|
Our two
biggest problems at the Flood Relief Aqueduct.
That big tree stump and the water. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This year the water
levels dropped considerably due to
the lack of rain and the surrounding ditches have been cleared
out by the landowner. |
|
|
|
|
This is
how it usually looks. |
|
|
Water levels have
dropped so low that I was able to photograph
under the arches. The results are very positive.
Everything looks to be in good condition. |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
We have been
concentrating on the Basin,
but the lock has not been neglected.
We have continued with clearing the stone and brickwork. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WRG
Forestry Group came along and took the tops off
of the large trees which are growing out off the west
side of the aqueduct. This has dramatically reduced the
strain on the stone side and will make it very much
easier for us when we need to deal with the roots. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We cleared the canal
bed down as far as the River Churn,
although this year's growth of weeds still needs to be
dealt with (any volunteers?) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Since we started the
Basin has seen the biggest improvement. |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Much of the west wall has been "made
good" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The east wall had
two very large tree stumps
growing out of it which were causing serious damage. |
|
|
These have now been
removed and repairs to the wall
are nearly complete.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We have repositioned
the fence to make
working on the wall easier. |
 |
|
|
|
|
The Mill Leat is
usually a reasonably fast flowing stream,
which our "marine" division has navigated for a few yards.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
But this year it has
run dry! |
 |
|
|
The Leat under the road bridge. |
|
|
Totally dry. |
 |
|
|
|
|
The Junction Bridge
with the Mill Leat in the foreground.
This is how it usually looks.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
But this year the
water has gone. |
 |
|
|
|
|
So we took advantage
and cleared the top
of the junction aqueduct. |
 |
|
|
To our surprise the aqueduct is intact.
Only the side walls and supporting walls are missing.
The base and the arch are sound.
Some water still passes through the arch although
it is heavily silted up. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
This is the Junction
with the Thames & Severn Canal.
It usually has some water in it. |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Junction is
totally dry. |
 |
|
|
|
|
The nearby gravel pit
is so low in water that the overflow
pipe is about 18 inches above the water.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Contractors recently
cleared out the farm ditches
on the surrounding land. |
 |
|
|
|
|
We have relocated some
of our fencing.
|
 |
|
|
A locked gate has now been placed
across the
parking area to deter fly-tipping. |
|
|
|
|
A reminder.
This is what the fields look like when it floods. |
|
|
And these are what
help make the area
so popular with visitors. |
 |
|
|
There is still lots to do.
If you would like to help please
contact us.
Fund raising
Publicity
Negotiating
Research
Organising
As well as the the usual hands
on work.
|
|
