Dredging & maintenance west from the Iron Works
Dredging & maintenance west from the Iron Works
by: Alan J.
Due to limited boat movements and the amount of silt washed into the canal since its restoration; the navigable channel needs to be re-dredged. This will be done using the new double ended dredger and mud barges. The silt will be deposited behind retaining bunds set back from the far side edge of the bank where it can dry and either be left in situ or moved off site. There are three main areas that will be used; opposite the Stroud Brewery, the field east of Ham Mill Lock and the area west of Ham Mill Lock, recently used by Network Rail as access to pile a section of the rail embankment.
Ecological surveys have been undertaken and further are planned. We are working with a specialist ecologist to ensure suitable working methodologies both for the main silt sites and where we know there are specific wildlife issues such as potential water voles, the nesting swans, if they nest again near Ham Mill, and a potential otter holt.
Work has now started with the initial work to mitigate impact on water vole undertaken with the ecologist in attendance and under Natural England licence..
Canal Bank Repairs between Capels Mill and Bowbridge
Between these two locations sections of the towpath embankment and have in parts started to collapse. These sections need sheet piling to stablise them for the safety of users of the towpath and boaters. The sections needing reinforcement have been inspected by and ecologist and appropriate working methodologies agreed.
This work will be undertaken starting in February. As with the work at Stroud Brewery, the initial vegetation clearance and preparation for piling has been undertaken under licence and with the supervision of the ecologist.
Reed Removal
Over the last four years, since Phase 1A restoration was completed, there has been considerable reed growth back across the canal and reducing the canal width for navigation. In some sections it’s now not possible to get a boat through!
We appreciate the reed growth gives valuable habitat for a range of wildlife and are keen to keep this where possible, balancing wildlife value with the needs of those using the canal and to meet health and safety needs.
Again Phase 1A has been surveyed by qualified ecologists and these surveys will continue. Appropriate working methodologies have been developed in discussion with our ecologists to be applicable to the whole canal and to allow the retention where possible of 1.0m to 1.5m of reed growth to one or both sides of the canal.
Following the ecological guidance and Canals & River Trust best practice, it is intended to cut reed back to form the required width of navigable channel with the work, where possible starting in the winter and being maintained through the year to avoid impacting nesting waterfowl and other wildlife using the reed fringe.
Work will start in February, initially at Lodgemore and then at the eastern end to coordinate with the above works.
