Dredging Update - poised to start at Whalesborough

As mentioned in earlier articles on this platform, dredging the Bude canal is not a straightforward operation. To cope with some of the complexities of the site we have divided up the dredging into zones where different methods can be applied. One of the simplest sections to dredge is near the start of the canal at Whalesborough and we are really pleased that we are now in a position to go ahead with silt removal in the section of the canal adjacent to the field known a Whalesborogh Ham. Here an excavator can access the embankment beside the canal, and there is available space to deposit arising alongside the embankment. This is the method most similar to how the canal would have traditionally been dredged, but is not possible along its entire length due to lack of available land, bank instability and the ecology of certain stretches.

Pending some final confirmation of equipment and labour availability we may be ready to undertake desilting in this zone as soon as w/c 7th November, or shortly afterwards. Land users affected by the proposal have already been engaged and this activity should not impact on any section of the publicly accessible paths.