Boston Tidal Barrier - Latest News

Lincolnshire Waterways
 
Pages 28 to 33.  Future Tidal Barrier at Boston.  The following information was obtained at an Environment Agency exhibition in the town, 11 November 2014.
  
The barrier will be located across the River Witham, a little downstream of the access lock into the Black Sluice Navigation, thereby managing the tide in the Witham and making access to the Black Sluice available for a longer period each day.  This will be more important when the Fens Waterways Link, via the Black Sluice, is completed to the Nene near Peterborough, via the rivers Welland and Glen - making a navigable circular route of the fens waterways.
  
Although the new barrier will be an aid to inland navigation its primary function is to prevent flooding in Boston, the town suffering greatly during the east coast tidal surge in December 2013 when over 800 properties were extensively damaged.
  
The barrier will rise up to block the water flow, and sink down to allow the natural flow of the tides, plus passage of boats through it. 

 

 A bird's-eye view of the planned barrier, raised up across the River Witham.  Downstream is on the right.








 From inland the Witham is already controlled by the Grand Sluice and its lock, on the western edge of Boston, holding the levels of freshwater.  The stretch between the Grand Sluice and the planned barrier passes through the centre of the town and is currently fully tidal, therefore resulting in extensive, some say "unsightly", mud-banks, during much of the day.  Therefore, many factors have to be considered when deciding on the levels at which the water will be held between the two control points, and at what times  -  boats going to/from the North Sea via The Wash and the lower Witham, those to/from the Black Sluice lock, fish habitats, high river flows from inland, the positive effect on the appearance of Boston's riverside areas, and the crucial flood-prevention in Boston and surrounding areas.
  
No definite decisions have yet been made about water-level management but it's likely that the new barrier will be closed during daylight hours.  The morning high tide will flow up to the Grand Sluice, as it does now, but its waters will be captured by the barrier when the levels have fallen to the desired level.  On the rising evening tide, when the levels are equal on both sides, the barrier would be opened.  The high and low tide would then occur naturally through the town overnight.  However, the barrier would not operate during high river flows, so allowing maximum discharge of freshwater out to the North Sea.  No decision has yet been made on the levels which will be held in the freshwater Witham above the Grand Sluice.  It may also be that annually, from 1 November to 1 April, the barrier will only operate when a tidal surge is predicted.
 
Project Timescales.  
Nov 2014  -  late 2015.   Preliminary designs and the preparation of a Transport and Works Act Order (TWOA).
Late 2015  -  spring 2017.    TWOA application considered by the Secretary of State.
Summer 2017  -  late 2019.   Multi-functional Boston Barrier and associated works completed.
  
The "associated works" will be raising the lowest sections of the Witham's banks upstream of the new Boston Barrier.
  
An Environment Agency video, using a 3D-printed model and a graphics mock-up, shows the planned enviroment of the barrier and a boat passing through. tinyurl.com/omytyk5

The barrier closed, with raised river banks.   

  






We wait to see  -  but the prevention of tidal-flooding aspect of the scheme will ensure something is done.

Updates - July 2014

 
Lincolnshire Waterways
 
All of the Fossdyke and River Witham maps and Navigation Notes  -  Visitor Moorings
 
The permitted duration of stay at CRT Visitor Moorings has been increased from 24hrs to 48hrs  -  with the exception of the following  -
 
 
Fossdyke
Torksey Cut (Trent side)  -  72 hrs
Torksey Lock (Fossdyke side)  -  72 hrs
Saxilby  -  72 hrs
 
River Witham
Bardney Lock - 72 hrs
Boston visitor moorings  -  5 days  (even though an incorrect sign by the moorings currently says "7 days"!  This situation will be corrected by CRT.
 
The signage to indicate the general increase to 48 hr stay duration is due to be installed by the end of August, but is in force now. (July 2014).
 

Updates - May 2014

 
Chesterfield Canal
 
Page 16, Map 4.  Clarborough, new shop
 
The Kings Arms, on the village's Main Street, now has a new, well-stocked, Spar shop in its car-park.  Currently open every day, 6am to 10pm.  It's a pleasant walk up from Clarborough Top Bridge (62).  (Our thanks to Tony and Helen of nb Holderness for letting us know the shop had actually opened.)

Page 41. Contacts.  Tapton Lock Visitor Centre. 
 
The telephone number is now 01629 533020.  Calls will be answered by the Clay Cross Countryside Centre and forwarded to the appropriate staff at Tapton Lock.
 
Lincolnshire Waterways
 
Page 40, Map 13.  Slea Navigation.  Halfpenny Hatch Bridge.
 
