 | IWA Peterborough Branch www.iwapeterborough.org.uk | |
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DAVID PHILLIPS updated the situation on the various works that have been carried out and those in hand,
and made other comments of interest to the Committee, as follows :-
(i) King's Dyke
Stanground Lock - investigations are to be carried out to see if some of the leakage around the upstream gates can be stemmed. This work should be completed during the current navigation closure.
(ii) Whittlesey Dyke
The majority of the material dredged from the southern bank between Tumingtree Bridge and Angle Corner (junction with Bevill's Learn), has been incorporated into the embankments. Some minor tidying remains to be dealt and this will be carried out during the spring/summer.
Ashline Lock - investigations are to be carried out to see if some of the leakage around the upstream gates can be stemmed. This work should be completed during the current navigation closure.
Tumingtree Bridge - the majority of the repairs to spalling brickwork were compeleted in November. Some further work to the crown to the bridge arch, which had been inaccessible while navigation was open, is now being carried out. This work will be completed during the current navigation closure.
(iii) Bevill's Leam
The material that was obtained from dredging along a low-lying frontage downstream of Park Farm, as far as the junction with Whittlesey Dyke, will be incorporated into the flood defence embankment after it has dried to a suitable condition. This work will not interfere with navigation.
(iv) Old River Nene
The new Town moorings continue to be well used.
Construction of the several new private landing stages/moorings/fishing platforms that had been requested, at Nene Parade, Whittlesey Road and Wherry Close, March, is still to be carried out. Developers are known to be considering proposals for the land lying adjacent to the River to the west of the Town leading up to the bypass. Planners are requiring any proposals to include, and thus provide land for, an extension of the West End Park to extend the open river frontage.
No further details for a marina off the River Nene, at the junction with Low Corner (March Riverside), Upwell, have been received.
Creek Cottage to Old River Nene Junction (north side) - this reach is to be dredged to obtain material for raising the northern low embankment. Notices will be erected to warn boat skippers of the need for care and they should make a personal assessment of any danger before proceeding to pass.
(v) Ramsey High Lode
Reconstruction of Sutton's moorings and riverside improvements at the Mill Basin still remains in the bands of the landowner and Ramsey Town and Huntingdonshire District Councils. No proposals have yet been received.
Dredging of the lower reach of the Lode, to obtain material for raising the flood defence embankment on the east side towards the junction with the Old River Nene, was completed in October. Navigation was not affected by the work.
(vi) Forty Foot
Horseway Lock - barriers are to be erected alongside the deep lock pen in the interest of safety. Low fencing, which should not interfere with jocking operations, is proposed.
(vii) Twenty Foot River
Clipson's Farm (Stags Holt) to Old River Nene Junction (north side) and Shepperson's Bridge to Old River Nene Junction (south side) - dredging (to obtain material for raising low embankments) commenced last year (2003) but has been delayed by the driver being off ill. The work should not seriously affect navigation but notices will be erected to warn boat skippers of the need for care and they should make a personal assessment of any danger before proceeding to pass.
(viii) Well Creek
A large tree recently had to be removed from the waterway, near the garage at Upwell, after it had been blown down by heavy winds on the 12th January. Bush and tree cutting, along the raised embankment between the Aqueduct and Nordeiph, commenced at the beginning of the year. It is hoped to clear passage along the bank to enable large trees, which might eventually cause bank stability and/or navigation problems, to be better managed. Other trimming back of bushes through Upwell and Outwell will follow.
Salters Lode Lock - the possibility of undertaking a joint scoping study of possible improvements at the lock is in abeyance. The Environment Agency does not have funds available at the moment to explore the possibility of serving the two navigations, perhaps by a single locking facility to the tidal river. It had been hoped that this could have been a potential major high profile structure within the proposed Fenland Waterways Link project.
Marmont Priory Lock - stiff operation of the lower gates is to be investigated during the current navigation closure.
Mullicourt Bridge - restoration of the bridge is in hand. 'Loading' of the original piers demonstrated that it was not possible to increase their load bearing capacity and new piles and piers are therefore to be installed. Tenders have been invited for that work (to be returned by 19th January), following which the original deck, which is currently temporarily stored nearby, will be reinstalled. This work should be completed during the current navigation closure and thus reopened before Easter.
(ix) Main Drain
The batter along the south-east bank downstream of Morton's Bridge has been trimmed and the material shaped into the riverside embankment. This reach is not navigable.
(x) Bank mowing
These operations continued throughout the System until the end of the year, when ground conditions made access too difficult. All banks are in good order to go through the winter to the next season, which will start in April and as the ground dries out.
