Project Hereward - A New Dawn

[Administrator]

The latest phase of EAWA's Project Hereward is now proceeding apace with the project team led by Chairman Roger Sexton meeting monthly at March.

We are calling the exciting and challenging new phase PROJECT HEREWARD - A NEW DAWN.

The aim is to restore navigation to the Forty Foot River between Horseway Lock and Welches Dam, the southern route through the Middle Level, which has been closed to navigation since 2006.

The main issue is lack of water in the historic channel, caused by leakage into the underlying gravels. The leaks must be found and addressed by relining part or all of the 2½ mile section of waterway. Welches Dam Lock will also require some restoration work but this is thought to be fairly minor, involving pointing of the brickwork and repair of the doors. 

The team comprises members from both EAWA and Peterborough branch of the IWA. Our Honorary Project Engineer is Professor Andrew Storrar, a highly qualified mechanical engineer with wide experience in waterways restoration.

You can see a presentation about the project HERE or follow progress at the  Project Hereward website here

[Administrator]

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It is now almost a year since the Project Hereward - New Dawn steering group, a joint initiative between EAWA and Peterborough IWA, met for the very first time. Monthly meetings are held and the group has been exploring the technical, environmental and legal issues involved in re-opening the Forty Foot and Welches Dam Lock to navigation. Visits by team members to other restoration sites have been useful in determining the best materials and methods for re-lining the channel and cost estimates have now been prepared by the team's lead technical adviser, Andrew Storrar.

Initial discussions have taken place with potential funders and the overall scheme, valuable for the environment, navigation and local heritage, has been well received. There are costs involved in preparing environmental surveys to support grant applications. In September, an anonymous benefactor gave the project a substantial sum towards further progress and EAWA directors authorised existing reserved funds and some future receipts to be allocated to the project.