Grand Union - Wendover Arm and Buckingham Canal

Wendover Arm

The Wendover Arm Trust was formed in 1989 to restore the unnavigable section of the canal. The first ½ mile, from the former stop lock at Little Tring to a new basin/winding hole, was opened for navigation in 2005, producing a total navigable length of about 1½ miles. Restoration of the next 1½ miles from Little Tring to Drayton Beauchamp is ongoing with two footbridges completed and 1,552m rewatered back to Bridge No 4. This leaves a further 852m to be completed to join with Phase 1, which is fully navigable. During 2022 the trust was able to secure some major funding from Dacorum Borough Council and Tring Town Council for removal of the old tip at Little Tring, and the majority of the infill waste, amounting to 1,400 tons, has been removed by contractors. The trust is now working on the connection between the existing navigable canal and Phase 2 of the restoration.

The historic pumping station site at Whitehouses has been restored by the trust and required works were completed in 2021. This is a site of archaeological interest and an operation feature for taking surplus water into Wilstone Reservoir. Work on restoring brickwork which supported an old rotten swing-bridge has also been finished.

The trust has planted 550 saplings on the non-towpath side, kindly donated by the Woodland Trust, of which 450 were planted in December 2020 with the help of numerous volunteers, the majority of the trees being behind the completed winding hole. In November 2023 a further 200 saplings were planted by the trust, assisted by the 1st Aston Clinton Scouts. Another 220 saplings and 120 hedging plants will be dug in when suitable weather conditions permit.
The towpath at the Wendover end of the canal was improved during spring 2023 as a result of funding from five organisations. The surface has been relaid and is now complete as far as Halton and further lengths are planned subject to funding. The trust has also completed some towpath improvements at Little Tring and has been overwhelmed by the number of messages received, all commenting on the huge improvement.

_{April 2024}

Buckingham Canal

Buckingham Canal Society has rewatered 500m of the canal at Cosgrove passing under Bridge No 1, which was restored in 2020. This is connected to the main Grand Union Canal and due to be opened for use as additional moorings during 2024. Rewatering towards the A5 continues and the society now has agreement in principle from National Highways to pass under the A5 dual carriageway. Bridge No 2 is where BCS has started to uncover the structure’s remains. Once it is confirmed how much is useable, a decision can be made as to what restoration is practical and necessary. Design work is in progress with the neighbouring landowners, CRT and the district council to pursue opportunities for construction of a new 3-mile link for the Buckingham Arm between Cosgrove, Old Stratford and Passenham, to replace that lost to housebuilding. The fully restored section at Bourton Meadow in Buckingham remains a very popular local attraction and is thriving environmentally, with multiple endangered species appearing in the vicinity. Buckingham Canal Nature Reserve at Hyde Lane, which BCS leases from the local wildlife trust, is being slowly rewatered as and when water levels and sun (for the solar pump) permit

_{April 2024}