Ouse News - Summer 2015

The Inland Waterways Association

Ouse News - Summer 2015 The Great Ouse Branch Newsletter covering the Great Ouse and tributaries

Contents: Branch Committee

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ChairmanÂ’s Corner

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Electrifying the Ouse p6 RSPB Lakenheath

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River Cam Update

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Welches Dam

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Ousefest

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Book Review

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River News from EA p18

Rush hour at St Neots Lock Image courtesy of the Environment Agency Waterways Team

Campaigning for the conservation, use, maintenance, restoration and development of the Inland Waterways.

Branch News

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WRG Appeal

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The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Inland Waterways Association or of the Great Ouse Branch. They are, however, published as being of interest to our members and readers.

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Great Ouse Branch Committee: Chairman: Keith Alderton Tel : 01366 727236 email:keith.alderton@waterways.org.uk

Membership Officer: Peter Webb Tel 01353 658581 email:peter.webb@waterways.org.uk

Secretary: John Hodgson Tel : 01234 344884 email:john.hodgson@waterways.org.uk

Member: Stephen Foote Tel 01763 838936 email:stephen.foote@waterways.org.uk

Treasurer: Enid Hodgson Tel : 01234 344884 email:enid.hodgson@waterways.org.uk

Member: Derek Bradley Tel 01353 661601 email:derek.bradley@waterways.org.uk

Ouse News Editor: Carole Alderton Tel : 01366 727236 email:carole.alderton@waterways.org.uk

Member: Gail Mead Tel 01359 232603 email:gail.mead@waterways.org.uk

Sales Officer: David Anderson Tel : 01480 477227 email:david.anderson@waterways.org.uk

We are a small, friendly group and would welcome another committee member to help us organise meetings and events. Please contact the editor.

(Authorised to examine all private boats and in addition, residential boats provided they are fitted with a gas bubble tester) Additional contact : Ely Boat Chandlers 01353 663095

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ChairmanÂ’s Corner

The start of the sunny spring weather certainly got many boaters out and about early this year. We managed a few days away at Easter, but must confess to having to light our solid fuel stove to keep the cold wind at bay.

The Grand Union around our base at Blisworth was certainly very busy with many private and hire-boats on the move.

However, locally there seemed to be a high proportion of GRP cruisers still out of the water long after Easter. We subsequently enjoyed a sometimes sunny, but often wet and windy trip up the Leicester Section and onto the Welford Arm. Both of these waterways are most attractive and well worth visiting.

The mooring situation at Ely is gradually getting nearer to being resolved, with much hard work being carried out by the staff at East Cambs District Council. The latest progress report indicates that the new enforcement regime will not now be in place until July at the earliest. I do hope so, as I have lost count of the number of people who have said to me that, due to the current situation, they no longer try to take their boats to Ely. This not only stops their enjoyment of the river, but also results in a loss of trade for many local businesses. Think of the poor chandlery owners!

The major issue, nationally, remains the possible transfer of the navigations currently controlled by the Environment Agency to the Canal & River Trust.

The IWA centrally continue to lobby hard for the transfer to happen, but as always there is the question of money. When the canal network was transferred from the auspices of British Waterways to the CRT it came with a dowry of payments for at least 10 years, plus a big fat property portfolio.

The latter has been very successfully exploited by the CRT and will provide a legacy of income for many years to come. Sadly, there will be no such legacy from the EA as, in the main, they do not own either the river bank or the adjoining land. The CRT is understandably not willing to take on our rivers without a dependable income stream, rather than the vagaries of an annual DEFRA grant.

Ouse News Page 5 I hope that the new government will eventually find a way to provide adequate finance to enact the change – but do not hold your breath! At least we have the comfort of knowing that the infrastructure of our navigations is generally in a much better state of repair than on many canals.

Your committee has once again strived to put together a varied autumn programme of meetings and activities, including an evening visit in November to see the thousands of Whooper and Berwick swans fly into Welney Wetland Centre at dusk. It is quite a spectacle to observe and an event that should not be missed.