(xi) Weed Clearance
In answer to a query concerning duckweed, a note was added to the minutes of the last meeting to confirm that herbicides had been found to be largely ineffective in its control. This is thought, by some, to perhaps be, in part, due to the plants own self defence mechanism. To prevent itself becoming waterlogged, the surface of the plant is conical in shape and, therefore, any droplets, be they water or liquid herbicide applications, find it difficult to adhere to the concave shape. It is also thought that, until nitrate levels in our watercourses are significantly reduced, significant weed problems are likely to arise during the summer, although a few good hard winters might help to reduce the later re-growth.
It is only when the duckweed collects and forms thick mats, that our weed-lifting boats can get hold of it and remove it. Although it has little effect on the proliferation of the weed, removal of the dense mats reduces the potential threat of pollution and removes part of the multiplying biomass from the channel.
Our normal weed-cutting/removal operations carried on from the summer after we had dealt with the heavy proliferation of duckweed, particularly in the Forty Foot and Sixteen Foot Rivers. These operations finished at the end of the year. It is proposed to purchase two new weed boats (one dual purpose lifter-and-cutter and one lifter) in time for the next season and retain old ones for use if weed proliferate during the summer.
(i) Boat passages
| Boat Passages 2003 | ||||||||
| Month | Salters Lode Lock | Stanground Lock | ||||||
| In | Out | In | Out | |||||
| January | 0 | (1) | 0 | (1) | 0 | (1) | 0 | (2) |
| February | 0 | (2) | 0 | (0) | 2 | (1) | 3 | (3) |
| March | 2 | (5) | 0 | (13) | 6 | (14) | 5 | (12) |
| April | 51 | (22) | 43 | (20) | 41 | (28) | 70 | (25) |
| May | 55 | (31) | 65 | (42) | 61 | (62) | 56 | (56) |
| June | 80 | (82) | 101 | (112) | 92 | (105) | 86 | (88) |
| July | 101 | (96) | 89 | (95) | 100 | (95) | 106 | (100) |
| August | 121 | (133) | 113 | (94) | 119 | (107) | 116 | (146) |
| September | 65 | (61) | 73 | (69) | 81 | (78) | 62 | (51) |
| October | 17 | (19) | 22 | (20) | 30 | (41) | 11 | (13) |
| November | 2 | (4) | 5 | (6) | 6 | (5) | 1 | (NIL) |
| December | 1 | (NIL) | 1 | (3) | 6 | (5) | 1 | (2) |
| TOTAL | 494 | (456) | 510 | (475) | 544 | (542) | 517 | (498) |
| (Last year's figures in brackets) | ||||||||
| Change from last year | 39 | 35 | 2 | 19 | ||||
| % change | +8.5 | +7.4 | +0.4 | +3.8 | ||||
(ii) Ramsey Hollow Bridge
The Peterborough Branch of IWA has recently advised that it intends to raise this bridge. Publicity and fund raising are to be arranged.
C. Improvements
Middle Level System Strategic Improvements
The Commissioners are considering the long-term requirements of the drainage system to keep the area secure for the next generation. Consultants have been engaged to look into the various aspects that needed addressing and are now working up their initial recommendations in order to present the Board with a plan for undertaldng the necessary works over the next 5 -20 years.
System Computer Model
Bullen Consultants have built a mathematical model of the System, which has been used to assess its current performance and test various potential improvement options. They are now looking into the combined effect of improvements that would produce the most significant advantage to the System. These include up-rating the pumping capacity at St. Germans, attenuating peak flows in highland areas and improving flood embankments.
St. Germans Pumping Station
Atkins Water have advised on the options for improving the pumping facilities at St Germans. Having looked at 7 different options/sites, they are now firming up their proposals for a new station on the preferred site. The various authorities, which include English Heritage and the County Council's industrial archaeology sections, who may have a particular interest in the existing station, are being further consulted on the proposal.
Grant Application
An application for financial assistance, by way of grant-aid, is to be made to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). As our application will be for a major comprehensive scheme, it has to be supported by a strategic approach based on the long-term view. A Strategic Study or Review of the area as a whole and its drainage requirements is, therefore, to be carried out and this job has also been awarded to Bullen Consultants. They submitted the lowest cost offer and are proceeding as quickly as possible so as not to delay progress with proposals for St. Germans.
Hydro Data
No hydrometric data was available for the Meeting but RH would submit details for attachment to and circulation with the minutes (information is attached, hereto).
R Handford reported that a potential drought scenario was currently being experienced as water resources are down for time of year.
R Handford reported on fisheries matters (minuted here later under Angling Matters).
John Adams reported on matters associated with navigation within the Middle Level area (minuted here later under Navigation).
R Handford (Environment Agency) reported that, three fish surveys had been carried out last year, on the :-
Twenty Foot, for which a report is in the process of being prepared.
