Latest news with #RiverCam
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Funding plea to rebuild 'unsafe' Cam locks
The group that manages a city waterway say they could go bust if they are unable to find the money to repair two unsafe locks. The Conservators of the River Cam want financial help to carry out full reconstructions of Baits Bite Lock, north of Cambridge at Milton, and Jesus Green Lock in the city centre. Both were closed for repairs more than a year ago, effectively trapping some boaters on the stretch of river between them which is only a few miles long. The Conservators claim that, should the locks fail, the river flow could be reduced to a trickle, impacting boating and punting elsewhere on the Cam. The organisation had started a project to temporarily stabilise Baits Bite Lock island, which was forecast to cost between £1.3m and £1.5m. But Helen Cleary, its chief executive, said a full rebuild was needed at some point on both locks. She said the organisation was limited by its funding model, which came from fees paid by boaters on the Cam. "We have been walking that tightrope in order to get the Baits Bite Lock open as soon as we can and that's where our financial focus is," she said. Ms Cleary has called on other organisations to step in to provide more help. "It's almost unfair that in a wealthy environment such as Cambridge, [boaters] are the people we're solely reliant on for getting an income to resolve these problems," she said. Ian Farrell, a boat owner near Baits Bite Lock, said the situation was "deeply frustrating". He said the Conservators had allowed the locks to fall into disrepair, but sympathised with the lack of funds. "Their funding model is clearly inadequate," he said. "It's not a new problem, that's what's frustrating, why weren't they talking about this ages ago?" Martin Smart, the city council's cabinet member for nature, open spaces and city services, ruled out the authority stepping in to provide money. "They clearly need help, but it's not for us to pick up the tab," he said. He said the council had provided two of its "top officers" to work with the Conservators to come up with a plan. A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said it was aware of the situation. "We are working closely with [the Conservators] who lead on this, as part of a multi-agency group supporting them with this issue to ensure a coordinated and effective response," they said. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Locked-in boaters face summer in limbo Locks closure 'hampers life' for stranded boaters Environment Agency combats 'pollution incident' Conservators of the River Cam
BBC News
27-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Cambridge group pleads for help to repair River Cam locks
The group that manages a city waterway say they could go bust if they are unable to find the money to repair two unsafe Conservators of the River Cam want financial help to carry out full reconstructions of Baits Bite Lock, north of Cambridge at Milton, and Jesus Green Lock in the city were closed for repairs more than a year ago, effectively trapping some boaters on the stretch of river between them which is only a few miles Conservators claim that, should the locks fail, the river flow could be reduced to a trickle, impacting boating and punting elsewhere on the Cam. The organisation had started a project to temporarily stabilise Baits Bite Lock island, which was forecast to cost between £1.3m and £1.5m. But Helen Cleary, its chief executive, said a full rebuild was needed at some point on both said the organisation was limited by its funding model, which came from fees paid by boaters on the Cam."We have been walking that tightrope in order to get the Baits Bite Lock open as soon as we can and that's where our financial focus is," she Cleary has called on other organisations to step in to provide more help."It's almost unfair that in a wealthy environment such as Cambridge, [boaters] are the people we're solely reliant on for getting an income to resolve these problems," she said. 