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North Cornwall: Council seeks to take advantage of empty canal to carry out work

Following the powerful storms that caused damage to the Bude canal lock gates last week, the lower wharf area of the canal is currently empty.


Whilst work continues to assess damage and make repairs to the lock gates, NCDC are taking the opportunity to see if they can carry out other work that was previously planned to take place in the autumn of this year.

Charlie David, NCDC Public Space Manager, says:

“Last weeks storms caused damage to the lock gates in Bude that we are currently working hard to assess and repair.

“We believe that the gates themselves are largely undamaged, but some work will be required to the hinges and lock walls.

“However, this has presented us with the opportunity to possibly carry out repairs to the walls of the canal that were planned for later this year.

“These repairs are not related to the storms, but with the canal currently empty we have the chance to carry out this work without having to drain the canal again”

Alongside this, NCDC staff and partners are continuing work on the canal following the severe weather last week:

• The large concrete blocks installed will be removed on the 19th March as they have fulfilled their immediate task of stopping further damage from storm waves.
• A three metre high temporary wall will be constructed near to the inner lock gates to reduce sea action through the locks.
• Engineers have been commissioned to assess and repair the damage to the lock gates and hinges.

The council are also looking to see if it is possible to dredge the canal whilst it is empty. This work was also previously planned for later this year, but may be able to be brought forward subject to consent from the Environment Agency.

Neil Burden, Chair of the NCDC Regeneration Committee, says:

“Everybody has been remarkable in assisting with work on the Canal following the storms last week.

“The clean up has already seen chairs, metalwork and other debris removed from the canal basin.

“I am now very keen for us to take this disaster and turn it into an opportunity to repair the canal walls and further clean the canal basin whilst it is empty, as well as hopefully dredging the canal if possible.”

Mike East, Director of Technical Services, says:

“The work taking place now will not delay any aspect of the Bude Canal Regeneration Project.

“Although exact timescales are not yet known, it is hoped that the canal will be back to normal with the damage repaired by the start of May.”

Fish that were rescued by local anglers and the environment agency have been put back into the canal further upstream in holding pools until work is complete.