Chairman’s Corner

Chairman’s Corner

A few weeks ago, we were busy replacing curtains and sorting out Watermist ready for the boating season wearing thick jumpers and fleeces with the heating appliances going full belt.

However, on the morning we were preparing to leave for home, the sun came out and the prolonged cold spring suddenly ended and the long hot spell began. Hopefully it will remain so for the duration of the summer.

The hot weather has been giving the EA a few problems with low dissolved oxygen levels being recorded at Welches Dam, Welney and in the River Delph. Unusually for mid-June, they are still having to pump water off the Ouse Washes and are, therefore, unable to flush fresh water from the Great Ouse via Earith Sluice. As soon as conditions allow they plan to deploy oxygenating equipment at several locations in order to preserve fish stocks.

The EA are still progressing with the massive on-going bank raising work along the Middle Level Barrier Bank between Earith and Welmore Bank Sluice. The project will culminate in the installation of a demountable flood barrier to eleviate regular winter flooding at Welney.

The branch has been invited to comment on two other major construction projects likely to cause short-term restrictions to navigation on the Great Ouse in due course. Both of these projects are still at the consultation stage and it is far too early to determine the likely level of disruption.

 Network Rail plan to replace the ‘Cutter’ railway bridge over the River

Great Ouse at Ely in order to facilitate trains to cross at 50 mph.

They also intend to widen the ‘marina to fisherman’s car park’ railway bridge over the River Great Ouse at Ely to facilitate two-track running.

 Highways England plan to carry out major road improvements in the area of the A1/A421 junction at the Black Cat roundabout. This will involve the building of a completely new bridge over the River Great

Ouse.

I would like to thank all those members who joined us online for the two virtual AGMs held in March and April this year. It was a new experience for all of us, but with help from IWA HQ staff we managed to master the technology without too much difficulty. The total number of those participating was in line with attendance at previous physical meetings, although it was pleasing to see a number of new faces.

We are now pressing ahead with organising the winter programme on the understanding that there will be no more restrictions imposed on indoor gatherings. All meetings will be held as usual at North Lodge Pavilion, Milton. Please see Page 3 for the full details of our planned winter meetings for 2021/ 2022.

In the meantime, I hope that you have a great boating season and I look forward to seeing you all in the autumn.

Keith Alderton