Have a great cruising season.

Keith Alderton

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Ouse News Page 8 Follow the River!

In conservation circles, the story of RSPB Lakenheath Fen has almost become legend. More or less 20 years to the day (give or take a couple of months), the RSPB purchased a square mile of arable farmland and poplar woods. The society s vision was to transform the area into a wetland that would become a home for bitterns in the future. Well, it s now the future so to speak, and in 2014 the reserve was home to seven booming male bitterns and four successful nests. This is a wonderful achievement considering that back in 1997 there were only 11 male bitterns in Britain.

Fast forward 17 years, and there were over 140 booming males in Britain last year.

While the reserve was being created, our nearest bitterns were at the National Trust s Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve, which is around 15 miles from the reserve. So how on earth did they find their way here?

The first thing to consider is that we only see these secretive members of the heron family during the day, and generally any flights we see are very short.

However, they must occasionally take long flights otherwise they would never find any new areas of reedbed to call home. The answer to this conundrum is that they only move long distances at night, when most of us are tucked up in bed!

I realise that this still doesn t answer the question though. This is where rivers come in. The theory goes that at the end of the breeding season, bitterns that are looking for new nesting sites fly along river courses at night looking for new homes.

Now that this story is beginning to come together, we can now apply it specifically to RSPB Lakenheath Fen. Conveniently, the current northern boundary of the reserve is the river Little Ouse, which rises in the Waveney Valley before meeting the river Great Ouse at Brandon Creek, just north east of Ely.

Ouse News Page 9 Therefore, the way that bitterns found their way here was by flying along the river from reedbeds like Wicken Fen or the Norfolk Broads until they found RSPB Lakenheath Fen, a perfect home for them!

The first sighting of one of these elusive birds on the reserve was in January 2002 and we heard our first booming male in May 2006. They first nested in 2009, when there were four booming males and four successful nests. (The rest, as they say, is history!)

This year, things are gearing up nicely. We currently have up to six booming males on the reserve and if you come and visit at the moment, you have a good chance of hearing one. The best times of day to come and listen are early in the morning and in the evening.

I hope this article has inspired you to come and listen and look for bitterns here at RSPB Lakenheath Fen. We hope to see you soon!

David White Visitor Experience Officer RSPB Lakenheath Fen (Photos: Jim Palfry)

Ouse News Page 10 River Cam Update I m one year into the job as River Manager and finally beginning to find my feet. We have had an extremely busy period at the end of the financial year with our registration renewals. Apologies to anyone still waiting for their licence disc (we had delays at the printers), please be reassured it will be with you soon. If you are concerned do give us a call.

I have also been in the news a little, with the urban myth of Deadly Cam Swans rearing its head again. I ve had one reported incident involving a swan in 6 months which is well below average, so I think this story is one based on little more than idle imaginings keeps us on our toes though!

River Crew We have had a busy time working out on the river these past few months.

We ve started major bank repairs along the Cam near to the A14 bridge and these will be continuing throughout the year. We also spent some time clearing pennywort on the upper river. Pennywort is an invasive species which can choke watercourses if left unchecked. We re hoping to get on top of this and the Environment Agency has also offered to help by supplying us with spraying treatments. Also, we have been pulling out our usual collection of bikes, trolleys and other random items that seem to find their way into the river!

Visiting the Cam I d like to clarify what the arrangements are this year for visiting the Cam. We have renegotiated our agreement with the Environment Agency, so that if you buy a Cam Premium at the time of renewal you can get this for only 3% of your annual licence fee (down from 5% last year). We are also able to offer a visitor licence to gold licence holders for 3%. You can buy this from us directly online. We regularly monitor the visitor moorings in Cambridge and they generally have space in all but the busiest periods (and even then double mooring is possible in town). So it would be great to see more people visiting us this year.

