Flood protection work to begin in Cardington
8 May 2014 03:40 PM
Work to maintain high
levels of flood protection to residents in Bedford will begin next week (Monday
12 May) in Cardington.
Environment Agency contractors
will be on site at the Cardington Canoe Slalom Sluice Gate and Channel for
around 5 weeks to inspect the sluice gate and carry out any necessary
repairs.
Repairs are likely to include
corrosion repairs to the sluice gate, fitting new seals and ropes and applying
anti-corrosion coating to the mechanical guards and hand
rails.
The sluice gate helps to prevent
flooding in the area by reducing river levels upstream when the river is high
and is an important element of the area’s flood defences. The facility
also includes a popular canoe slalom course that is used throughout the year
recreationally by local residents and clubs.
Chris Collin, Environment Agency
officer, said:
This work is essential in
maintaining a high level of flood protection to the Cardington area, and will
have the added benefit of improving the canoeing course at the same
time.
We aim to cause as little
disruption as possible while we complete this work.
The extensive maintenance work
will include fencing off the working and compound areas next to the sluice. The
public right of way over the nearby footbridge will remain
open.
The Environment Agency asks that
members of the public take extra care when walking around this area whilst
works are ongoing.