Hydro dangers to boaters

Published: Friday, 25 January 2019

THOSE who cruise the Trent will know that a Hydro Electric Plant was installed in the old small disused lock chamber alongside the current lock at Holme.

This is the first lock downstream from Nottingham. They may also be aware that in the two years of operation there have been a number of incidents involving leisure boats caught unawares by the pull of the intake, some involving damage and injury.

No risk assessment

Now Canal & River Trust is proposing a similar installation in the old lock chamber at Newark Town Lock. As with Holme, no risk assessment on its effect on navigation has been presented with the Planning Application.

In fact, one might wonder at the timing of the application, with boaters only knowing of the application by reading the notices published at the lockside, with few boats moving at this time of year.

Strangely, The IWA have not been consulted.

The full application can be found at https://publicaccess.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=neighbourComments&keyVal=PJM3H2LBH0W00 should any reader wish to object.