Ouse News Page 11 We would like to get to the point where the Cam is included as part of an Environment Agency licence for free and will be continuing negotiations this year to try to reach that point it all comes down to finances though.

Cam Clean-Up We had a great CleanUp this year with close to 200 volunteers involved in litter picking and hauling items out of the Cam. The event was opened by the mayor and came with a free BBQ at the Fort St George pub. Our best find was a bag full of jewellery. Thanks to the Police, they traced this back to its owner who had been burgled recently. The River looks so much better thanks to everyone s efforts and we hope to repeat this event again, probably in September.

New Office We have received planning permission to build our new office on our river frontage here at Clayhithe. This is part of our programme to increase our income though renting out our old office at Baits Bite and also to invest some of our reserves in property for the future. We are currently out to tender and hope to begin construction soon.

Upcoming events and works on the Cam Please note that for all events the river is still navigable and, where possible, we try to publish contact numbers of event organisers to help arrange passage.

Tuesday 21 Friday 24 July Town Bumps

Jed Ramsey River Manager Conservators of the River Cam

Ouse News Page 12 Restoration of Welches Dam and the Forty Foot navigation: Some background and initial progress Welches Dam was originally constructed by Cornelius Vermuyden in 1651 as part of his drainage system, along with the Forty Foot (or Vermuydens Drain). It was last repaired by the National Rivers Authority and re-opened in March 1991, but has been effectively closed since mid 2006. The Environment Agency (EA) installed a piled temporary coffer dam at the entrance to Welches Dam ostensibly to prevent leakage but effectively preventing passage. The piling was never capable of preventing even the slightest leakage, as there is a gap of approximately a metre in the piling which, despite the Agency s insistence, will inevitably pass water!

However, the navigation from the Welches Dam junction with the Old Bedford River westwards as far as Horseway Lock is unusable, as there is barely a bucketful of water in the entire length unless there has been heavy rain! The bed and sides of the drain have become porous and will only hold water for a very short period of time. The reason that there is no water from the Old Bedford River is that it is held back, not by the Agency s piling but by the, clearly still operable, lock gates! At present if it were permanently opened to a water supply from the Old Bedford River it would simply leach into the surrounding fields, which would be unacceptable to the farmers.

There has been much discussion about the EA having the statutory duty to maintain it, (which they have now accepted) without them and others having recourse to costly legal remedy. Alas, the cost to the EA to return the waterway to full use would be prohibitive, but neither can it be abandoned.

A group has been formed from members of the East Anglian Waterways Association (EAWA) and the IWA Peterborough Branch (it is in their catchment area) with support from the Great Ouse Branch. This is still in its infancy, but much work has been already undertaken on the feasibility of restoring this historical part of the waterway to full use.

Ouse News Page 13 The Horseway Lock and the Forty Foot Drain continuing further westwards are managed by the Middle Level Commissioners (MLC) and are in use. At present, there are a number of solutions to the leakage problem being considered; all being some form of liner along the full length of the section between the two locks. A balance has to be struck between cost and ease of handling and installation. Several options are currently being evaluated, including liners capable of self-sealing in the event of damage. A huge technical step change from the puddling clay employed by the original navigators! A number of options will be considered regarding installation of the selected material using mechanical plant and volunteers which, hopefully, will include the Waterways Recovery Group (WRG) from the IWA, a highly professional voluntary group! (See page 27) Evaluation will be assisted by an upcoming site visit to the Montgomery Canal, whose restoration volunteers are currently undertaking a similar project. After the visit we will have a clearer view of the advantages and limitations of their chosen materials and methods which will assist our own evaluation. There will be more information on the results of that later. This, of course, will be a medium term project but it is hoped that the waterway will be eventually restored to its former 17th century (and later) glory using 21st century technology. Further notes on this will follow as the project John Hodgson progresses.

