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Another Whaley Bridge ?


Alan de Enfield

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Image result for earlswood reservoir landslide

 

 

Residents fear dam's collapse at Earlswood Lakes

 

RESIDENTS near Earlswood Lakes in Solihull have called for assurances amid fears of floods and dam deterioration.

Mark Franks – who lives in Malthouse Lane – spoke to us in the wake of the Whaley Bridge dam scare in Derby.

He said he was concerned that poor maintenance could lead to a breach at the causeway separating the lakes from homes below.

We have heard from worried residents who allege that Malthouse Lane – above the causeway and between the two lakes – is being used by heavy vehicles, and is often congested, despite a 2.5-ton weight restriction being in place.

Mr Franks along with other residents have called for the road across the top of the dam to be closed.

They say this will mitigate any further erosion – after landslips at two large sections of the dam last May.

But authorities have been unequivocal in ruling out safety concerns, saying that regular inspections are carried out.

The Canal and River Trust is ultimately responsible for maintaining the lakes, while the Environment Agency is the enforcement body.

Mr Franks said: “The dam is the same design as that at Whaley Bridge, a puddle clay core dam, but is almost 20 years older.

“My concern is that the Canal and River Trust is neglecting the maintenance of the dam, along with ignoring calls of concern from local residents that use of the road across the top of the dam is leading to increased erosion of the substructure.

“There is a signed weight limit of 2.5 tons, however vehicles far heavier than that regularly use the dam roadway.

 

 

More here :

https://solihullobserver.co.uk/news/residents-fear-dams-collapse-at-earlswood-lakes-14813/

Edited by Alan de Enfield
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I liked the quote from CRT

 

Regional director at the trust Adnan Saif: “I’d like to assure residents that there are regular inspections and maintenance at Earlswood Reservoir.

“In England, maintenance of reservoirs is highly regulated with all identified works having to be undertaken by law.

“The trust’s specialists are carrying out investigations as part of that stringent inspection and maintenance regime......"

 

Didn't they say that about Whaley Bridge as well?

  • Greenie 1
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Looking at the road on StreetView there are clear signs of a 2.5T weight limit. However, the photo claiming to show congestion (as well as a largish truck) is a stretching its headline: it claims to show congestion but the road junction at that point is a little unusual as both directions can only turn 90 deg to go across the dam embankment.

 

No indication that the complainants have taken up the weight limit with the Highways Authority for enforcement. If it is regularly used by HGVs then I suspect the the people who live on Malthouse Lane will not be best pleased either.

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3 hours ago, Chewbacka said:

I liked the quote from CRT

 

Regional director at the trust Adnan Saif: “I’d like to assure residents that there are regular inspections and maintenance at Earlswood Reservoir.

“In England, maintenance of reservoirs is highly regulated with all identified works having to be undertaken by law.

“The trust’s specialists are carrying out investigations as part of that stringent inspection and maintenance regime......"

 

Didn't they say that about Whaley Bridge as well?

Copy and pasting press releases and speeches seems to be all the rage at the moment....

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3 hours ago, Mike Todd said:

Looking at the road on StreetView there are clear signs of a 2.5T weight limit. However, the photo claiming to show congestion (as well as a largish truck) is a stretching its headline: it claims to show congestion but the road junction at that point is a little unusual as both directions can only turn 90 deg to go across the dam embankment.

 

No indication that the complainants have taken up the weight limit with the Highways Authority for enforcement. If it is regularly used by HGVs then I suspect the the people who live on Malthouse Lane will not be best pleased either.

The central road to the 90o turn is a rat run commonly used by local traffic. HGV drivers using car sat navs have no option but to flout the weight limit. Maybe CCTV and a few prosecutions would be a deterrent.

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9 hours ago, Ex Brummie said:

The central road to the 90o turn is a rat run commonly used by local traffic. HGV drivers using car sat navs have no option but to flout the weight limit. Maybe CCTV and a few prosecutions would be a deterrent.

 

Or width restrictions at either end.

 

Cheap and effective.

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13 minutes ago, Captain Pegg said:

Likely not to be feasible if it prevented access for emergency vehicles.

 

I have seen width restrictions with one fixed post and one telescopic collapsible post, to which the emergency services presumably have a key.

