534l4rk
Well-Known Member
From: Quayle, Angela [mailto:angela.quayle@environment-agency.gov.uk]
Sent: 19 March 2012
The natural behaviour of all rivers results in the constant movement of material downstream and settlement of this material – mainly silt, sands and gravels – in areas where flows are less strong, often where the river bends or widens.
This creates features know as ‘shoals’, humps of deposited material which, if left unattended, will continuously increase in size and eventually impede navigation.
We have identified 50 shoals which could need attention at some point over the next five years to ensure they do not cause problems for boaters, either in the fairway, or in the approaches to mooring sites that we own.
Removing or reducing the size of these shoals will be done by desilting or dredging as appropriate.
We have identified 10 shoals that require immediate attention and work on the first of these (at Whitchurch) began on 12 March. Work on all 10 is expected to be completed before the end of May. Work at each site is expected to take 2-3 days. There will be no restrictions to navigation.
The sites are listed below:
Oxfordshire
St John’s Lock - charging point moorings, downstream of lock
Buscot – in river, upstream and downstream of lock
Swinford – in river, upstream of Eynsham lock
Kings lock – mooring points, downstream of lock
Godstow – in river, upstream of lock
Abingdon – in river downstream of lock
Clifton Lock – weir stream moorings, downstream of lock
Days Lock – weir stream moorings, downstream of lock
Whitchurch Lock – in river, downstream of lock
Berkshire
Hurley Lock – lock island moorings, upstream of lock
The timetable for the work is:
March
April
Works begins at
Whitchurch
12
Days
28
Clifton
4
Hurley
10
Abingdon
12
St Johns
12
Buscot
14
Swinford
17
Kings
20
Godstow
23
Additional shoal reduction/removal works will be carried out during 2012/13 and we are currently identifying those that need attention most urgently.
Work at other sites in future years will be determined on a case-by-case and needs-must basis, and is dependent on funding levels and other operational priorities at the time.
Sent: 19 March 2012
The natural behaviour of all rivers results in the constant movement of material downstream and settlement of this material – mainly silt, sands and gravels – in areas where flows are less strong, often where the river bends or widens.
This creates features know as ‘shoals’, humps of deposited material which, if left unattended, will continuously increase in size and eventually impede navigation.
We have identified 50 shoals which could need attention at some point over the next five years to ensure they do not cause problems for boaters, either in the fairway, or in the approaches to mooring sites that we own.
Removing or reducing the size of these shoals will be done by desilting or dredging as appropriate.
We have identified 10 shoals that require immediate attention and work on the first of these (at Whitchurch) began on 12 March. Work on all 10 is expected to be completed before the end of May. Work at each site is expected to take 2-3 days. There will be no restrictions to navigation.
The sites are listed below:
Oxfordshire
St John’s Lock - charging point moorings, downstream of lock
Buscot – in river, upstream and downstream of lock
Swinford – in river, upstream of Eynsham lock
Kings lock – mooring points, downstream of lock
Godstow – in river, upstream of lock
Abingdon – in river downstream of lock
Clifton Lock – weir stream moorings, downstream of lock
Days Lock – weir stream moorings, downstream of lock
Whitchurch Lock – in river, downstream of lock
Berkshire
Hurley Lock – lock island moorings, upstream of lock
The timetable for the work is:
March
April
Works begins at
Whitchurch
12
Days
28
Clifton
4
Hurley
10
Abingdon
12
St Johns
12
Buscot
14
Swinford
17
Kings
20
Godstow
23
Additional shoal reduction/removal works will be carried out during 2012/13 and we are currently identifying those that need attention most urgently.
Work at other sites in future years will be determined on a case-by-case and needs-must basis, and is dependent on funding levels and other operational priorities at the time.