Ousefest is a fortnight of events celebrating the Ouse Washes landscape,

heritage and communities; with events happening all over the area, from St Ives to Downham Market between July 20th and August 2nd. It is part of a larger Heritage Lottery funded project to promote the whole Ouse Washes area. For those out and about by boat over the fortnight, there are several riverside events where you could tie up nearby and come and join in.

On Saturday 25th July at St Ives, why not moor up at the St Ives Old Riverport Discovery Day? Hosted by St Ives Town Team, in association with several local community groups, discover the story of the Great Ouse, its impact on St Ives as an important river port and the new developments taking place.

Ouse News Page 14 There will be children s activities, craft sessions, talks, exhibitions, poetry, music and film - free activities for all ages from 10am-10pm. See the full programme at: www.theoldriverportstives.co.uk.

At Prickwillow, on the River Lark, moor up next to the Pumping Engine Museum; they will be running their fascinating engines as part of their Family Fun Day on Sunday 26th July from 11am-4:30pm. There will be plenty of games and activities. A BBQ lunch and sandwiches will be available for purchase.

On Tuesday July 28th, from 10am - 4pm, the Environment Agency will be hosting an event at Denver Sluice. This will be a great family day out, with interesting displays about the importance of the Denver Sluice Complex and how it works, local wildlife, the history of eels in the Fens, as well as a re-enactment of the 1870 Flat Earth Trials along the New Bedford River from the Cambridge Archaeological Unit; together with a chance to try boating with the West Norfolk Rowing Club, or take a trip on the River Inspector s boat. The Jenyn s Arms will be open all day, and there are plenty of EA moorings at Denver. On the three days leading up to the Denver event, there will also be opportunities to join tours of the Denver Complex.

Places are limited so please reserve yours by contacting Sara Marshall at sara.marshall@cambsacre.org.uk or 01353 86502.

If you moor up in Ely during Ouse Fest, there s plenty happening there too.

The Stained Glass Museum at Ely Cathedral is holding a Fen Landscapes in Glass exhibition, and Toppings Bookshop is hosting a Writing The Fens literary evening with local authors on Wednesday 22nd July at 7:10pm in St Peter s Church, Broad Street. Tickets are £6/7 and can be purchased via Toppings bookshop (01353 645005).

For the full programme of events, visit www.ousewashes.org.uk/ousefest.

Amy Tillson Marketing and Events Intern, Ouse Washes Landscape Partnership

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Book Review

by Stephen Foote

Narrow Margins When her business collapsed in the wake of the demise of the Rover Group, Marie Browne and her husband were left with no alternative but to downsize from an executive home in the Midlands to a very tired former hotel narrowboat purchased in Braunston and limped to the river Great Ouse. This book is the tale of that journey and their live-aboard life thereafter.

It is an amusing tale and certainly made me smile; but as Spike Milligan said of his war memoirs I ve jazzed them up a bit . So has Ms. Browne with her story at least I hope she has, because if not, it is hard to understand how she and her husband survived beyond the entrance of Braunston Marina. At times their collective dopeyness makes you want to leap into the pages, grab them by the scruffs of their necks and shake some common sense into them.

So this is how I think the reader should take Narrow Margins light-heartedly and as a recollection that sets out to entertain rather than to be taken seriously. Of especial fascination is the fact that the family based themselves on the Great Ouse, at Popes Corner Marina. You may well recognise people and places you know, albeit disguised of course, and this adds some intrigue.

Indeed, my wife and I kept our narrowboat at Popes Corner during the period the Brownes were there, although I don t recall ever meeting them; we too were at the IWA 2007 National Festival in St.Ives, slithering around in the mud; we too were on the river the weekend of the hottest day of the year in July 2006. At times I almost felt part of the story a strange experience!

Ouse News Page 16 It is a shame that the book has not been that well proof-read and is rather oversupplied with spelling errors. At one point the words Banbury and Daventry have become transposed, causing me much confusion and a quick delve into the map-book to see how on earth the Brownes had managed to execute a 180° turn like that.

All good fun though and Marie Browne has penned a sequel to Narrow Margins which I spied on my brother s bookshelf. I am looking forward to reading that next.

