Marple Aqueduct

[dor]

Just had this from Stockport Planning dept:

Reference: DC/065684
Proposal: Proposed installation of safety parapet
Location: Marple Aqueduct , Off Station Road, Marple, Stockport, SK6 5LD
I refer to the above planning application and am writing to inform you that the
application is to be considered by the Marple Committee at its meeting on 12th
July 2017 and the starting time of the Committee is shown below. The precise time
for the consideration of planning applications will be at the discretion of the relevant
Committee.
The public, applicants or their agents have the opportunity to speak in favour or
against a planning application. Normally, only one person is allowed to speak. If the
applicant is not present, anyone wishing to speak in support of the application will be
allowed to do so. Members of the Area Committee may ask questions if they need to
clarify any points. The public are not allowed to take part in the debate on the
application and may not ask questions of Councillors, Council Officers, or the
Applicant/ Objector, once the public speaking part has taken place. Further details of
how you can speak at an Area Committee are available from the Democratic
Services Team on 0161 474 3216.
The committee report is available to view at:
http://democracy.stockport.gov.uk/ieDocHome.aspx?bcr=1
If the application is not decided by the Area Committee, it may be considered by the
next Planning and Highways Regulation Committee. To find out the date and time of
that Committee, please contact the above officer. If you attend the Area Committee
you will be verbally informed of the date of the Planning and Highways Regulation
Committee.
Yours sincerely

[Derek R.]

This is curious, as the images of the proposed barrier show a superimposed image of a walker on what appears to be a graveled path, and clearly on the Northern side of the aqueduct. Yet that side is fenced off at either end, and there is no current public access to it. So are there plans to open up a walkway in the vicinity? Or is someone covering their backsides against some H & S litigation?

The proposed plans are available here in pdf form:

http://democracy.stockport.gov.uk/documents/s121143/Marple Aqueduct Plans Final.pdf

[dor]

So, the contentious railings have been approved.

What's next?  Crick Aqueduct; it has a similar parapet.  The offside of Pontcysyllte?   Locks?

I really didn't think this would get approval having seen the arguments against it.  Just another unnecessary "H&S" box ticked.

[Derek R.]

Just another example of authoritatively stupidity at work. Some pen pusher will be proud of their work.

[Peter-Bullfinch]

The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct has Unesco world heritage status. I would imagine that it might be difficult to install offside railings here without a fair amount of vociferous planning meetings being held.

(Picture of my wife threatening to pull the plug on our recent canal journey.)