BOATERS have been left on the wrong side of access to 130 miles of navigable waterways in the Anglian region due to a failure to remove a build-up of tidal silt.
Navigation authority Middle Level Commissioners is responsible for the Fen waterways between Stanground Lock in Peterborough and Salter’s Lode Lock near Downham Market in Norfolk.
One of three major winter projects delivered by the commissioners on this link route has seen around 280 tonnes of tidal silt removed from the main lock pen at Salter’s Lode Lock. But navigation has had to be suspended, effectively closing the Denver crossing, until tidal river silt has been addressed.
The short estuary crossing normally provides access to the rivers Great Ouse, Lark, Little Ouse, Cam and Wissey. But its closure means the only connection between the Great Ouse and the rest of the system is by the difficult Wash crossing until the proposed Bedford/ Milton Keynes Link is established. This closure has been caused by the build-up of silt on the tidal Great Ouse managed by the Environment Agency.
MLC chief executive Paul Burrows stated: “If we open the gate, there is a risk that the silt built up on the tidal side will slump into the lock. This then creates the risk that we may not be able to fully close the gate which is a tidal flood defence for local communities.
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: “We would like to clarify that we have been and will continue to progress plans for the clearance of the blockages caused by the build-up of silt in the tidal river at Denver Lock and Salter’s Lode within the scope of our available budget.
“We have been subject to delays across all our navigation works programme as a direct result of the weather and subsequent river conditions. We will continue to work with our delivery partners to resolve the situation as soon as we can.”
Updates will be provided on EA’s navigation notices which can be found at: Visit Anglian Waterways: boating, moorings, navigation notices
Impact on boating IWA deputy national chairman Sue O’Hare commented: “We are appalled that boaters are left stranded through no fault of their own, and that businesses are left to count their losses because of the Environment Agency’s inaction.”
Hireboat operator Paula Syred of Fox Narrowboats at March expressed frustration at the lack of communication. She told us: “We don’t know how long it is going to be shut for, we are emailing contacts and getting nowhere.”
All this comes on top of the impacts from the Covid pandemic and a similar situation last year when silt build-up caused boat groundings and the company had to cancel Easter bookings. Although there are no hire boats on the wrong side of the closure, a customer who wishes to relocate to the March marina can’t make the move.
“We have had to reschedule workshop jobs and our slipway is fully booked for the whole of April but the boats can’t get here. It makes planning a nightmare. The Great Ouse is also currently in flood and people who have wintered here with us like to start their exploring and would normally head off along the river.”
It will also impact on anyone who has already bought their Anglian Pass allowing free movement on the rivers Cam, Ouse, Nene and Middle Levels.
On the subject of when – and if – the dredging would take place, Paula added she had tried to get answers from the Environment Agency. “Even a best guesstimate would be better than nothing.”
