News Item:  5th May 2010

West Hart Embankment - Crookham, Update [from BCA Website

The repair to the West Hart Embankment remains on schedule! [ Start date 26th April - Finish date 12th June ]

Water levels are being monitored and managed on a day to day basis for the whole canal by the BCA duty rangers. Water level on the isolated (dammed off) section of the West Hart Embankment is currently being maintained at a reduced level to facilitate a seal and anchor trench that has now been excavated in preparation for installation of the final bank protection system. Good quality blue clay has been sourced and delivered to site for strengthening the bank.

Minimal vegetation clearance on the affected bank has been completed, this has removed all emergent shrubs and potential for root damage from the immediate bank side, allowing the effective installation of the geotextile membrane system. Ground disturbance is minimal and should not have any effect on fauna or flora.

Two heavy duty silent running pumps are deployed to manage water levels in accordance with safety and the bank protection and repair process.

The bank protection system being installed has been carefully chosen to conform with the industry standard, best practice, ecologically supportive and complies with the Conservation Management Objectives. This system allows for the quick regeneration of a healthy marginal vegetation and reed mace.

All precautions necessary to prevent any contaminants entering the water system are in place and are under the direct control of the appointed contract project engineer and the county supervising engineer. All equipment and materials are carefully stored back at the compound site and maintained by the contractor in accordance with current regulations.

Ash Lock remains closed to navigation and will not reopen until the repair work is completed. This is to conserve water on the Hampshire (Fleet) Pound and maintain the alkaline gradient through into Surrey where the water is more acidic.

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