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Below are some pictures of the site as it is now to explain why the design shows the basin the shape that it is.
The basin is limited in size by the idea that it should be based within the constraints off being built on what is now solid ground.
Click "Read More" to see pictures of the site:
Click on "enlarge icon" on picture to view picture full size.
Looking north west direct at centre of basin. The basin would be on the raised ground in the center of the picture with the area closer being filled with some of the soil excavated to make the basin blend into the landscape and look as natural as possible. A large amount of soil must be removed some of which would be spread out into the valley.
Closer to the site looking directly at where the centre of the basin would be. The shape follows the edge of the raised ground so that the basin would be based on what is now settled soild.
The base of the fence just visible at the middle left of this picture is at about the same level as the canal towpath would be.
The new bridge, the car park is above to the left. The basin would go "into" the bank on the right of this picture closer to the drives to the houses than the existing path. The towpath level would be above the level of the existing path. The Concrete bridge inside is about two meters above the level of teh towpath - so just enough headroom to walk through.
Looking south through the car park which can remain about the same size. The basin is at a much lower level than the car park.
Looking east across the site. The house to the right of this picture was built on the track of the original canal arm into the town and so the ground level is about the same as the existing canal.
The canal towpath level is about 90.6m above sea level with the water level at 90.14m. The base of the fence on the picture below is at about 90.4m and the towpath would be several meters away from this fence.
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Looking north at the site from the road. With the basin built and the ground landscaped the ground would slope up "naturally" from the level of the stream.
Looking from aprox the south east corner of where the new basin would be towards the newer bridge. The level of the towpath is a little above the level of the existing path.
Looking from old bridge towards newer. The towpath would follow the same track as now. Moved in places a little to the right in this picture.
The end of existing arm. Access to the left hand side of the arm in this pictur would be an issue once the extension was made. There are various possible solutions to this to be investigated.
