Improving waterways in Sandwich

The next phase of improvement works to waterways in Sandwich will see the Environment Agency removing silt and sediment from ‘The Guesting’ between Brewery Sluice to Strand Street to help maintain the flow of the Delf Stream and reduce flood risk to local properties.  This is alongside an ongoing programme of works by the Agency to reinstate the Brewery Sluice.

The Agency also intend to de-silt the main pond in the Gazen Salts Nature Reserve with the works expected to get underway early in 2021.

The project is being undertaken in collaboration with Dover District Council and is supported by Sandwich Town Council and the River Stour (Kent) Internal Drainage Board.

A team of fisheries, biodiversity and geomorphology specialists from the Environment Agency have approved the works.

Preparatory works

Preparatory works by Dover District Council have already started.  This includes a topographical survey of Gallows Field where the silt will be deposited, which will be supported by an archaeological watch and brief during the works.

Before the desilting can start, DDC will also have to clear the riverbanks between the Gazen Salts car park and the Gazen Salts Nature Reserve so that the Environment Agency and its contractors can access the Delf with specialist plant and machinery.

Where possible, trees will be retained by crown-lifting the lowest branches, but a number of trees will have to removed.

Ropewalk and The Butts

DDC is also undertaking additional desilting works to those waterways for which it is responsible in Sandwich.  This started earlier this year on the Ropewalk and will continue along The Butts. These works are outside the scope of the Delf Stream project and advice was sought from the Environment Agency.

Cllr MJ Holloway, said: “This is an important project that restores the Delf Stream as a historic watercourse, whilst also providing much needed flood protection to local properties.

“A project of this scale inevitably involves some disruption, but we’ll be keeping the local community informed as the project progresses.”

Local residents can sign-up for regular updates on a wide range of projects in Sandwich with Dover District Council’s ‘Keep Me Posted’ email alert service.

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