Old Bedford, for which a report is available, as required.
River Delph, for which a report is in the process of being prepared.
It is anticipated that next year's surveys will be carried out on the Old Bedford and Twenty Foot, starting in April, to continue the previous monitoring. The Agency's survey team had experienced problems when 'fishing' on the Twenty Foot Drain this year, due to weed, etc., and so intend to start earlier next year (June) before weed growths arrive. They hope to survey the Twenty Foot annually and the remainder in a 5-year cycle at certain sites; the next general survey work, therefore, will be carried out in 2006. New survey system, hydro acoustics, may be used on the Main Drain.
The Old Bedford was re-stocked at Welney last November with 5,000 roach, bream and tench. They have no plans to re-stock the Old Bedford (Welney) with carp. Dredging is continuing following completion of 5km downstream of Welney in 2003, and proceeding from the 'pylons' to Old Bedford Sluice (4km).
One of the Agency's new Liaison Groups is also to include a permanent fisheries group, following re-organisation of the Area Environment Group. Angling Consultatives are being set up in the Anglian Region by the NAFAC. The Lower Ouse and Fenland Angling Consultative is being formed hopefully with the interest of local clubs
J WARREN (Whittlesey Angling Club) reported that fishing results had been very good. Fishing matches had produced good quality and quantity of fish. The National Pike Championship in October 2003 had excellent results and was very successful. Fishing was patchy in some areas, although Cock Bank had fished quite well during the winter.
S Gill (March & District Angling) also reported that generally catches were fine. The Twenty Foot in particular had been producing good catches of pike and roach. The possibility of MLC incorporating fishing platforms with the current work being carried out at Shepperson's Bridge and the Old Nene, was raised. This could be investigated if the March Club was able to fund the work and SG was to further look into grants, etc.
Colin Clare (Fenland Association of Anglers) advised that contributions for fishing platforms/berms may be available from the EA.
John Adams (Environment Agency) reported on matters associated with navigation within the Middle
Level area.
Salters Lode - MLC and EA had been hoping to promote a scoping study of the two adjacent navigation structures to see if there might be a single joint solution. Because of the high prices received from consultants, the EA have been unable to do so this year (2003/4). It had also been hoped that the Study might have been linked to the Fens Waterways Link Project but no finance was available from that source as most of its current funding is coming from the Lincoinshire area, which has little particular interest in Salters Lode. Funds could not be attracted from EEDA either but the EA will, hopefully, find funds in next year's budget. PS explained that FDC had been exploring options for funding from Peterborough area sources. A bid had been submitted, which they will follow-up and keep John Adams informed of any success.
Fens Waterways Link (Project) - an implementation plan had been completed by consultants and the final report was awaited. The project had been estimated at £100- 150 million spend between Boston-Earith, with £13½m needed for work in the Middle Level area, where initially the project envisages improvements to the existing Link and later improving it further. The latter improvements might include uprating the whole Link through the Middle Level area, re-building locks at Stanground and Salters Lode, increasing headroom at low bridges, etc. It would also require further studies into tidal crossings, water resources and funding, all of which are to be discussed further in due course. Promotion of scheme, funding sources and phasing are to be the next important matters to be addressed. The EA wished to raise the profile of the project, take lead in its promotion and introduce it into development plans to attract funding, etc.
Alistair Chambers (IWA) reported that, investigations were in hand to raise the Ramsey Hollow Bridge. Various cruises were planned for the year including an Easter cruise to Holme.
Favourable reports had been received in respect of the March moorings and the improved condition of Whittlesey Dyke, following the recent dredging works.
The IWA are now 99% happy with draft byelaws and hope to see them issued as soon as possible.
C Fox (Cambs.Marine Industries) suggested that some improvement would be required at Salters Lode within the next 2/3 years as the speed of door movement was restricting boat passages and, as the number increased, a bottle neck would otherwise arise.
P Millward (HDC) updated the Committee on the Ramsey Barge Dock. The landowner, David Sutton, has been asked to sign an agreement with the Huntingdonshire District Council, to accept/keep open the deck, following which money would be made available in 2004/5 to re-build the mooring.
P Stocks (FDC) reported that the Riverside Regeneration Group (sub-group of the March Town Regeneration Partnership) had decided to continue as a sub-group to monitor and promote works on the river frontage, etc. Network Rail had made a contribution, as a consequence of the ongoing railhead development, of £50k, which is to be applied to works for extension to West End Park.
As part of the Fens Waterways Link, FDC hopes that it will be possible to link Chatteris into the scheme earlier than originally envisaged.
P Cipriano (Fens Tourism), reported on the recent issue of the Fens Waterways Link brochure, copies of which were distributed.
23rd April and 8th October 2004.
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