Thanks to Malcolm and Suzy (NB Lucy Charlotte) for lending me Narrow Margins and to my brother Andy (NB Isis) who is going to lend me the sequel though I haven t told him yet Narrow Margins by Marie Browne Accent Press Ltd., 2009 ISBN 9781 9070 16004 Wildlife spotted on the water last summer: Near Stoke-on-Trent Photo: Graham Riley

On the Wissey Photo: Fred Ray

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River News from the Environment Agency: Canoe Portage Improvements on the River Cam at Bottisham Lock

The Environment Agency Waterways and Field Operations Teams recently completed canoe access improvements at Bottisham Lock on the River Cam in May. These works were carried out in conjunction with the Anglian Waterways Group Canoe England and follow suggestions from them to make canoe portage at this location easier and safer.

The works were relatively low cost and involved introducing additional low level fendering on the upstream landing stage (see photo) to prevent canoes and other portable craft from slipping beneath the deck staging whilst people were exiting and entering their craft. This should also make it easier and safer to lift your craft out of the water without it snagging on the side of the landing stage.

At the same time we also improved the portage route by removing a dog leg and introducing a new gate (see photo) so that access can be made directly across the footpath giving those carrying small portable craft a straight, direct route between the upstream and downstream sides of Bottisham Lock. New signage will be installed to way mark the new route and make it clear where canoeists should port around the lock.

We hope these improvements are a welcome addition to this well used lock on the River Cam and make porting around the site easier in the future for our portable craft river users.

ContÂ’d on page 20

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Branch News Winter Meetings

are at 8 pm on Thursday evenings at the Cole s Road

Community Centre, Milton (North Cambridge) CB24 6BL.

Members & Visitors welcome.

T HURSDAY 22 ND O CTOBER

2015

Our October meeting will be an illustrated talk by Richard Thomas on The Highland Canals .

W EDNESDAY 18 TH N OV

2015

Proposed visit to WWT (Welney Wetland Centre) to see the Swan Feed, plus Sausage & Mash Supper.

More details to follow.

T HURSDAY 26

TH

N OV

2015

Our November meeting will be an illustrated talk by RCR (River Canal Rescue).

T HURSDAY 25 TH F EBRUARY

2016

Our February meeting will be an illustrated talk by Jed Ramsey, River Manager, Conservators of the River Cam.

T HURSAY 24 TH M ARCH

2016

Our March meeting will be our AGM and update from the River Managers of the Environment Agency.

We welcome the following new members to the branch. We hope you will introduce yourselves to us when coming to an event or meeting: David & Margaret Finnigan, Gamlingay, Bedfordshire Leon Meredith, Bedford Christopher Morgan, St Ives Trevor & Kerry Bentley, Bar Hill, Cambridge Kate Holbrook, Cambridge Simon & Frances Nicholson , Swineshead, Bedford Simon Malins & Family, Balsham, Cambridge Judy Moon, West Dereham, King s Lynn, Norfolk Steve Mungovan, Hinxton, Saffron Walden, Essex John & Carole Greenwood, Bedford Members who have moved to the branch: Stephen & J Prentice, Priory Marina, Bedford

Ouse News Page 20 St Ives Lock Guillotine Gate Operation For those of you who have used St Ives Lock in recent months, you may have noticed an issue with the guillotine gate operation; in that the gate is delaying on opening and, in some instances, is requiring to be lowered again before being raised once more, incurring the time delay again even though the lock chamber has emptied. Unfortunately, this is resulting in delays at the lock and whilst, at present, this is an inconvenience, during the busier summer months the delays have the potential to grow as more boaters queue to use the lock.

Firstly, the Environment Agency apologises for any inconvenience this has caused to our customers to date. It would appear a perception has developed that no action is being taken in relation to this issue; so, secondly, we would like to explain what is happening and provide some reassurance that the matter is being looked at and treated with urgency.

