Maintenance Update – Bedfordshire & River Ivel IDB November 2022

Routine maintenance works were carried out as shown on the interactive map here.

The Board have completed the following –

• Desilting, and clearance works at Broom, Tempsford, Sharpenhoe, Harlington.

• Weed cutting along the Elstow Brook, Harrowden Brook, at Marston Moretaine, Willington, Wilstead, Biggleswade.

• Hand works at Marston Moretaine, Wilstead, Potton, Willington, Pix Brook, Stewartby, Renhold, Bedford, Couple, Barton-Le-Clay.

From April to June, the Boards Operatives concentrated on reinstatement works which includes harrowing of silt and grass seeding from last year’s maintenance works. As well as this, hand works were completed in high-risk areas, SuDS ponds maintained, some desilting & clearing carried over and staff completed training.

The Board continue to utilise a mixture of contractors and Boards Operatives to undertake works on the programme to make sure sufficient capacity exists and that seasonal works are completed on time. To this end, the Operations Manager undertook competitive tenders for flailing (3 contractors) and Two combined works contracts that included flailing, desilting & clearance works, which were both awarded to one contractor. All contracts were awarded in June.

Contractors and the Boards operatives started undertaking machinery works from the 17th of July. As Winter sets in, the Boards operatives will now concentrate on completing the small amount of weed cutting left over and the remaining dredging and clearing in the winter months. In addition to the above watercourse maintenance works, the Board continues to maintain flood attenuation reservoirs, SuDS ponds & inspections.

Flailing and weed cutting at Cardington & Elstow