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8 minutes ago, cuthound said:

 

I have seen width restrictions with one fixed post and one telescopic collapsible post, to which the emergency services presumably have a key.

Not insurmountable I’m sure but it becomes less cheap and effective.

 

I’m imagining a fire tender responding to an emergency call stopping to rummage around to find the right key to unlock the barrier so it can continue it’s journey to a burning house! Hopefully there is smarter technology.

 

JP

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12 minutes ago, Captain Pegg said:

Not insurmountable I’m sure but it becomes less cheap and effective.

 

I’m imagining a fire tender responding to an emergency call stopping to rummage around to find the right key to unlock the barrier so it can continue it’s journey to a burning house! Hopefully there is smarter technology.

 

JP

They wouldn't have to "rummage around to find the right key"

 

The fire brigade carry a set of "FB" keys on every vehicle. This comprises 6 keys (3 padlock keys and 3 mortice lock keys).

 

Any moveable bollard would be fitted with an FB compatible lock

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1 minute ago, mayalld said:

They wouldn't have to "rummage around to find the right key"

 

The fire brigade carry a set of "FB" keys on every vehicle. This comprises 6 keys (3 padlock keys and 3 mortice lock keys).

 

Any moveable bollard would be fitted with an FB compatible lock

I figured something like that would be the case but I still can’t help thinking it ain’t a great solution.

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30 minutes ago, Machpoint005 said:

If CRT cannot afford to carry out vital maintenance, serious questions need to be asked about the funding model. You cannot blame any authority for its inability to pour a quart out of a pint pot. 

errr but didn't Mr Parry say on Newsnight “We aren’t short of money to spend on reservoirs,"

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5 minutes ago, Machpoint005 said:

I don't know, I didn't watch. The general point remains valid, though.

3 minutes ago, Mike Todd said:

Do we know with any certainty (ie not from a dubious local newspaper) that the damage to the dam is other than cosmetic?

I've no idea and I'm no expert but that damage looks similar to Whaley Bridge and will be a big concern to those living below.

 

 

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8 minutes ago, Mike Todd said:

Do we know with any certainty (ie not from a dubious local newspaper) that the damage to the dam is other than cosmetic?

Of course we don't. Trouble is, CRT probably don't either. 

14 minutes ago, Midnight said:

errr but didn't Mr Parry say on Newsnight “We aren’t short of money to spend on reservoirs,"

What we do know, by the general state of the system and the number of unexpected stoppages, is that there isn't enough money to pay for general maintenance. 

  • Greenie 1
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6 minutes ago, Arthur Marshall said:

 

What we do know, by the general state of the system and the number of unexpected stoppages, is that there isn't enough money to pay for general maintenance. 

I think we all agree with that Arthur. Is it likely CaRT will get more funding for reservoirs - probably. Is it likely CaRT will get more funding for general canal maintenance - unlikely

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3 minutes ago, Midnight said:

I think we all agree with that Arthur. Is it likely CaRT will get more funding for reservoirs - probably. Is it likely CaRT will get more funding for general canal maintenance - unlikely

 

We are adjacent to 4 large agricultural reservoirs.

A year or two ago the EA inspection declared them no longer compliant with the new regulations and they had to reduce the depth (increase the freeboard) by approximately 1/3rd.

They were instructed to put in an 'overflow' approximately 1/3rd of the way down the 'wall' to reduce the volume of water held.

 

We recently sold about 60 acres of land to the local 'estate' on which they have now completed phase 1 of reservoir building with a 230,000,000 (230 million) litre reservoir, (at a cost of £5 million), they plan to start phase 2 shortly (build another the same)

 

With the banks built to the new regulations (1:3) the reservoir is 14.3 mts deep to the 'overflow'. They overflow must ensure that a minimum freeboard of 1.2 metres is maintained.

 

I would suggest that C&RT are unlikely to receive funding to 'shore-up' the reservoirs, and are more likely to have their capacities reduced to a 'safe level', with all the implications to water supply for the canals affected.

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Years ago BWB had a programme of reservoir checks that resulted in the lowering of the retained levels. I know that the 2 Daventry reservoirs where lowered as at the time we were worried about the reduction in supply and were assured that the back pumping from the sewerage works at Buckby would make up for the shortages. What we got was lots of foam in the locks.

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