Initially the lock was refurbished back in 2012 and a significant amount of investment was spent on the guillotine gate (see photo). Initially for a couple of years no issues were detected; however within the last few months problems have been reported with the electric operation of the guillotine gate. A number of visits to site have been made by technicians and adjustments made to the gate operation but, unfortunately, to no avail.

Earlier this year, in March, we carried out a drain down inspection of the lock. This usually focuses on the structure that normally lays below the waterline but, on this occasion, we also took the opportunity to investigate the issues relating to the guillotine gate.

Ouse News Page 21 It was suspected that a coupling on the high level drive shaft of the gate (see photo) may have been a possible cause of the issue as there was movement and slippage in the coupling when in use. At the time of the inspection the coupling was stripped down and some component parts replaced; although it was found that the coupling was performing as it should do, hence no further action was taken at the time.

Whilst investigations continue, we are proceeding on the grounds that a design issue may be the cause. As such, a new design is required and this will take some time to develop. To change the design and implement anything new is also very likely to result in a lock closure over a number of days to achieve this, potentially involving scaffolding off of the guillotine gate or strapping the gate and counter weight.

We are extremely careful to avoid this type of closure during the busy boating season, usually deferring any planned maintenance activity to over the winter period unless deemed as an emergency.

Unfortunately, whilst conducting a routine maintenance visit and inspection at St Ives Lock on Thursday 4th June 2015 we had to close the structure and issue an emergency closure notice to alert river users to the fact that they would be unable to pass.

Of course we realise this is far from ideal and apologise for the impact this has on navigation activity and understand the frustration that this can cause.

Where possible we avoid any planned maintenance works that could give rise to closures throughout the main boating season from Easter to the end of October.

Ouse News Page 22 However, there will be occasions where closures during the main season are unavoidable. These will usually be emergency closures caused by a breakdown or mechanical failure, although other incidents can and do occur. Primarily a navigation closure will be because of health and safety concerns. Your wellbeing is our top priority and we donÂ’t want to expose any of our staff or customers to any danger or potential harm. For this reason we will close the structure until we can ascertain what risk to your safety may be involved.

With lock structures, any issues with the vertical lifting gates could compromise the integrity of the gate and, as lock passage involves our customers passing directly under these gates, we have to be absolutely sure that there is no risk of the gate failing whilst in use. The consequences of which could be catastrophic, as these gates and component parts can weigh upwards of thirty tonnes.

In the interim, we have investigated the cause of the problem. This has helped us determine the level of health and safety risk that the fault poses.

The investigation has helped us to determine that the gate can continue to be used, but we are manually operating the gate to allow boats to pass through the lock with a staff operative present.

Whilst a long term solution is sought to this issue, we will continue to operate the lock on a restricted basis, between the hours of 10:00 to 16:00 every day. Environment Agency staff will be present on site and provide assisted lock passage until such time that permanent repairs can be undertaken. Once the details of these repairs are established we will provide information as far in advance as is possible, as it is likely the work may involve a closure for a short period of time. We will try to undertake these emergency repairs in a way that causes minimal disruption. However, we realise that inconvenience canÂ’t be avoided altogether where a lock closure is involved. We will provide updates when they become available via our usual navigation notices, e-mail and our twitter feed: @PaulSeparovicEA

Ouse News Page 23 Keeping a level head - June 2015 The issue of water level management is a delicate balancing act that requires a level head and a high level of engagement with a wide range of Environment Agency teams and other third parties and stakeholders. Whilst an exact level on a river can never be guaranteed, we do work towards maintaining a stable retained level as far as is reasonably practicable and possible, given all of the interests and variables that feed into determining the river level.

We have to take into consideration such factors as the weather causing flooding, or drought conditions, the maintenance and operation of water control structures and the removal of illegal structures.

We also have to control water abstraction for both small scale agricultural needs and to large water companies topping up municipal supply reservoirs.

