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Environment Agency clears giant culvert in Cheltenham |
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Thursday, 25 September 2008 |
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The Environment Agency has started work to remove silt from a 420-metre long culvert where the River Chelt flows underground through Cheltenham town centre. The work forms part of a series of works designed to improve the standard of flood protection provided by the Chelt Flood Risk Management Scheme following the 2007 flood events.
An inspection by underground CCTV revealed partial blockages and restrictions to the flow of the Chelt through the culvert which could increase flood risk. The Agency is now using specialist contractors, pumping equipment and sewer and mining specialists to remove the silt and gravel to ensure that the culvert will continue to be able to carry the amount of water that needs to flow through it during a flood.
The £300,000 project is being funded by the Environment Agency in partnership with Cheltenham Borough Council, who are contributing £50,000 as part of their responsibilities as owners of riverside land, and Gloucestershire County Council who are also contributing £50,000 as they are keen to see the project progress.
Anthony Crowther of the Environment Agency said
“Many people aren’t even aware of the River Chelt as it flows through Cheltenham because much of it flows beneath their feet. Keeping this enormous culvert clear of blockages is a vital part of our routine maintenance work to keep the Chelt flowing freely and reduce flood risk for the people of Cheltenham.
“Rivers deposit silt and gravel naturally and, over time, this builds up on the river bed reducing the capacity of the channel. It is also affected by extreme flood events, as witnessed last year, which have pushed large blocks of debris into the culvert. With a long culvert like this one, it can be difficult to get at the silt and debris to remove it, so we need to bring in specialist contractors to keep it clear.”
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