The lowest bridge on this waterway, it now has arrows on both faces indicating the location of the main channel.

 

Updates - September 2013

 
Chesterfield Canal - A Richlow Guide
 
Page 12 and Map 2.  Drakeholes  -  White Swan pub
 
With pubs closing and re-opening so often we don't usually include them in the Updates blog.  But the White Swan at Drakeholes has a high profile on the Chesterfield Canal and its recent closure is more significant.  With pleasant moorings across the road, and a popular cruising range from West Stockwith basin, many boaters made it their first/last stop on the canal.

 

Hopefully the White Swan will re-open in the future.
 
 
Lincolnshire Waterways
 
Page 14.  Brayford Pool Visitor Moorings
 
The Brayford Trust has now provided visitor moorings in Brayford Pool.  They are on the south side, immediately after the road bridge across the entrance to the Pool, where Lincoln Marina used to be.  It's necessary to contact the Harbourmaster in advance.  The fee for overnight mooring includes electricity.  01522 521452
 
These facilities are in addition to the CRT visitor moorings, the site of which is unchanged.
 
Page 40.  Slea Navigation - April 2014 Update  -  Open for Navigation
 
The silt barriers, which formed below Taylors (formerly Bottom) Lock preventing boat access, have been cleared by dredging.  So the Slea is open for navigation.  But, April 2014, there is still a silt problem below Cobblers Lock, the current head of navigation, where full length narrowboats have previously been able to turn.
 
Until this problem is resolved all boaters wishing to navigate the Slea should contact the Sleaford Navigation Trust  -  page 57 under the heading "Inland Waterways Groups"  -  to ascertain the latest situation.
 
Page 57. Contacts
 
The telephone number for the Brayford Pool Harbourmaster remains the same.
Lincoln Marina should be deleted.


South Pennine Ring - Part 2
 
Page 9.  Pub List
 
The Tunnel End pub is currently closed for business.  Advisable to telephone to check.
 
Page 24. Moorings
 
Delete the reference to moorings near a pub.  See above.
 
Page 26.  Moonraker
 
Unfortunately the popular Moonraker tearoom-boat has left Slaithwaite, near lock 23E.  We hear it has moved to Lincoln  -  we will check this out in the spring.
 

Updates - July 2013

 
Lincolnshire Waterways
 
Map 4.  Old River Witham
 
At the time of writing navigation is not possible along the course of the Old River Witham, access to which is immediately below Bardney Lock.
 
A boom has been placed across the river by CRT  -  put in place to catch weed coming down the Old Witham which has previously created navigational problems on the modern navigation.
 
Therefore, passage up to the Tyrwhitt Arms is not possible at the moment.  We are currently discussing the situation with the regional CRT and the local IWA.
 
Map 13.  Slea Navigation
 
We have heard there is a sand-bar below Taylors Lock (formerly Bottom Lock), and this is effectively stopping navigation of the Slea.  Of course these situations change, so we are currently advising boaters to contact the Sleaford Navigation Trust before entering the waterway.  01522 689460.
 

Images - Lincolnshire Waterways

Lincolnshire Waterways guide - available from
richlow.co.uk

Guide books "Written by People Who Go There"

These images were taken on a 2011 cruise, led by Richlow's flagship Madeley Wood.

_________________________________________

The waterways of Lincolnshire are some of the quietest in the country - but we must be honest in saying they are an acquired taste. For those who favour exploing new waters, and those who enjoy walking or cycling, they are without parallel. And anyone with an interest in railways and/or the RAF will also find much of interest.

The Fossdyke and the River Witham form a route giving access to the Black Sluice Navigation, the Slea, and the enigmatic Witham Navigable Drains, a network where another moving boat may not be seen. And the Black Sluice Navigation now gives an opportunity for inland craft to cruise down The Haven at Boston - a highlight of any holiday on the Witham. The county is generally flat so there are only a few locks, all of which are of wide dimensions.

These waterways have wide open skies, and to be enjoyed they need wide open minds - hear the bird song, notice the fruits of the bushes, query the crops in the fields, appreciate the quietness, and feel the thrill of a Lancaster bomber overhead with escorting Spitfires as the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight climbs from its nearby RAF base.

A new path, the Water Rail Way, links Lincoln and Boston. It has 20 miles off-road and 13 miles on country lanes, using the banks of the Witham, and is clearly marked on the maps in our guide Lincolnshire Waterways.

Approaching Torksey Lock, the entrance to the Fossdyke, from the River Trent.

In Torksey Lock.

A section of the Visitor Moorings at Saxilby.

Brayford Pool in Lincoln, with the cathedral beyond.

The High Bridge (or Glory Hole) at Lincoln.
The oldest bridge in this country, with buildings still upon it.

