3m 300 x 500mm

Concrete toe Timber post attached


re-inforcement to gabian
attached basket.
0.6m to timber post.
300 x 500mm

Concrete toe re-inforcement attached


to timber post.

Title: Wey & Arun Toe Reinforcement & Horizon Protection - SUPERCEDED
Date: April 2009
Scale: 1:50
0 1 2m
Design development Inclined steel arch fitted with low
voltage blue LED light to attract
moths & insects. Powered by small
photovoltaic cells.Low voltage does not
affect bats / other nocturnal animals.

Steel side cables provide added


support, inserted into bank and fixed
into place with steel trench sheets.
1.5 - 2.5m

The structural spine has evolved from a rigid design to a sweeping, (varies)
Horizontal concrete abutment forming
a bench.
graceful and slim arch that fits into the landscape and follows the
natural graceful flow of canal and river. It mimics the design of the Supporting concrete toe for horizon
re-inforcement.
bridge at the Canal Trust office and café site.
Timber post attached to gabian
basket. 300 x 500mm.
The lights are powered by small photovoltaic cells situated on the
top of each of the spine’s ‘vertebra’. Steel trench sheets.

Concrete toe re-inforcement attached


to timber post.
Bridle path Dry Swale Tow/Cycle path Wetland
Width 2.8m Width 2.8m Depth 0.8 - 2m (varies)
Width 2 - 2.5m

Title: Wey & Arun Drainage Cross Section


Date: April 2009
Scale: 1:50 0 1 2m
Natural habitats
Coppiced woodlands
Coppiced woodlands house a large variety of mammals: the
freshly cut wood attracts many grasshoppers, butterflies and
moths. They are paramount in sustaining woodland species.
1
Along with this, they provide the local community with fuel and
materials for creating fences and tools.

Their positioning along the whole site are in close proximity to


neighbouring houses to allow for easy access. 2

Species include: 3
Walnut (Juglans regia)
Ash (Fraxinus excelsior)
Bird cherry (Prunus padium)
Field Maple (Acer campestre)
Crab apple(Malus sylvestrus) 4
Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)
Hazel (Corylus avellana)
Wet woodlands

The site’s distinctive quality is its wet landscape, and since this type
of environment provides an abundance of habitats, it needs to be
created where possible and protected.

The five proposed woodlands will also provide foods and fuels to 1
the local community, adding to the self-sustaining nature of the
whole site. 2

Species include:
Walnut (Juglans regia)
Ash (Fraxinus excelsior)
Bird cherry (Prunus padium) 3
Field Maple (Acer campestre)
Crab apple(Malus sylvestrus)
Wild garlic (Allium ursinium)
Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris)
4
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)
Sorrel (Rumex acetosa) 5
Bramble fruit (Rubus fruticosus + Rubus idaeus
Wetlands + ponds

Wetlands and ponds provide habitats for many species of wildlife,


with invertebrates and macro-invertebrates providing food for many
birds and small mammals.

The wetlands along the site are found within the wet woodlands and 1
are accessed from the towpath taking the visitor over raised locally
sourced wooden decks.
2

Species include:
Common bulrush (Schoenoplectus) 3
Reed Mace (Typha latifolia)
Reed Sweet Grass (Glyceria)
Yellow Irish (Yellow flag)
Watercress (Nasturtium officinale) 4
Bogbean (menyanthes trifolata)
Marsh mallow (Althea officinalis) 5
Swamp Milkweed (Asalepias incanarta) Raised timber pathways
Wetlands flood management system
The proposed wetlands are part of a flood management dry swale
system for this area, with dry swales on the south-west edge
collecting and attenuating floodwater through a calvert running
under the canal and river to the various wetlands. calvert

Bridle path
Width 2.8m
Dry Swale Tow/Cycle path
Width 2.8m
Wetland
Depth 0.8 - 2m (varies)
wetland
Width 2 - 2.5m

Title: Wey & Arun Drainage Cross Section showing dry swale & calvert use
Number: 2
Date: April 2009 0 1 2m Title: Wey & Arun Drainage C
Scale: 1:50
Number: 3
Date: April 2009
Scale: 1:50

2.1 Slope Permeable Gravel Calvert Title: Wey & Arun Drainage Cross Section
or flatter
soil Depth approx 300mm
Runs under canal. Flood overflow from Date: April 2009
Depth up to 1m dry swale filters into wetland Scale: 1:50 0 1 2m
Wildflower meadows
The two sunny areas along the site are well situated for wildflower
meadows. They should be cleared of invasive species (ie nettles and
brambles) and prepared in early spring. The established wildflower
meadow should be grazed throughout the year to allow desirable
species to flourish and to maintain & remove any invasive species.

The neighbouring eastern farms have cattle and sheep to provide


grazing services. 1

2
Benefits:
Aesthetically pleasing, self-sustaining, low maintenance.

Creates habitats for mammals and invertebrates.

Creates breeding areas for species of fungi and mushrooms.

