Work to remove accumulated debris from the arches of Elvet Bridge was completed this week, just in time for Durham Small Boats Head on February 4th but sadly too late to avoid the cancellation of Durham College Rowing’s Senate Head on January 29th, both events being raced over the 1800 metre course on the River Wear. The DCR Novice Head follows on February 26th.
With the arches blocked since mid-November by a large tree washed down by floodwater crews from 20 rowing clubs training in Durham have seen the amount of river available for their outings restricted to half its usual length.
The first Flood of winter the week after Durham Autumn Small Boats Head leaves a blockage at Elvet Bridge and renders it impassable to boats
We are grateful to Durham County Council and ARM Pipetek for their efforts in clearing the blockage.
Tree removal from Elvet Bridge, January 2023
Clearing Elvet Bridge blockage , January 2023
Logs from Elvet Bridge blockage, January 2023
ARM Pipetek have also continued the work on Framwellgate Weir which commenced in October 2022. The long-awaited work to remove trees, shrubs and accumulated litter from the weir was able to get underway last year after a licence was issued to the Council by Natural England whose permission was required to protect the natural habitat of an otter, and the provision of an alternative site for the otter.
Commenting on the work to be undertaken on the weir Councillor Mark Wilkes, the Council’s portfolio holder for Neighbourhoods and Climate Change, said: “A failure to carry out regular maintenance work over many decades means that the weir has been extensively damaged.”
“We are looking at somewhere in the region of £1.5 million of work being required. Up to £500,000 of this is potentially urgent work and we are now working on funding for this important project.”
The council is programming clearance work using specialist teams.
Clearing debris from Framwellgate Weir, October 2022