THE sluice mechanism which helps prevent flooding along the Rivers Wissey and Little Ouse in Norfolk and Suffolk is currently not working to full capacity. Levels in the relief channel are remaining higher than usual due to reduced discharge into the tidal river at Tail Sluice.
In a recent briefing, the Environment Agency acknowledged that three of the seven gates which discharge water from the channel into the tidal River Great Ouse have been out of action. It stated that repairs to two of the gates (two and six) could take months to resolve and EA is investigating locations to install high-volume pumps for contingency purposes. These are due to be in place in readiness for next winter. Gate five is switched off and works are ongoing to get this back into auto mode.
Les Etheridge, chairman of Fund Britain’s Waterways, said: “It is most concerning that public safety is put at risk with the Environment Agency being unable to repair these important flood defence assets in a timely fashion. The need to incur the additional cost of the contingency pumps simply makes an inadequate funding position worse. Budget cuts increase risks and don’t save money. Not only will additional costs be incurred but the levelling up, economic, environmental, health and well-being benefits provided by the inland waterways will be reduced. The FBW campaign to ensure that the waterways are properly funded by government is more important than ever.”
Normally all gates would be functioning and allowing discharge in flood mode. They are part of the South Level Flood Alleviation Scheme which consists of a series of sluices that intercept the rivers Lark (Barton Mills); Little Ouse (Hockwold) and Wissey (Stoke Ferry).
