09/08/2005 - The two ancient
watercourses beneath the historic Somerset
city of Wells are being assessed for their
modern day abilities to carry floodwater by
the Environment Agency this week.
The Environment Agency took over the management
of both watercourses from Mendip District
Council on April 1, 2005.
The inspection of the smaller culverts is
done by remotely controlled CCTV equipment
in the form of a camera on a small-wheeled
buggy attached to a long cable. Larger culverts
are accessed by a team of confined space-trained
engineers with gas monitoring equipment and
occasionally breathing apparatus.
The culverts are being assessed for their
condition and how able they are to carry floodwater.
This is critical to the Environment Agency’s
management of potential flooding from St Andrew’s
Stream and the Keward Brook.
Later on this year the information gathered
will be used in a joint project with Wells
Town Council which has secured the services
of the crew of the Royal Naval vessel HMS
Somerset to clean up the watercourses in the
city during their shore leave.
Richard Bridge from the Environment Agency,
who is working on site all this week, said:
"We will be looking for blockages which
may increase the risk of flooding as well
as any structural defects which need repair.
Much of the Wells culvert system is of significant
age and historical interest and it is likely
that we see some interesting structures dating
back through the history of milling and other
industries in the city."
Environment Agency officers will be available
for photos on Wednesday August 10 between
9.30am and 10.30am. They will be inspecting
a culvert that leads from the Bishop’s Palace
Moat under the Town Hall beneath several shops
and businesses (one of which has a glass floor
through which the inspectors could be seen).
Please telephone Richard Bridge, Technical
Specialist, on 07870 641971.