Stamp End Lock at Lincoln.

Bardney Lock.

The River Witham is wide - no need to look for a winding hole here. We once saw a narrowboat circling - just because they could!

Not all of these waters are of the same width. Some of the by-waters, such as Billinghay Skirth and Timberland Delph have "pointing doors" at the entrance - as shown in the following picture.

"Pointing doors".

Pontoon moorings such as these are the normal standard for Visitor Moorings on the River Witham.

Anton's Gowt on the River Witham - the entrance to the Witham Navigable Drains. Pictures of Richlow boating on those waterways are on this blog, via the Images - Navigable Drains.

The new Visitor Moorings at Boston. In the distance is the tower of St.Botolph's, a feature which can be seen for many miles around the town.

At Boston the Grand Sluice (in the background) keeps the tidal waters of the River Witham at bay.

This boat is on the tidal sectionof the river, approaching the Grand Sluice on its return from the Black Sluice Navigation.

The tidal Witham passes through Boston.

Boats in The Haven at Boston, waiting for the entrance lock to the Black Sluice Navigation.

On the right are Boston's busy docks.

Entering Black Sluice Lock, with Boston docks in the background.

On the Black Sluice Navigation. This newly navigable waterway will eventually be a link through to the River Glen.

The Slea Navigation. Richlow's flagship Madeley Wood at the refurbished Bottom Lock, with pontoon moorings.

 On the Slea conditions vary....

....but mostly it's another peaceful waterway where contemplation of boatie things comes easily.




 

There were many RAF airfields in Lincolnshire, during both World Wars.  Many villages proudly maintain a memorial.

This is why the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight is still based in Lincolnshire - near the River Witham at RAF Coningsby.

Updates - February 2013

 
Lincolnshire Waterways
 
Page 12, text for Map 2. Walking and Cycling.  The towpath is now the Fossdyke Canal Trail, extended from Burton Waters to Saxilby in 2012.
 
Page 22, text for Map 7. The side-waters Timberland Delph and Billinghay Skirth have been added to the map. The Navigation Notes now contain information on pointing-doors, channel details, and turning points.

Approaching the "pointing doors" at the entrance to Timberland Delph.

Inside the entrance to Timberland Delph.  The locals rarely see boats on this waterway.

Richlow's Madeley Wood on the delph.

No wonder the locals were watching  -   Madeley Wood was not alone!

Madeley Wood exiting Timberland Delph, back onto the River Witham through the pointing doors.

Updates - January 2013

 
North Yorkshire Waterways
Page 50.  River Foss.  Castle Mills Lock
The email for IWA North Yorkshire, to arrange operation of the lock, has been changed to
castle.mills@waterways.org.uk   See Map 15.
 
 
South Pennine Ring - Part 1 of 2
Page 7 and Map 4.  Rochdale Canal.  Add - there is strictly no mooring between locks 38 and 44. (In a CRT email dated 5 December 2012).
 
 
Lincolnshire Waterways
Page 53.  Bardney Boat Club.  New entry - contact details bardneyboatclub@hotmail.co.uk
Location, on Maps 4 and 5.
 
 
 

Updates - February 2012

Lincolnshire Waterways
 
Page 26.  Geordie's Chandlery and Boat Sales.  New owners, David and Sue Ball.  Boat services are now  -  Pump-out, diesel, petrol, Calor Gas, water, chandlery.
General supplies include groceries, newspapers, coal, logs, stamps, ice-cream, fresh and frozen food, pharmaceuticals.  01205 280311

Pages 26 and 52.  Witham and Blues.  The Ferry Boat Inn at Langrick Bridge has been transformed into the Witham and Blues  -  restaurant, coffee-shop, bar.  http://www.withamandblues.com/

Updates - June 2011

 
Lincolnshire Waterways
 
Page 8. Diesel   Torksey, Tongs (Saxilby) in cans, Burton Waters, Geordie's Boat Sales, Boston Marina.  Prices vary.  Contact ahead (p53) to check availability.
Page 8. Maximum Boat Dimensions   Stamp End, Bardney and Anton's Gowt locks - 72ft.  Grand Sluice Lock 45ft x 30ft, but larger craft may pass through when tide makes a level.
Page 8.  Speed Limits   Black Sluice Navigation 7mph.
Page 10.  Navigation Notes   Delete "rubbish by the footbridge".  There are Elsan toilet disposal facilities, and showers, in the public toilets.
Page 36.  Navigation Notes   South Kyme - it is just possible to turn a 42ft craft in the village.
 
