The canals & rivers across England and Wales are a fantastic haven for many activities, including boating and walking holidays throughout much of the year. However, during the winter months as the waterways are less populated the trust that looks after them carry out many of the essential works that are required to keep them safe and well maintained for all to enjoy.
When Powerhire were contacted for the provision of temporary power to support some of these essential works at two key locations along the Regents Canal we were only too pleased to get involved.
The trust that looks after these waterways are responsible for maintaining 2,000 miles of canals and rivers, which are often over 200 years old, they are responsible for an enormous network of bridges, embankments, towpaths, aqueducts, docks and reservoirs and more. From improving towpaths for cyclists and creating new wildlife habitats to maintaining our distinctive infrastructure, they are constantly working to make our canals and rivers the very best they can be. It’s a charitable organisation and truly believes that our canals and rivers are a national treasure.
During the first week in November temporary power was required to support the £180,000 project to remove and repair four massive lock gates at the River Stort near Harlow. This involved engineers draining the water from Latton Lock before lifting out the gates with a crane. The cranes first role was to position the temporary power to run the pump system which enabled the water drainage from the Lock. The gates that had been there for over two decades, weighing between 2.8 and 3.5 tonnes will be refurbished and replaced, leak free.
At the commencement of the lock repairs to Latton Lock urgent works were also required to a wall to prevent its collapse near the Mile End section of the canal. Once again temporary power was required to be used for this project in association with a pumping system to drain the desired amount of water to enable the wall repairs to take place.
At each location the temporary power package; 100kVA generator, transformer and fuel tank, were delivered and connected to the pumping system by our team of rental technicians for a successful temporary power hire period.
The London Waterway Manager at Canal & River Trust, said: “The essential work the Canal & River Trust does every winter helps to preserve the living industrial history that is enjoyed by so many visitors. Today thousands of people enjoy walking, boating and cycling along the Regent’s Canal. Our skilled staff are ensuring the canal is kept in good working order for many more generations to enjoy.”