Water levels also affect milling rights, hydropower schemes, fish spawning, nesting birds, and leisure activities such as boating, fishing and walking, etc.

Water levels can differ and, in the event of a boat running aground or striking a submerged object, “dredging” is one of the most common measures quoted by river users; however river levels may also be a consideration. As a river level is never guaranteed we recommend that river users moor their craft carefully, allowing sufficient play in their lines and tethers to accommodate varying water levels.

We will endeavour to inform river users if we are aware of issues affecting river levels via our usual navigation notices and River Advice for Boaters.

However, if you encounter problems whilst using the river please report them - you can do this any time by calling 0800 80 70 60.

Over the last couple of seasons a number of sections of the river have been affected by varying levels, here is an update on three we are aware of.

Ouse News Page 24 The Ely Ouse and Tributaries affected by incident at Ten Mile Bank: This incident initially occurred back in March 2015 where, due to a bank slip on the Ely Ouse at Ten Mile, we had to lower levels in the Ely Ouse, affecting mainly the tributaries, including the upper reaches of the Rivers Wissey, Lark, Little Ouse and Old West River with low levels. Levels were subsequently returned to near normal; but the risk has remained that should conditions of the bank failure suddenly change, we may have to reduce them significantly and quickly.

We (Environment Agency) have now completed our investigations into the river bank failure and subsequent movement of the road and a solution for permanent repairs has been agreed with Norfolk County Council and their Highways Department. Work is anticipated to start by the end of June and last for around 12 weeks; completing by the end of September 2015, before the winter season. The road closure will be maintained by our contractor, Jackson Hyder, and will remain in place until the works are complete.

Jackson Hyder is undertaking the necessary planning work to enable construction to commence.

We will install approximately 350 metres of steel sheet piling along the river bank, between the edge of the road and the landward crest of the embankment, to stabilise the bank and we will repair and make good the road and river bank. The proposed works shouldnÂ’t impact on navigation, although there is currently an Advisory Navigation Notice in force.

Middle Bedford Ouse Navigation: Offord to St Ives - We are working with our partners in this area, including Anglian Water Services (AWS).

During periods of naturally low flows we have been asking them to voluntarily reduce their abstraction at Offord in order to protect and increase the flow in the river. This was in place, and worked well, in the latter part of last summer, alleviating issues around the Huntingdon area where moored boats were experiencing fluctuating river levels. We will monitor the situation throughout this summer and continue to work with partners on how best to maintain and preserve river levels and flows during drier periods.

Ouse News Page 25 Castle Mills Sluice and navigation from Cardington Lock (Bedford Ouse) – Incidents involving the failure of some of the sluice gates at Castle Mills has meant undertaking maintenance work.

For a period we have received reports of lower than normal river levels between Cardington Lock

and Castle Mills Lock. The latest event is that the gear box chain on gate number 3 of Castle Mills Sluice recently snapped and prevented the gate from moving. The gate has been dammed off upstream to remove the pressure of water on the gate until a repair can be completed. The lifting ropes on gate 3 failed in 2014. The ropes and turnbuckles were subsequently replaced. Investigations are ongoing to determine if the replacement works resulted in any change in the operation of the sluice and to determine if any further works are needed. The proposal is to implement modifications, if any, at the time the gearbox chains are replaced. Work is expected to be completed by the end of summer 2015.

Should you wish to discuss any of the above or have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact our Asset Performance Team: Greg Murphy Office: 01480 483674 Mobile: 07721 048574 Email: greg.murphy@environment-agency.gov.uk Neil Stittle Office: 01480 483601 Mobile: 07733 003341 Email: neil.stittle@environment-agency.gov.uk Office: Heron House, Prickwillow Road, Ely, Cambs, CB7 4TX

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The Inland Waterways Association is a non-profit distributing company limited by guarantee.

Registered in England No 612245.

Registered as a charity No 212342. Registered Office: Island House, Moor Rd, Chesham, HP5 1WA. Phone No 01494 783453.