North Yorkshire Waterways
 
Pages 6, 42, 44  River Derwent - trees   We have been reliably informed that the overhanging trees have been cut back on the whole navigable section.  This will be confirmed when we boat the river in July.
Page 48  River Foss - Castle Mills Lock   The lock is currently closed for adjacent engineering work, due to re-open 26 August 2011.  For information regarding the closure telephone 07588 236 597 (24hr voice message service).
 
Chesterfield Canal
 
Map 7 - Nav Notes.  The moorings above Town Lock (50), next to the car-park, give easy access to the new Priory Shopping Centre which includes an M&S food store, Costa Coffee, and other useful shops.  The car-park exit also gives easy access to the shops of the town.
 
Map 8 - Stret Lock (48) and Shireoaks Middle Lock (43).  Passage through these locks can be difficult for a few boats, but most pass through without problems.  However, BW is investigating and the following is from its web-site - 
"We would like to advise boaters that following correspondence from several users, we are working with boating organisations to investigate and define the maximum craft dimensions for boats from Stret Lock to Norwood Tunnel. It is apparent that some boats that are within the publicised 6’ 10” beam and 2’ 6” draught are unable to navigate through Stret Lock or find it extremely difficult and have similar problems at Shireoaks Middle Lock. Whilst we complete our investigations, please contact the Newark office for up to date information."(Enquiries: 01636 704481)
 
Maps 11 and 12 - Hollingwood Hub   Alongside Hollingwood Lock, this is the new headquarters of the Chestefield Canal Trust.  It includes Nona's Coffee Shop, which used to be near Shireoaks Bridge (Map 8) and has closed at that location.
Page 41 - Contacts  Chesterfield Canal Trust, Hollingwood Hub, 22 Works Road, Hollingwood, Chesterfield S43 2PF.  Tel: 01246 477569.
 

Hollingwood Hub.  For the first time in 35 years the Chesterfield Canal Trust has a headquarters of its own.  The new wing in the foreground contains Nona's Coffee Shop, and a meeting room.  At the far end the original lock-house has offices for the Trust, and an archives room.

Hollingwood Hub.  Nona's Coffee Shop.

Open 09.00 to 16.30 Wednesday to Sunday,
and Bank Holiday Mondays.

Hollingwood Hub.  What it's all about  -  a headquarters where the Trust can get its message across.  Here by giving a presentation to the Heritage Lottery Fund.
 
But this room can also be hired by community groups.

Updates - May 2011

  
Narrowboat on the Trent

Page 31.  Keadby Lock, both pubs near the lock have closed.
  
Lincolnshire Waterways
  
Map 1.  The Bridge Inn at Saxilby is presently closed.
Maps 5 & 6.  The White Horse Inn at Dunston Fen - is reported to be re-opening June 2011.
Map 10.  The Witham Tavern at Boston is presently closed.
  
Chesterfield Canal Guide
  
Map 12.  The towpath has re-opened past Hollingwood Lock.
  

  

Sleaford - New Waterways Area

 
A Lovely Day for Trailable Boats, and Canoes
 
On a sunny 3rd of July the official opening took place of facilites to give trailable boats and canoes access to the Slea Navigation.  Sleaford is still isolated from the main network by the four miles and six locks still awaiting restoration, but now the campaign will be promoted by residents seeing craft using the river in the town centre.
 
A ribbon across the new slipway was cut, and Richlow's trailable flagship Schandelle was the first boat to descend to the river Slea.  The new liftbridge was raised and Schandelle had the honour to pass beneath.  By the slipway new moorings have been installed, there two Wilderness trailboats added to the colour of the event, as did a number of canoes.
 

Richlow's Schandelle launched at the official opening of Sleaford's new slipway.

Sleaford now has a lovely riverside area, with easy pedestrian access and adjacent parking off Eastgate.

Schandelle passing under the liftbridge, just downstream of the new slipway and moorings.  The new bridge, in a busy pedestrian area, also allows usage by pushchairs and wheelchairs which the old bridge did not.

One of the Wilderness trailable boats which added to the event, on passage back from Cogglesford Lock.

Entrance to the Black Sluice Navigation at Boston

     
Why boats cannot stay on the pontoon moorings

This picture shows the pontoon moorings in the tidal River Witham at Boston, called The Haven, where boats moor before entering the lock at the entrance to the Black Sluice Navigation (left foreground).  But it shows what the conditions are at low-water, when the mud-banks are plain to see.  Of course, boats will not be (cannot be) sent down from the Grand Sluice Lock at this time of the tide but it adds to crew information to see the image.

In the background, upstream, Boston's fishing fleet is on its moorings.  On the right, the frontage of Boston docks where sea-going coasters are often moored for cargo handling.