'Pick up the tab' Ian Farrell, a boat owner near Baits Bite Lock, said the situation was "deeply frustrating".He said the Conservators had allowed the locks to fall into disrepair, but sympathised with the lack of funds."Their funding model is clearly inadequate," he said."It's not a new problem, that's what's frustrating, why weren't they talking about this ages ago?" Martin Smart, the city council's cabinet member for nature, open spaces and city services, ruled out the authority stepping in to provide money."They clearly need help, but it's not for us to pick up the tab," he said the council had provided two of its "top officers" to work with the Conservators to come up with a plan.A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said it was aware of the situation."We are working closely with [the Conservators] who lead on this, as part of a multi-agency group supporting them with this issue to ensure a coordinated and effective response," they said. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
The Sun
21-06-2025
- The Sun
Iconic tourist attraction could vanish forever in huge blow to one of UK's most popular destinations
AN ICONIC tourist attraction in one of the UK's most popular cities could soon be extinct. Punting on the charming River Cam in Cambridge could soon be a thing of the past as the organisation managing the time-honoured tradition warns it could collapse within twelve months. 1 CamCon, who act as the Conservators of the River Cam, says it is "in crisis" and may become "unviable and inoperative" without urgent financial intervention, The Times reports. The crisis centres on two lock islands essential for regulating water levels and which are at urgent risk of collapse. Their potential demise could mean the the famed Backs - which offers punters a scenic view of King's College and other landmarks - could soon be rendered "a measly, muddy trickle" which won't be able to support flat-bottomed boats which accommodate tourists. David Goode, CamCon's chairman, has highlighted that both Jesus Lock island and Baits Bite Lock, situated a few miles up the river, face an "imminent danger of collapse". "If it was imminent a year ago it's not going to get better," he added. "On the river stretch along the Backs between Mill Pond and Jesus Lock the water level is held artificially high by the sluice gates at the lock." The historic city heavily relies on the industry for waving in thousands of domestic and international visitors annually. Beyond the punting industry, university rowing clubs will also be affected as the Cam could soon become overgrown with weeds. David continued: "There would be a lot of consequences: the loss of punting, exposing of the foundation of college walls and the devastating impact to the appeal and economy of Cambridge." Provisional financial support to stabilise the river could cost in excess of £1.5million, while permanent aid would require more than £10million per structure. Oxford and Cambridge's chief coaches share how they're feeling ahead of The Boat Race Anne Miller, co-chair of the Cam Valley Forum which advocates for river conservation, called on the colleges to step up their efforts. 'If the river is fetid sludge the tourists aren't going to want to come; the colleges along the river are going to suffer," she said. 'We are a techy city. We've got loads of billionaires, wealthy colleges, wealthy businesses from Microsoft to AstraZeneca. "If everybody puts a chunk in a kitty we can get this sorted." The Sun Online has reached out to Cambridge County Council for comment. How to enjoy a river punt on the Cam Nothing is as quintessentially 'Cambridge' as floating down the River Cam in a wooden punt. It's the best way to view the city's most famous buildings, as many of these are spread along the banks of the river and cannot be seen from the centre of town. Punting is also the only way to see all the stunning bridges which give the city its name, including the Bridge of Sighs and the Mathematical Bridge (which, according to urban legend, was constructed using no nuts or bolts). You can get a chauffeured tour complete with a guide or simply rent your own, but be warned, first-timers are known to occasionally fall in. Don't worry if you're visiting during the colder months — punting firms will equip you with blankets to stay warm and umbrellas in case of bad luck with the weather. Prices vary by season and by company, but guided tours on a shared boat cost around £15-30 per person for adults and roughly £10 for kids. If you fancy a go at pushing the punt yourself, it will cost between £24-£36 per hour.
