BOATS TO GO

Progress on Broads swing bridges

Urgent efforts are being made by the Broads Authority and Network Rail to get two swing bridges on the Broads opening again as soon as possible. At Somerleyton, exploratory work over the weekend found that the bridge’s pivot mechanism is damaged and unable to open – meaning boats with fixed masts and large motor boats are currently unable to pass through. The unique design of the bridge means a replacement part has to be custom made before fitting and testing can be carried out. Network Rail engineers also continue to work on Trowse bridge on the river Yare in Norwich, which has been unable to be opened mechanically since the computer-controlled lifting system suffered a catastrophic failure following a power surge in June 2008. The bridge can only be opened manually at night, between 1.30am and 4am, with a week’s notice as it takes two hours to operate with a full crew. Network Rail has invested heavily in Trowse bridge during its mechanical closure, spending £65,000 on replacing computers, including a back up computer system in the event of future failures, £80,000 on new software and £30,000 on replacing or refurbishing hydraulic valves. Engineers are hopeful that the bridge will be fully operational in the near future. Trudi Wakelin, Director of Waterways for the Broads Authority, said: “We are in contact with Network Rail on a daily basis regarding the state of all the swing bridges on the Broads and they are committed to getting the bridges working as soon as possible. We are pushing hard for a legal agreement between the Broads Authority and Network Rail whereby Network Rail would give an undertaking to complete the works to an agreed timetable.” Andrew Munden, Network Rail route director for Anglia, said: “Network Rail appreciates the importance of these bridges, both to the safe and efficient operation of the railway and to those who regularly use the waterways for work and pleasure. We have worked closely with the Broads Authority to keep them up to speed on the situation at Trowse and Somerleyton and both organisations have benefited from a newly agreed protocol, ensuring that information is shared more effectively and engineers and officers from both sides work together more closely. “Network Rail apologises for the delay in returning the bridges to full operation. Operating a twenty-first century railway on Edwardian infrastructure is undoubtedly a challenge but we will continue working until we have resolved all of the issues.”  In recognition of the disruption caused to boat users, Network Rail has agreed to fund a mooring pontoon upstream of Somerleyton bridge where yachts can lower their masts safely and which would also provide a lunch stop for boaters out for the day. The Broads Authority and Network Rail will meet again on June 8^th for an update on the situation at both bridges. In the meantime, close contact between railway engineers and waterways officers will continue to ensure any urgent issues are addressed.

IWA Issues new Waterway Freight Leaflet The IWA is a firm advocate of freight by water. It is keen to ensure that the key facts about the environmental credentials of water freight are fully understood. To this end it has produced a new leaflet that sets out the salient facts in a graphic way and provides short illustrated case studies from around the country. The leaflet also identifies the principal waterways considered suitable for traffic. About IWA The Inland Waterways Association is a registered charity, founded in 1946, which advocates the conservation, use, maintenance, restoration and development of the inland waterways for public benefit. IWA works closely with navigation authorities, national and local authorities, voluntary, private and public sector organisations. We campaign and lobby for support and encourage public participation in the inland waterways. IWA also manages the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation for the public benefit, through its subsidiary Essex Waterways (www.essexwaterways.com), having stepped in to prevent its closure in 2005. IWA actively supports waterway restoration, and through its waterways restoration volunteering organisation, Waterway Recovery Group (www.wrg.org.uk), organises and subsidises over 20 week-long waterway restoration working holidays for volunteers of all ages throughout the UK each year, as well as conducting multiple work parties around the country on most weekends.  This particularly enables young people to participate in the preservation and restoration of our heritage, and in doing so learn construction and heritage skills. IWA is organised into 35 local branches covering geographical areas of the country, through which volunteers coordinate activities as diverse as policing planning applications through the waterway corridor, organising festivals and events to raise public awareness, providing engineering expertise, raising money for restoration schemes, and providing education on the value and benefits of their local waterways. There is much more information at www.waterways.org.uk

                                                Broads Authority finds green ways of protecting your boat. Is your boat menaced by mussels? Is algae causing you angst? The Broads Authority is looking at green ways to overcome an annual problem for boaters and protect our waterways. It is trialing a raft of environmentally friendly alternatives to toxic antifouling paint and its removal on its fleet of launches, work and trip boats. A green method of removing and containing  antifouling paint waste to prevent further pollution has been tested on one of the Authority’s steel work boats. A low pressure jet of volcanic sand mixed with water is fired at the hull which blasts the paint and any rust off. The waste mix is trapped in an inflatable plastic lagoon laid under the boat which prevents contamination running into the rivers and broads. The mixture of blast sand and paint flakes are then shoveled into bags for safe disposal in an approved landfill site. “This is a simple idea that small boatyards and sailing clubs could adopt to stop pretty nasty stuff containing heavy metals and pollutants going into the rivers,” said Adrian Kingsland, Business Development Manager of Blastgreen, of Seething. “The wet blast machines have a wide pressure range which can be adjusted to suit all types of boats from steel to wood and GRP. The jet blasting gives a good surface key for reapplication.” The environmentally friendly method has a jet of about 90 psi and uses less than 1 litre of water a minute compared to 2,500 psi and 16 litres of water a minute used by a car jet wash. Dan Hoare, Broads Authority Waterways Conservation Manager said: “Containing antifouling removed from hulls and prevention of pollution in the Broads is a responsibility for all boatyards and clubs. We are very impressed with the efficiency of the wet blasting, how little water it used and the ease with which the waste was able to be cleared up.” The equipment is used by local authorities to remove graffiti and painted lines on roads as well as by marinas, naval dockyards, and building services. It is exported to the USA, Europe and the Middle East and is available both for purchase or hire. www.blastgreen.com The first UK trial of a new environmentally friendly anti fouling paint has been given the thumbs up by the Broads Authority. One of its navigation ranger’s launches was lifted out after a year patrolling the brackish waters of Breydon Water having been painted with a ‘revised’ Seajet Speed to reveal a good as new hull free of algae and fouling organisms. The non-toxic, silicone based hull coating, not yet on the market, was specially imported by Marine and Industrial LLP of Worstead, North Walsham for preliminary testing with the Broads Authority. The coating was applied last winter by Goodchild Marine of Burgh Castle. Dan Hoare, Broads Authority Waterways Conservation Manager, said: “This revised product has more than met my expectations. The boat has come out almost as clean as when it went in. We are delighted to be able to showcase the new technology in hull coating that doesn’t require toxic ingredients to keep the hull fouling free.” Steve Pierce, manager of Goodchild Marine, said: “I’m very impressed. It’s the best I’ve seen any boat which has been painted with a silicone based product.” The hull had to be completely stripped down to its gell coat, followed by application of epoxy primer, two coats of coloured undercoat and two to three layers of transparent silicone top coat. While there is the additional  preparation with this system, it is expected that no further work will be needed for at least three seasons. The system works on the basis that fouling finds it very hard to anchor on to the slippery silicone surface, and if it does it becomes dislodged when the vessel begins to move through the water. Further testing is required and the Broads Authority is considering applying the coating to another of its launches next winter. Rob Mace of M&I stressed that the system is not being marketed as a DIY solution and that application will eventually be via one or two nominated professionals. Initial prices will be available within the next 12 months. The Broads Authority routinely applies an environmentally friendly peroxide based underwater paint which deters algae to its four trip boats, navigation ranger launches and work boats. This is an alternative to traditional antifouling paint which can cause environmental problems.