Re-watering Pound 26
To allow contractors to have undisturbed possession of the Tamworth Road site, we suspended our volunteer work parties through February and March, with one exception. Two dead trees beside the Pound 26 towpath had to be felled before the nesting season and having the pound full of water. Clive Hensman put his chainsaw training to good use, assisted by Simon, Keith, John and Bob. Otherwise, the enforced rest was not unwelcome!
If we could order the right weather, we could not have done better than to have the driest March since 1923 for the contract work on Pound 26. With so much work to do on and in the ground, McPhillips were so lucky in not having to cope with any muddy conditions or flood flow through the “big pipe”. The only significant rain came at a week-end which helpfully facilitated the necessary water test for the new base cast in Lock 25!
In simple terms, the principal stages were:-
- Installing a small bore temporary pipeline to divert base flow water (measured at 1 litre/second) from the big pipe at the head of Lock 25, running beside the pound, discharging into the bywash of Lock 26 to maintain the Environment Agency’s condition for a continuing flow onwards into the Darnford Brook.
- Clearing the surface spoil and all growth from Pound 26, removing the big pipe, demolishing the drop shaft in Lock 25, casting a new concrete base and making good eroded brickwork up to low water level. Sub-contractors injected waterproofing grout to strengthen the new off-side pound wall.
- Reducing and levelling the ground in Pound 26, laying bentonite waterproof matting, covering it with about a foot of sandy material which fortunately could be excavated from another part of the site.
- Installing a “stop-plank wall” on a new concrete base at the head of Lock 26.
- Meeting stringent conditions imposed by Severn Trent Water to install four manholes and a new pipeline below the canal bed near the head of Lock 26 to extend surface drainage from nearby Wentworth Drive, through the towpath past Lock 26, reconnecting into the remaining big pipe in Pound 27.
- Dividing the normal water-flow above Lock 25 to both maintain the diversion volume and allow the new canal section to start filling up for gradual stages of testing water retention. This process will continue over many weeks until the pound is full so that in due course, the temporary diversion pipeline can be removed.
As an added bonus, the big pipe and drop shaft in Lock 26 have also been removed to enable us to proceed with completing restoration of that lock now instead of puzzling over how to get the big pipe out of there!
Easy when you know how! All this required heavy machinery in expert hands and a small team of very capable civil engineers; civil in every sense of the word. McPhillips enjoyed being with us and we certainly enjoyed having them undertake this difficult task for us. We are particularly grateful to Peter Buck, John Horton, Derek Lord and David Piggott for overseeing all this work for the Trust.
Pound 26 before work started
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Lock 25 before work started
Lock 26 tail before work started
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Sign at the site entrance
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Lock 25 shaft demolition
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Laying concrete in Lock 25
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Lock 25 head repaired
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Pumping concrete into Lock 25
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McPhillips clear Pound 26
More clearing pound 26
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McPhillips levelling Pound 26 base
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| McPhillps laying bentonite waterpoofing
Tributary pipeline diversion round Lock 26
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Letting in the first water
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| Lock 25 after work finished
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| And then a family of ducks moved in - where did THEY come from?
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| Pound 26 looking like a canal
The WOW factor - After 14 years of hard graft, a dream becomes a reality
| (Photos by Bob Williams)
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it is worth noting that the contractors, McPhillips (Wellington) Limited completed the work both on time and for the fixed price of £86,105. Indeed, they voluntarily extended the scope of work greatly to our advantage and repeatedly said how much they had enjoyed this very different and challenging project. If only we had endless funds, they would have gladly carried on with much more!
For now, it’s back to the handful of volunteers to continue the basic work, but encouraged by several newcomers wanting to join in now they see we’re getting somewhere. If this appeals to you, please give me a call on 01543 671427 to make arrangements.
Lock 26 tail after work finished
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Work to do in Lock 26
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Bob Williams, Project Co-ordinator
HATHERTON CANAL
Our regular date is the third Sunday of each month, from 10 am, with some occasional extra days as required. Contact Denis Cooper on 01543-374370 (work) for details of meeting places.
Monthly work parties 2011: Sundays; 17 July, 21 August, 18 September, 16 October, 20 November.
ALL SITES: Bring old clothes, stout footwear, work gloves, and refreshment. Hard hats and basic working tools can be provided as necessary, although you are welcome to bring your own.
