River Great Ouse closed to Navigation at Ely

[Grumpy Bear]

Following a train de-railment this morning on a bridge crossing the River Great Ouse just south of Ely, the River is closed to navigation between "Popes Corner" and Ely until further notice. This will affect anybody entering the system in the next few days from the Middle levels via Salters Lode and Denver Sluice complex - or indeed anyone wishing to leave the system. You will not be able to proceed beyond Ely.

 

Pictures show rail carriages hanging off the bridge over the river.

 

The EA have published an emergency closure notice on the EA website for the River Great Ouse

 

Mike

[Hairy-Neil]

Since when did a goods train have carriages.....

[Grumpy Bear]

Well the quality of the reporting can be judged from the fact that the incident was neither on the River Ouse or near Littleport - as stated on the website.

 

The incident was on the River Great Ouse, 1 mile south of Ely. And yes several what ever they are, are dangling over the river - and will be for several days.

[Grumpy Bear]

Network Rail has posted a re-opening date of 9th July for the rail line.

 

No news on reopening of the river. However, given that at least three trucks have dumped their ballast into the river and others onto the surroundings and that most of the remedial work will be on the bridge structure we may surmise that the river will stay closed up to that date.

 

The impact on the hire boat company based in Ely has been severe given that all of his boats are trapped on the wrong side of the closure.

[Benadix]

Network Rail has posted a re-opening date of 9th July for the rail line.

 

No news on reopening of the river. However, given that at least three trucks have dumped their ballast into the river and others onto the surroundings and that most of the remedial work will be on the bridge structure we may surmise that the river will stay closed up to that date.

 

The impact on the hire boat company based in Ely has been severe given that all of his boats are trapped on the wrong side of the closure.

 

 

There is an alternative route via the 100 foot New Bedford River from Denver to Earith. However currents can be strong, particularly when spring tides combine with high river flows as a result of wet weather in the midlands (as at present). Thus not for the faint hearted or 1st time boater - hence the prohibition of hire boats on this river. There are rumours that the river will be closed for 14 weeks - for anyone not already upstream of Ely, it could make life interesting for anyone intending to come to the IWA festival at St Ives at the end of August!

[Grumpy Bear]

There is an alternative route via the 100 foot New Bedford River from Denver to Earith. However currents can be strong, particularly when spring tides combine with high river flows as a result of wet weather in the midlands (as at present). Thus not for the faint hearted or 1st time boater - hence the prohibition of hire boats on this river. There are rumours that the river will be closed for 14 weeks - for anyone not already upstream of Ely, it could make life interesting for anyone intending to come to the IWA festival at St Ives at the end of August!

 

It now seems clear that a road needs to be built to the bridge where the derailment occurred in order to get a crane in to remove the remaining carriages. Today's (EA) estimate is that the river will not be open to navigation until the 2nd week of August. Bearing in mind that in the week immediately before the festival the tides are not right for a passage through Salters Lode, it looks likely that those who are not already south of Ely on the Great Ouse system will need to consider coming the 20 miles up the New Bedford (100 ft) river from Denver to get to the festival via Earith.

[Grumpy Bear]

It now seems clear that a road needs to be built to the bridge where the derailment occurred in order to get a crane in to remove the remaining carriages. Today's (EA) estimate is that the river will not be open to navigation until the 2nd week of August. Bearing in mind that in the week immediately before the festival the tides are not right for a passage through Salters Lode, it looks likely that those who are not already south of Ely on the Great Ouse system will need to consider coming the 20 miles up the New Bedford (100 ft) river from Denver to get to the festival via Earith.

 

Well the first 4 have made it!!! Four narrowboats successfully navigated the 100ft New Bedford River today without any problem. Its a goer - but, as usual, take advice from the lock keepers on tides etc

[malc1110]

We got caught on the wrong side of the derailment, we were on the Old West when it happened. Fortunately we have a mooring at Earith as well as Ely so we used that for a couple of nights and to top up batteries and water. We then did the New Bedford and were really impressed with the scenery as for the greater part of it you can see over the banks. Both the lock keeper at Earith and Denver were excellent with their help and advice and the trip was very enjoyable. We shall certainly use that route again. It took approximately 3.5 hours just gentle cruising with the little 9.9 outboard's throttle about 2/3rds open.

[Grumpy Bear]

We got caught on the wrong side of the derailment, we were on the Old West when it happened. Fortunately we have a mooring at Earith as well as Ely so we used that for a couple of nights and to top up batteries and water. We then did the New Bedford and were really impressed with the scenery as for the greater part of it you can see over the banks. Both the lock keeper at Earith and Denver were excellent with their help and advice and the trip was very enjoyable. We shall certainly use that route again. It took approximately 3.5 hours just gentle cruising with the little 9.9 outboard's throttle about 2/3rds open.

 

At least 6 boats made the passage over the weekend; one cruiser had difficulty getting under a bridge at high water but all the narrowboats made the passage without any problem.

[Grumpy Bear]

Further to previous posts, the Environment Agency has issued detailed advice and a bridge chart for those intending to use the Hundred Foot Drain (New Bedford River) to bypass the Ely closure (in order to get to the IWA Festival)

 

You can download it here

 

Please contact the Denver lock-keeper on 01366 382340 before commencing passage. (This is the preferred number and staff will call you back if the office is unattended).

 

Contact can also be made through the Denver Complex Office on 01366 382013 or VHF Channels 16 & 17.

 

Please remember that the section is tidal and that bridge information given shows only the typical (not guaranteed) headroom at High Water Spring / High Water Neap Tides. Today, the EA started fitting inverted gauge (headroom) boards to the bridges but it is essential to contact the lock-keeper for the latest level status.

 

More general advice is freely available from the EA River Inspectors, Mervyn Day 07889 111 829 or Roger Mungham 07760 171 161 (both of whom are boaters who know the system well)

[Yamanx]

Another three weeks and an access road! Bloody ridiculous, I know some pikey's if you give them the nod it'll be gone by morning.

[Grumpy Bear]

The access road to the site of the derailment has been completed and the 1000 ton crane is now in place and ready to lift the remaining carriages - and perhaps the bridge - clear.

The EA is still hoping for navigation to be open for 15th August

 

A picture of the crane is at:

 

Big Crane

[AMModels]

that IS a big crane!!!