TO COMPLETE a new bridge which will allow a section of the Wey & Arun Canal to be opened its Trust is seeking to raise £120,000 to finish the crossing in Alfold, its largest restoration scheme so far.
With volunteers now busy on the final stages of construction work, the Wey & Arun Canal Trust has calculated this amount is needed for the completion of the Compasses Bridge project.
Summit level
The bridge is on the waterway's summit level, at one of the entrances to the Dunsfold Park aerodrome and business complex. Replacing a 1930s concrete causeway which blocked the canal, it was opened to traffic at Easter. The photograph shows people taking part in the Wey & Arun Canal Trust's annual sponsored walk on Sunday, 5th June, getting a unique view of Compasses Bridge during an open day at the construction site.
Of the appeal, Trust Chairman, Sally Schupke, explained:
"The Trust is launching this new ‘last push' appeal so that we can complete this project by the end of the year.
"We hope that the public will respond generously and help us complete the project in 2016, then our teams can move on to the next restoration project and keep up the momentum of bringing a 23 miles green corridor back to life."
Work started at the bridge site a year ago. Volunteers are currently laying facing bricks on the concrete shell and demolishing the causeway, with jobs to be finished including landscaping and building a public viewing platform.
Officially opened
The bridge will be officially opened on Sunday, 2nd October, as part of celebrations marking the Wey & Arun Canal's bicentenary. Around a mile of waterway will be available to navigation by small boats, towards Tickner's Heath at Dunsfold and going up to the A281 in Alfold.
Donations can be made via the home page of www.weyandarun.co.uk; or by sending a cheque made out to the Wey & Arun Canal Trust to Compasses Appeal, WACT Northern Office, Bridge End, Somerswey, Shalford, Guildford, Surrey GU4 8EQ.
The Trust asks that eligible donors Gift Aid the money they give, which adds 25p from the Government to every £1. Declaration forms available via the website if required.