Timing and Canal Closures
The weather has potential effects on excavations (e.g. drying/ desiccation of clay materials in summer, softening and frost damage in winter), and construction materials such as puddle clay, which can be difficult to store and handle whatever the weather.
Timing of the works will need to take into account the wildlife species present. The works should be phased to take account of disturbance to nesting birds and hibernating animals if these are thought to be present on site.
It should be noted that the connection to the waterway, unless agreed otherwise with BW, will need to be undertaken in dry conditions. This will require the use of temporary works and / or a pre-agreed canal closure / partial closure to create a dry working area. Consideration should be given to this in the programming and pricing of the works.
If the scheme will require a full closure of the canal, this should take place within our stoppage period which is between November and March every year (some waterways can only be closed for shorter periods). To facilitate that, you must have informed us no later than 1st March of your intention. If customers are unable to submit the information by this date you are still able to submit your request but we cannot ensure that you will receive the stoppage
All direct costs attributable to the closure will be met by the developer. (Direct costs may include, but are not restricted to, the following: access, signage, fish rescue, installation of dams, de-watering, over-pumping, footpath diversion, decommissioning and reinstatement of site).
We publish a national programme in advance of the stoppage period to give sufficient notice to our boating customers and businesses and agree stoppages to be included in the programme in the preceding summer. We finalise dates by considering traffic patterns, other nearby stoppages, alternative routes and the key national 'through routes' which are kept free of closures.
Any closure must be of minimal duration and we may request certain conditions such as weekend opening or overnight working on longer jobs. Our standard stoppage tariff will not apply to marina connections, providing the closure is within normal stoppage programme and completed within the agreed time period. In the event that the developer may overrun the agreed stoppage period, the prior approval of British Waterways MUST be obtained and if approved, charges will be payable by the developer as per the 'Code of Practice for Works affecting British Waterways'.
Lay-bye marinas
Where the applicant proposes an artificial or clay liner, it is not possible to construct a lay-bye marina without a significantly longer closure than that normally required for a standard marina connection. It will be necessary for the applicant to satisfy BW that the proposed works affecting BW can be completed within the designated Stoppage Programme.
Do you need a Full Closure of the canal?
A Full Closure of the canal can only be entered onto the Stoppage Programme when all the following criteria are met:
- A planning application has been submitted, or planning consent has been granted
- Ground conditions will not allow works, within the canal, to be undertaken 'in the wet'
- The navigable channel cannot accommodate one-way traffic for the duration of the works within the canal.
At the earliest possible opportunity, the applicant is to confirm / establish the following:
1. Planning Status
Only where the applicant has submitted a planning application, or where planning consent has been granted, will a request for a full closure of the canal be considered for inclusion within the Stoppage Programme.
2. Ground Conditions
A simple ground investigation should be undertaken to establish the ground conditions throughout the site, and immediately adjacent to the proposed marina entrance. Advice from a geotechnical engineer or other suitably experienced person will be required at this stage.
Typically, trial pits should be excavated to 1m below the proposed marina bed on a 50m grid throughout the site. The trial pits should not be closer than 6m to the canal edge (or bottom of the slope, where the canal is on embankment). The applicant must ensure the findings are recorded (photographs and samples of soils, stored in sealed containers, can be useful where further analysis is required). This simplified Ground Investigation will help the applicant determine the following:
- a general description of the material within the ground affected by construction
- whether the material is consistent
- whether ground water is present.
Where the ground investigation reveals a naturally occurring, homogeneous, plastic material (free from material such as sand, stones and organic material), then it is likely that works within the canal can be carried out 'in the wet'* i.e. A full closure is NOT required to complete the works within the canal.
* It will be necessary to carry out a more comprehensive analysis of the ground conditions to verify that the clay complies with BW Clay Specification, and to establish soil characteristics for design purposes.
3. Navigable channel
A survey of the canal should be carried out to determine the depth of water, profile of the canal bed and width of canal. The survey will help the applicant to determine the following:
- The navigable channel available within the canal
The survey will assist the applicant to determine whether the navigable channel is capable of maintaining one-way traffic during works within the canal. The applicant must consult with BW prior to this operation and a suitable method statement will be required.
Lay-bye marinas
A lay-bye style marina will usually require a full closure of the canal, to carry out works within the canal, unless the applicant can assure BW of the following:
- Ground conditions are suitable i.e. clay is present throughout the site that complies with BW Clay Specification, and
- The navigational envelope (i.e. the navigable channel available within the canal) can support one-way working for the duration of the works within the canal, and
- The integrity of the canal is not compromised by the proposed works.
Where all of the above conditions cannot be satisfied, then a full closure is required to complete the works within the canal.