BBC News
13-06-2025
- BBC News
Rowers in Cambridge targeted by catapults and air rifles
Rowers said they have been targeted by people firing fishing catapults and air rifles while they were on the water. The antisocial behaviour was reported to have taken place on a gravel towpath alongside the River Cam between Chesterton and Horningsea, near coach Ed Parkhouse, 32, said it was "pretty surreal" and mostly occurred outside of school hours. Cambridgeshire Police said they had not received any recent reports of catapults or air rifles being used in the area, but urged people to report all anti-social behaviour. Mr Parkhouse said it was typically groups of children, believed to be between 10 and 15, going up and down the towpath using items like fishing catapults and air rifles as "intimidation objects". "You can't help but feel a bit uneasy at it," he said."It's pretty surreal when you think about it, it's not the normal experience you have of going outside in the public in the UK. "It's representative of a tiny minority but as and when these instances occur people don't really want to be in the vicinity of them."Mr Parkhouse said he had witnessed catapults and air rifles being fired in the vicinity of rowers as well as people shouting profanities. Other coaches also reported mud being thrown at rowers. Cambridgeshire Police said: "We would urge people to report anti-social behaviour to us through the force website or via the telephone on 101."Reporting anti-social behaviour to us means we can build up a picture of what is going on and act accordingly." Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Times
09-06-2025
- Times
Town v gown: safety fears for Cambridge rowers with fair date clash
Since Cambridge University was established in 1209 clashes between locals and students — or town and gown — have periodically reared their head. But although some underlying resentment may remain, violence between the two groups looked to have ended. That was until last summer when one student rower, while putting their boat away, was hit with a 10mm nut fired from a catapult by a group of teenagers sitting across the river. They and the other rowers had to sneak out of a side door of the clubhouse as they continued to be targeted. This and a spate of other incidents, such as youths spitting at boats off bridges and sandwiches being used as missiles, have prompted the chairwoman of Cambridge University Combined Boat Clubs (CUCBC) to write to college captains to express concern about student safety. College boat clubs are being given the option not to race on the Friday and Saturday of Bumps ALAMY In her email, Dr Isabel Nimmo said the next flashpoint could be a weekend this month between the May Bumps, an annual set of college boat club races on the River Cam, and the Midsummer Fair, a centuries-old cultural event rooted in Gypsy and Traveller histories, held on the common opposite many college boathouses. She said she had contacted the police and asked them to have officers patrolling the river to avoid any conflict, adding that colleges were also in contact with the local force. Nimmo said that after concerns were raised with her about the clash she was proposing giving clubs the option of not racing on the Friday and Saturday of Bumps — the two busiest days of Midsummer Fair — for safety reasons. She added that any college that chose not to take part on those days could have their finish positions preserved from any racing on Wednesday and Thursday. In Bumps the finishing position is the starting order for next year's event, prompting some participants to question why any crew should bother competing at all. • The truth about misbehaviour at Cambridge Nimmo admitted in the correspondence that when the Bumps and Midsummer Fair clashed years ago 'things ran smoothly' and there were no problems. The proposal is set to be debated at a captains' meeting before the rowing begins on Wednesday, June 18. Her intervention has prompted 'deep concern' from Friends, Families and Travellers, a leading Gypsy, Roma and Traveller charity set up to combat discrimination. 'It is alarming that, despite no evidence, time and resources are being directed toward scapegoating and demonising Gypsy and Traveller people,' a spokesman said, adding that CUCBC members were promoting 'harmful stereotypes' against the community. One lower boats captain, who did not want to be named, said: 'None of us want Bumps to be cancelled, but we also don't want it to be unsafe either. 'When the fair's on we're usually advised to steer clear of the boathouses entirely so I'm definitely worried about racing on the last two days.' College boat captains are also said to be concerned about 'Boatie Mash', the post-Bumps party that takes place in a Cambridge club that will be shared on the night with locals. Captains are said to have warned rowers against attending and told any who insist not to wear their blazers, ties or college stash [clothing bearing the name of their college]. A Trinity Hall rower said of a previous incident: 'Some young people, probably no older than 15, were leaning over the bridge attempting to spit on us as we passed under. One of them successfully landed their spit all over my legs.' Another university rower said: 'I've definitely had issues with town kids throwing stuff at us. I've been hit with sandwiches and a banana peel.' • The Boat Race 2025 is faster, older and more foreign than ever The Showmen's Guild, which organises the Midsummer Fair, said: 'We have never at any of our meetings had any reports of incidents regarding rowers from any of those involved with the SAG [safety advisory group].' CUCBC said: 'A small number of boat clubs expressed concerns about the timing of May Bumps this year, as it partly overlaps with the Midsummer Fair, another mass spectator event. Cambridge University Combined Boat Clubs have held positive discussions with relevant local bodies and are not concerned that Midsummer Fair will interfere with the smooth running of the event.'
