5 year Shoal Clearance Programme

[boatone]

The EA have initiated a 5 year programme of shoal clearance on the non-tidal Thames.

You can access the full Briefing Note here: http://www.tmba.org.uk/30-july-2013-shoal-clearance-on-non-tidal-thames/

 

[Jaysay]

Not before time! The has been far too much emphasis on the environment and not enough on maintaining the navigation.
If only they could clear the trees blocking large parts of the Thames above Oxford as well...

 

[prof pat pending]

And the sunk boats

 

[boatone]

And the sunk boats

Where?

 

[prof pat pending]

Between Sandford and Iffley
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=If...near=Iffley,+Oxfordshire,+United+Kingdom&z=18


http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/10578874._Eyesore_boats_are_a_risk_to_the_environment_/

At the begining of May the Seamaster was was still pretty much in tact, by July it was burnt out...as you can see from yesterdays local rag they are still there

 

[boatone]

The more people complain to Owen Paterson and Defra the better. They are the people who control the purse strings and decide on the EA Thames budget which is no longer even enough to supply the basic lock keeper services we would all like.

Shifting those boats, clearing trees etc all costs money and there simply isn't enough to pay for everything so something has to give. And IMHO it is going to get worse.

Oh, and I very much doubt the accuracy of the 36 hours notice report !

 

[boatone]

If only they could clear the trees blocking large parts of the Thames above Oxford as well...

I am aware of a survey of trees requiring work above Oxford but most are on private land and the EA will likely only take action if the landowner will pay up or they are intruding into the fairway which they define as approximately the middle third of the river.

 

[chief1]

"Now in year two, work at the first site (Benson) started earlier this month."

So what the blankety blank did they spend year one doing? Sharpening their pencils?

 

[boatone]

"Now in year two, work at the first site (Benson) started earlier this month."

So what the blankety blank did they spend year one doing? Sharpening their pencils?

Planning and surveying ? Jeez, talk about picky !

 

[chief1]

Planning and surveying ?

For 12 months?! Get real - they only had to read this forum to know where to look!

 

[boatone]

For 12 months?! Get real - they only had to read this forum to know where to look!

I may be more real than you think I am ……….

 

[rosssavage]

B1 is definitely real - I've seen him!

 

[Brayman]

B1 is definitely real - I've seen him!

I don't normally boast about things like that!

 

[Chill]

Noticed last weekend the sunken boats upstream of Boulters just before the Jubilee have been removed!

Do you think if we ask nicely they will remove the shoal at the Boulters restaurant moorings?

 

[boatone]

Do you think if we ask nicely they will remove the shoal at the Boulters restaurant moorings?

I would say no chance of them moving plant specially for that purpose unless the riparian owners are willing to pay, although I get the impression the EA are prepared to consider being "helpful" if they already have plant in the area. I presume you are referring to the shoal just away from the pontoon? The restaurant owners did pay for dredging alongside the pontoon itself a year or two ago.

 

[Pump-Out]

Let's be greatful for small mercies - since "coming to power" the EA have been telling us that the river is self-dredging, which anyone with 11plus geography knows is ********.

Credit where credit is due - the new Habourmaster and Dep have over turned this folly imposed on them by HQ, most of whom could not find the Thames on a map, let alone know how to keep it navigable. Evidently the proof of the pudding will be in the depth, to mix a something. But at least its a step in the right direction.

PO

 

[hartcjhart]

why does the gov have to pay for everything? the country is in the doggy do do and you woryy about a bit of river.
if an area needs clearing dig in you rpockets and arrange it simples