Cardiff Council in partnership with Associated British Ports (ABP) are undertaking de-silting work along the Dock Feeder canal, in the vicinity of Cardiff Castle, starting the week commencing Monday 14th Oct.
This work will increase the flow capacity of the waterway. It will also reduce the risk of flooding upstream and water supply issues downstream in Cardiff Docks, caused by a build-up of silt, debris and over grown vegetation and reeds. This risk is particularly high in autumn due to increased rainfall and the large volumes of leaf litter and debris that enter the Dock Feeder canal at this time of year.
Cabinet Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, Cllr Ramesh Patel said: “The Dock feeder canal is a vital water way which if not maintained correctly could cause flooding and therefore it is important that these works are carried out.
“Ground protection will be used to minimise impact of the works to the park and we will endeavour that any inconvenience caused during the works is kept to a minimum.”
The de-silting work will be undertaken by Alun Griffiths Contractors who are currently engaged by the Council on site for the re-flooding of the historic water body called the Mill Leat on the outer western side of Cardiff Castle, which is being undertaken as part of the Bute Park Restoration Project.
A spokesperson for Associated British Ports said: “We are pleased to be working in partnership with Cardiff Council on improving the flow and capacity of the Dock Feeder. The water from the canal is essential in supplying the docks in Cardiff Bay.
“Taking advantage of contractors already on site offers a good value solution to a problem that causes issues for both Cardiff Council and ABP”.
The work is being undertaken in accordance with guidance from a qualified ecologist and will involve temporarily storing the excavated material along the canal banks so that invertebrates can escape back into the Dock Feeder, and water can drain out before it is removed from site.
Weather permitting, the work is expected to take around two weeks to complete.
