Questions for the Local Waterway Forum
Michael Cadoux, IWA North Riding
Linton Lock. There is a monitoring regime, but I am concerned that simply measuring
movements in the stonework does not reveal the gravity of the situation. The area is sandy
soil with several problem including flood erosion, moles, and saturation. Parts of the adjacent
ground are slumping muddily into the river, and the downstream tip of the island is all but
gone. It could be that the stonework stays more or less in place until it gives way quite
suddenly, perhaps triggered by the frequent floods which bring huge volumes of water over
the lock area at high speed e.g. scouring out the gully on the island; the twice-raised cottage
flood wall testifies that flooding is worsening, as do the EA's figures showing a long term
trend covering more than a century. The mortar has all but vanished from the wall outside
the downstream island-side gate. The broken island-side sluice must be eroding the ground
behind the chamber wall. The cottage-side chamber wall bulge is most concerning to those
of us who have watched it develop.
We agree that there are signs of movement in the lock chamber which have appeared
since the major works that were carried out in 1999 which stabilised the lock island,
cottage and approach road and included some repairs to the lock. The design of the
major works took account of the ground and flow conditions at the site. At present
we are not unduly concerned about the stability of the chamber but we do need to
establish the amount and rate of movement so that we can manage the lock
effectively and prioritise work if it is required. We are monitoring the visible sections
of the lock chamber and immediate approaches. The latest survey was carried out in
March 2014 and showed a small amount (region of 5mm) of movement in the towpath
(cottage) side lock wall since September 2013. There had been negligible changes in
the profile of the wall in the preceding period of the current survey monitoring which
has been running since May 2010.
The recent movement is in the apparent bulged area that Mr Cadoux refers to and will
be closely monitored for further change. We now have recent data taken after a dry
summer, September 2013, and a wet winter, March 2014 and we will carry out another
detailed survey in September 2014 to see if the change continues, reverses or ceases.
The date of this survey will be altered if prior scheduled visual inspections detect any
change. We refer to an apparent bulged area because cross sections of the lock
chamber drawn using current survey information show that the slightly battered back
profile of the lock is still present at the positions the cross sections are drawn. There
are local deviations from this profile but presently the wall is not leaning into the
chamber.
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In addition to the survey monitoring we are considering our options to reinstate and
level the ground in the lock island close to the head gate. The cause of the problem
needs to be investigated so that we can determine a suitable repair. At the moment
we think it is either
1.
Subsidence related to a problem with the offside ground paddle culvert or
2.
Erosion resulting from turbulent flood water flows between the upstream cut
and the river below the lock island
A site visit with the local engineer can be arranged.
Tony Martin, IWA North Riding
It pains me to criticise the CRT, but in regards to the new boaters' facilities in York - now
provided by the owners (partners) of the Starr in the City restaurant in York (next to Lendal
Bridge) you really did take your eye off the ball. The original planning permission given by
the City of York Council over six years ago, stipulated that all the original facilities should be
provided. A water point, a rubbish depositary and a sluice for chemical toilets. It is the last
that they have really lost the plot with. It is a totally inadequate facility, which is far too close
to the restaurant's kitchens. I have been informed by an officer of the City of York
Council that an improved facility could be provided by the summer and that a Portaloo may
be installed temporarily.
My point is that, although the CRT does not own a facility in York, it still is within the new
charity's remit to make sure that the provision of facilities at such a major boating centre be
adequate at least. You have singly failed to ensure this.
The members of North Riding Branch (IWA) sincerely hope that the CRT does a lot better in
similar circumstances elsewhere. It is still not too late to ensure that the facilities in York are
as originally agreed six years ago.
As a statutory consultee for the planning application we made our views known. We
are as disappointed as our customers that adequate provisions were not made. We
have expressed our disappointment and will continue to do everything we can with
the Council to try and rectify this.
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Ian Moore IWA West Riding
Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme. I think users would like to know what stage the detail
design has got to and how the scheme is likely to affect things like the navigation channel at
Knostrop, weir booms etc and how the scheme will be operated and maintained.
There will be a presentation given at the meeting from our Principal Engineer.
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