Production of different wild flowers throughout the seasons can be used as an edible food
source.

Effective at trapping airborne pollutants.


Wildflower meadows
For this site, (Woodland, wet, waterlogged in winter) a mixture of
cornfield annuals and wet soils wildflower and grass mix will
provide instant colour with short term effect while reducing weed
invasion. They need to be sown onto bare soil and not into
established grass.

Maintenance:
Spring flowering meadows: Cut in July & for the remainder of the
summer. Leave unmown from February to July.

Flowers: cowslips, snakeshead fritillary, lady’s smock, selfheal and


bugle, star of bethlehem, wood anemone, wild garlic, wild daffodil,
bluebells.

Summer-flowering meadows: Cut in late August or September.

Flowers: knapweed, devil’s bit scabious and lady’s bedstraw


Biodiversity
Biodiversity

Habitats are the basic essential for biodiversity to exist.

The proposed interventions all promote a healthy and active diversity of


woodland wildlife.

The proposed canal re-inforcement structural ‘spine’ has an added function


- the small blue low-voltage LED lights attract moths and other flying insects
at night, which then attract owls and bats and other night feeding birds.
Birds 7 4 1

A number of raptors are associated with Surrey’s woodland habitats. Woodland


glades act as important feeding sites for a variety of birds drawn to the abundance of
invertebrates.
Coppiced woodland and regenerating scrub thickets provide a characteristic habitat
for species such as the nightingale. As these woodlands disappear so do their bird 8 8 5
species.
The proposed coppiced woodland and wet woodlands will protect the species.
2

1 Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus)


2 Song thrush (Turdus philomelos)
3 Eurasian coot (Fulica atra Linnaeus)
Biodiversity

4 Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)


5 Redpoll (Carduelis flammea) 10
6 Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) 9 6 3
7 Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)
8 Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)
9 Willow warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus)
10 Common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)
11 Blackbird (Turdus merula)
12 Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos)
12 11
Small mammals + bats 10 7 4 1

Surrey’s considerable coverage of Ancient semi-natural woodland


and its old trees with holes and loose bark provide an important
habitat for bats. The woodlands are also home to many badgers, roe
deer, rabbit & grey squirrel.
The hazel doormouse has declined greatly due to the cessation of 2
8
traditional hazel coppice practice while water vole numbers have also
declined following shrinking wet woodlands & wetlands. The
proposed coppiced woodlands & wetlands will create the environ-
11 5
ments these mammals require to survive.

1 Eurpean mole (Talpa europaea)


2 European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
13 9 3
Biodiversity

3 Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus)


4 Hazel doormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius)
5 Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus)
6 Badger (Meles meles)
7 Muntjac deer (Muntiacus reevesi) 12 6
8 Grey squirrel (Neosciurus carolinensis)
9 Water vole (Arvicola terrestris)
10 Noctule bat (Nyctalus noctula)
11 Whiskered bat (Myotis mystacinus)
12 Leisler’s bat (Nyctalus leisleri)
13 Pipistrelle bat (Pipistrellus pipistrellus)
Butterflies + moths 10 7 4 1

Moths comprise an interesting array of species in Surrey’s


woodland. Most butterflies use grasses or herbs of the ground
layer as larval foodplants and many are found in sunny rides,
clearings and newly coppiced areas. As woods have become
shadier these butterflies have declined. The wildflower
meadows will encourage more species. 11 8 5 2

1 White admiral (Ladoga camilla)


2 Purple emperor (Apatura iris)
3 Brown hairstreak (Thecla betulae)
Biodiversity

4 Silver-washed fritillary (Argynnis paphia)


5 Wood white (Leptidea sinapis)
6 Small pearl-bordered fritillary (Boloria selene)
7 Juniper pug (Eupithecia pusillata) 9 6 3
8 Juniper carpet moth (Thera juniperata)
9 Lime hawk moth (Mimas tiliae)
10 Poplar hawk moth (Laothoe populi)
11 Double square spot’s (Xestia triangulum)
12 Large emerald (Geometra papilionaria)

12
Fungi + invertebrates 7
1

Dependent on age and structure, woodlands can provide a diverse range of


both fungi and lichens. To date 755 different species of fungi have been
identified in Surrey, including (Myxarium crystallinum), a species new to science.
4
Several species of spider live in Surrey’s box and yew woods along with a
profusion of beetles and bugs thriving within the leaf layer and decaying wood. 8 5 2

Several species of cricket and grasshoppers are widespread and abundant in


Surrey, most favouring woodland edges and sunny clearings.
Biodiversity

1 Cribellate spider (Hyptoites paradoxus)


2 Crab spider (Diaea dorsata)
3 Stag beetle (Lucanus cervus)
4 Oak bush-cricket (Meconema thalassinum) 6 3
5 Dark bush-cricket (Pholidoptera griseoaptera)
6 Bog bush-cricket (Metrioptera brachyptera)
7 Common groundhopper (Tetrix undulata)
8 Russula
9 Marasmius
10 Cortinarius 10 9

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