Repair Work to Toll House at Top Lock on the Peak Forest Canal

The Canal & River Trust report that recent repair works have been carried out to the Toll House at Top Lock on the Upper Peak Forest Canal. The repair works include: 

•  repairs to the stair case including stone wall repairs and timber handles
•  the entrance lobby had minor timber repairs
•  new fencing around the canal arm was also installed
•  some redecoration

The estimated cost of the repair works is £5,000

Further Deterioration of Toll House

Since the Toll House was placed on the June SAVE Britain's Heritage 'Building at Risk' register British Waterways (now the Canal & River Trust) have inspected the property with a view to carrying out routine repairs.  Sadly no work has yet been carried out on the Toll House or adjacent cottage.  Both listed buildings have deteriorated further and are suffering from vandalism.  

SAVE Britain's Heritage have been updated on the current situation.

                 Toll House at Marple Wharf  
                         A Grade II listed building

 

Toll House 'Building at Risk' Update

Since the Toll House was added to the Save Britains Heritage 'Building at Risk' register, the Stockport Express has run a feature about it.  See article here.  
It may be entirely coincidental, but BW have recently been seen inspecting the Toll House.  A Society Committee member was told that "repair works would be needed to roofs and chimneys, and outside woodwork (windows, fascias, doors, etc) would be re-painted".  He was also told that "this is all part of the routine maintenance works carried out on BW buildings which are not currently in use". 
                                                                                  

Toll House at Marple Wharf

Toll House in 'Buildings at Risk' Register - Save Britain's Heritage

The Toll House and adjoining cottage at Marple Wharf will feature as an entry in the forthcoming Save Britains Heritage 'Building at Risk' register. SAVE is an influential group which campaigns effectively for endangered historic buildings.
                          (see: http://www.savebritainsheritage.org/information/)   

 Marple Civic Society presented a Business Plan to British Waterways (BW) two years ago to turn the grade ll listed buildings into a visitors centre but to date we have not received any comment or even acknowledgment. The buildings remain empty and boarded up and although they are generally in good condition they are subject to vandalism and risk of damage as has happened recently.

In June this year, when the buildings feature in the 'Buildings at Risk' register, BW will become the Canal and River Trust (CRT) a charity being set up to look after the canals and their heritage and to encourage local people to get involved as volunteers.

Lets hope that the coinciding events in June kick start BW (CRT) into action to think again about the listed buildings and the Marple Wharf Heritage site. 

 

The delightful grade ll listed Toll House and adjacent cottage at Marple Wharf.

Boarded up and prey to vandalism.

Our heritage deserves better.