ENVIRONMENT AGENCY CLEARS GIANT CULVERT IN CHELTENHAM

Ben Ashmore - 23-Sep-2008 - The Environment Agency has started work to remove silt from a 420-metre long culvert where the River Chelt flows underground through Cheltenham town centre. The work forms part of a series of works designed to improve the standard of flood protection provided by the Chelt Flood Risk Management Scheme following the 2007 flood events.

An inspection by underground CCTV revealed partial blockages and restrictions to the flow of the Chelt through the culvert which could increase flood risk.

We are now using specialist contractors, pumping equipment and sewer and mining specialists to remove the silt and gravel to ensure that the culvert will continue to be able to carry the amount of water that needs to flow through it during a flood.

The £300,000 project is being funded by the Environment Agency in partnership with Cheltenham Borough Council, who are contributing £50,000 as part of their responsibilities as owners of riverside land, and Gloucestershire County Council who are also contributing £50,000 as they are keen to see the project progress.

A contractors’ compound has been set up on the Promenade next to Neptune's fountain with other sites at Synagogue Lane and Rodney Road Car park. Work has been delayed due to the recent wet weather but should finish at the end of the month.

Anthony Crowther of the Environment Agency says “Many people aren’t even aware of the River Chelt as it flows through Cheltenham because much of it flows beneath their feet. Keeping this enormous culvert clear of blockages is a vital part of our routine maintenance work to keep the Chelt flowing freely and reduce flood risk for the people of Cheltenham.

“Rivers deposit silt and gravel naturally and, over time, this builds up on the river bed reducing the capacity of the channel. It is also affected by extreme flood events, as witnessed last year, which have pushed large blocks of debris into the culvert. With a long culvert like this one, it can be difficult to get at the silt and debris to remove it, so we need to bring in specialist contractors to keep it clear.”

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Environment Agency clears giant culvert in Cheltenham

Ben Ashmore - 23-Sep-2008 - The Environment Agency has started work to remove silt from a 420-metre long culvert where the River Chelt flows underground through Cheltenham town centre. The work forms part of a series of works designed to improve the standard of flood protection provided by the Chelt Flood Risk Management Scheme following the 2007 flood events.

An inspection by underground CCTV revealed partial blockages and restrictions to the flow of the Chelt through the culvert which could increase flood risk.

We are now using specialist contractors, pumping equipment and sewer and mining specialists to remove the silt and gravel to ensure that the culvert will continue to be able to carry the amount of water that needs to flow through it during a flood.

The £300,000 project is being funded by the Environment Agency in partnership with Cheltenham Borough Council, who are contributing £50,000 as part of their responsibilities as owners of riverside land, and Gloucestershire County Council who are also contributing £50,000 as they are keen to see the project progress.

A contractors’ compound has been set up on the Promenade next to Neptune's fountain with other sites at Synagogue Lane and Rodney Road Car park. Work has been delayed due to the recent wet weather but should finish at the end of the month.

Anthony Crowther of the Environment Agency says “Many people aren’t even aware of the River Chelt as it flows through Cheltenham because much of it flows beneath their feet. Keeping this enormous culvert clear of blockages is a vital part of our routine maintenance work to keep the Chelt flowing freely and reduce flood risk for the people of Cheltenham.

“Rivers deposit silt and gravel naturally and, over time, this builds up on the river bed reducing the capacity of the channel. It is also affected by extreme flood events, as witnessed last year, which have pushed large blocks of debris into the culvert. With a long culvert like this one, it can be difficult to get at the silt and debris to remove it, so we need to bring in specialist contractors to keep it clear.”

New Environment Agency Chairman oversees annual Thames Barrier Closure

Hayley Willoughby - 24-Sep-2008 - On Sunday 28 September 2008 Londoners will be able to see just how well protected they are from tidal flooding as the Thames Barrier performs a full test closure on a spring tide.

The Environment Agency’s Chairman, Lord Chris Smith, will be joined by delegates who manage other storm surge barriers from as far away as Russia, Italy and Holland, who are in London to gain and share knowledge and experience in preventing flood risk.

Lord Smith and delegates will also enjoy an in-depth tour of the Barrier, visiting the control room, machinery areas and the underground access tunnel. Guests will also join Environment Agency staff at the Thames Barrier Learning Centre.

The Thames Barrier closes each month as a test to ensure the gates are functioning properly. But, once a year, a full test closure is performed over a high tide – with the gates remaining closed for several hours, allowing a multitude of technical checks to be carried out.

Operational since 1982, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the Thames Barrier has been used 109 times to protect 125 square km of central London and 1.25 million people from flooding, and will continue to do so well into the future.

The Thames Barrier and associated defences currently provide London with one of the best levels of flood protection in the world. However, with a changing climate and increasing sea levels, action is likely to be needed in future years to ensure that people and property remain safe.

The Environment Agency is already working on adapting to climate challenge and is developing a long term flood risk management plan for London and the Thames Estuary. The Thames Estuary 2100 report will identify what action is needed by when and where to manage rising water levels through this century. Early findings from the Project confirm that the Thames Barrier will remain a key feature in the future management of tidal flooding for London, based on current Government predictions, through to the end of this century. The Thames Estuary 2100 report will be launched for public consultation in April 2009 and submitted to Government in January 2010.

Andy Batchelor, Thames Tidal Flood Risk Manager, said: “This is an annual opportunity to put the Thames Barrier and the associated tidal defences through their paces in advance of the main flood risk season. It also allows our staff to carry out a series of checks on our operating machinery, systems and procedures. We will be closed over the full tidal cycle and the Barrier will get a thorough work-out, as we will be creating a 4m differential in the water levels upstream and downstream of the structure. The public will be able to see the Barrier fully closed from around 10 am on the day.

He continued: “From around 1.15pm we will move the main Barrier gates to a position called underspill and we will effectively force the flow of the Thames through a narrow gap under the gates. This causes a spectacular white water effect upstream of the Barrier and is well worth seeing.”

The test closure will begin with gates moving at around 9am and end at approximately 4pm. The high tide is forecast for 1.45pm. Closure times are approximate and may vary with tidal conditions on the day.

Members of the public are invited to the public areas of the Barrier between these times to see this famous landmark in action. In addition to the closure of the Barrier, visitors can enjoy the Learning Centre and cafeteria, which will be open throughout the day. The Thames Barrier site has ample parking space and disabled facilities, and can be reached via the A206 on the south side of the river.