Uncertainty over Main Drain work between Wiggenhall St Germans and Upwell after cost was ‘underestimated’

Uncertainty surrounds a major project to clear the Main Drain after “the complexity and cost of the scheme was underestimated”.

Middle Level Commissioners began desilting work in the river between St Germans Pumping Station and Cottons Corner Bridge in Upwell at the start of October.

This work is expected to return the Main Drain to its operational capacity - but in a recent newsletter, the organisation has cast doubt on the scheme due to uncertainty over funding.

Despite there originally being plans for more work after the desilting, it has now been suggested that the scheme may have to “close” when the current phase is complete.

A statement from the Middle Level Commissioners said: “Over the last 18 months we have been collecting information to give us a more robust evidence base and a much-improved understanding of the needs of the whole catchment.

“The outline business case for desilting and bank raising across 190km of watercourses and 300km of raised embankments was approved in 2021 with a cost of £23.9million funded by government grant.

“However, the complexity and cost of the scheme was underestimated. Until very recently, our plan was to complete the Main Drain desilting and deliver follow-on phases of desilting and bank raising within the total value of our grant funding by the agreed end date of March 31, 2027.

“We have been undertaking, and had planned, further surveys and assessments to rescope the next phases.

“Our scheme is part of the Environment Agency’s national flood risk management investment programme. However, due to inflationary pressures across the programme, funding availability is now uncertain.

“This means we are unable to move forward efficiently with confidence to deliver to time and budget. We must use public funding wisely, so it is almost certain that we will need to close the current scheme following delivery of the Main Drain desilting.

“We will use the knowledge, data and information we have gathered so far to reassess our approach and together with our partners and local and national government, establish what the next investments within our system will be.”

Despite the uncertainty, on-water and on-bank teams are currently working concurrently in two locations along a 17km stretch of the Middle Level Main Drain, and will be over the next six months.

Detailed surveys indicate that up to 90cm of silt needs to be removed to restore the Main Drain to its design bed level.

The silt is removed and placed on land either side of the drain and left to dry for a minimum of 12 months, before being levelled and grass-seeded.

The section from Cottons Corner to Three Holes Bridge and Aqueduct to Mortons Bridge has been completed.

Navigation along this stretch to remains open. Banksmen are on hand to facilitate boats passing by any plant.

“Our next steps are construction of crane pads at Neeps Bridge, Rungay’s Bridge, Magdalen Bridge and Peter’s Drove Bridge along with preparation of access points to the pontoons in the next sections,” the newsletter added.

“For safety reasons, we will close sections of the embankment to the public where work is actively being carried out.

“Please observe the footpath closure signs, ensure children are supervised, and keep dogs on a lead.

“We will only reopen sections of the bank when it is safe to do so. This means that even if work has finished in a section, it may remain closed for safety reasons. We will keep you updated.”

Meanwhile, teams said that during work, they have noticed a “significant amount” of rubbish and discarded items on the banks.

“We want everyone to enjoy the environment, so please dispose of your rubbish responsibly and take your litter home,” it said.