Is it all worth it, you bet

Thursday 13 June 

Can it really be the middle of June with the English summer in full swing. Well, that's how the theory goes. In reality the lineside drainage is being put to the test with weather more suited to March. The rain has been falling steadily since Monday afternoon so what should have been a another day's bricklaying at Culvert 11A had to be abandoned as the side wall was submerged. 

With 2 of the gang away for 3 days on First Aid training, it was an easy decision to make. Alastair braved the elements to inspect some of the culverts and it has flagged up a couple of areas that need attention.   

Culvert 11A Up side, more that the trickle of last week
(Photo: Alastair) 

Culvert 11A up side outfall, the cause of the scour hole 
(Photo: Alastair)  

Culvert 11A down side inlet
(Photo: Alastair) 

The reason we need to modify the down side inlet is apparent as the water from the cess is running round the right hand side of the pipe undermining the wing wall (above). From these pictures it appears that both side walls on the open channel need to be raised. 

Down side inlet channel
(Photo: Alastair) 

Up at the Aqueduct (Bridge 9) the water was flowing well. South of Bridge 8 there is some water pooling in the cess which will need to be addressed when time permits. 

Bridge 9 up side outflow
(Photo: Alastair) 

Down side cess south of Bridge 8
(Photo: Alastair) 

Further afield, the water is flowing well, too well in some places... 

Culvert 21A River Isbourne, Winchcombe, up side
(Photo: Alastair)  

The channel built last year to stop the erosion at Culvert 33A north of Gotherington is working well, despite being lost in the vegetation

Culvert 33A, Gotherington, down side channel
(Photo: Alastair) 

With the forecast set for rain for 7 out of the next 9 days there's no doubt more areas will be discovered that need some attention.