The Next Steps For The Whitchurch Canal Breach!

Added: 2026-05-28

[00:00:00]Hello everyone. So, an exciting video today. We had a great opportunity. Uh so, before I get into the uh the video itself and like I say, hopefully you do find that uh it is a good one. Uh but we were given the opportunity to walk around site today by Canal River Trust and the guys at Kia. Now, you'll see that frog there. I will explain that shortly. Uh but throughout this video, we just have a walk across site and see some really interesting things and uh even get to interview the uh project manager from CRT. Um so we get to ask him some uh interesting questions that you guys have been asking in the comments. So a big thank you to uh everyone that has asked a question and hopefully your question was in there.

[00:00:45]But uh yeah, like I say, great video and uh we've just got to the first interview now, so I'll leave you to it in a second. But hey, we got close to some track dumpers. We certainly did.

[00:00:57]>> The next one I was actually curious about this myself.

[00:01:00]>> So, how do they join the concrete section you're going to put in >> to the existing section? Like, how do they fit >> the trench sheets and that? You've seen the holes in some of the trench sheets.

[00:01:11]So, we need to replace those with trench sheets. um and how they tie it in. Yeah, I'm not quite sure.

[00:01:16]>> I was going to say it doesn't quite make sense in my head.

[00:01:19]>> I can think of ways that we could do it, but let's see what the designers come out.

[00:01:24]>> Yeah, we we need a cut off as well um on the bottom. So, obviously clay is going to be involved in that. Trench sheets are going to be involved in that. But how you tie the walls in the trench sheet to the concrete? I mean, you can actually cast >> cast >> a trench sheet within >> the concrete. So, you could create a tie in like that. Now, of course, uh because of this opportunity, it's certainly only fair. Um the donation link to Canel River Trust will be in the description of this video. Now, I do find it um important to say that they haven't asked me to say that. They certainly have never asked anything along those lines.

[00:02:01]Uh which I, you know, I respect. I certainly do respect. They are a charity after all. And uh yeah, I'm just very thankful to have been given this opportunity. Now, really quick before we walk past it, you'll see there the spoil pile. It's big. It's really big. So, um on this side, obviously, this is the uh the lowest side of it. It's a good 7 foot tall. So, I'm guessing it's got to be double that on the other side. So, you know, from the drone, I often say that it flattens things down tremendously, and it really does. But, uh yeah, actually seeing in person really does give you a different view.

[00:02:36]Now, I've also had questions about that.

[00:02:39]So that's just on the uh the side of the road uh by the compound and it's just an old building. I believe it was used for uh for farming. So nothing to worry about there. It's not terribly interesting, I suppose. Uh but you'll see here that we're making our way into the actual breach itself now. And what a view. And also what a day for it. It wasn't too hot after all. It was a bit warm, but uh wasn't too hot. But you'll see there the work they're getting up to in the background. Uh they actually stopped the uh the work very shortly uh allowing this trip to uh be had because as you can imagine they can't have the uh the track dumpers going around whilst we're actually in sight although we do get very close to them working so that was exciting.

[00:03:27]>> Are there any plans to upgrade or replace the swing bridge?

[00:03:31]>> No, we're doing some work on the abotments. Yeah.

[00:03:34]>> So they've been quite battered, aren't they? And so it is some stonework repairs, masonry repairs there. Um but no, I think this the actual lift bridge has got a good condition grade with quite a high capacity really for >> very much so >> more than it probably needs. Yeah, >> because they kept the uh bricks cuz they used that entrance and they destroyed part of that wall to get into the actual canal itself and they kept those bricks.

[00:04:01]Do you know if they're reusing them or not?

[00:04:03]>> I think I mentioned that in the beginning. Can we keep the bricks? And sometimes these bricks are so damaged and so difficult to maintain and the repair is below water then sometimes you're not getting a very good repair.

[00:04:15]>> No.

[00:04:16]>> So we if we can we will and that's why they put some to to the side.

[00:04:21]>> So of course this is the lift bridge we were on about. So no plans to uh um get a new lift bridge or anything like that.

[00:04:28]Just doing a bit of work around it by the sound of it. Now this was awesome.

[00:04:33]Now, of course, we have been um in site before a fair few times at this point, and uh I haven't been in since they've actually uh filled it in, I don't think.

[00:04:44]Um but yeah, it it's very different now.

[00:04:46]It was a little more uh dramatic, shall we say, back in the day. You'll see a few of the YouTubers there as well. And that was another fun part of the day is actually being on site uh with a few of the people that uh I spend a lot of my time with. And actually, that's a very good point. We managed to get Terry in.

[00:05:05]We managed to get Terry in on site. So, once again, massive thank you to everyone involved for sorting that out.

[00:05:12]But onto the frog. So, one of the uh the boats that's morowed up next to our flying spot. Uh she makes these little frogs and uh especially for this occasion, even got him a little hard hat and uh hive his jacket and trousers. So, I thought I'd take him into sight and get some photos of him across site. Um, and that was another thing that was just a fun experience. You'll see me there.

[00:05:38]It's got to be done. Little selfie with a track dumper. So, uh yeah, awesome to be that close. Now, here's the uh the larger excavator, the 25 ton. I keep forgetting what it is, even though it does say it written on the side. Uh but yeah, it's uh it really is a giant piece of equipment when you're up close to it. It certainly is. Now, you'll see here that uh the sides, they obviously dug down through that clay layer now. Um and it's unbelievable how much taller it is in person compared to the drone. Um, I get you a little idea here, but it's a good foot or two, probably, you know, probably foot and a half taller than I am. And as my friends will make it well known, I am a few mil shy of 6' tall. So, uh, just run up to the wall here for a little sense of scale for Josh. But uh yeah, so I'd say 7 and a half foot from the actual height of the path or the old path I should say. But once again, really lucky with the weather today as well. Um yesterday would have been a different story. But uh capturing all this machinery in the sun was a real treat.

[00:06:56]It certainly was. Now, like I say, um these trips down onto site uh should be hopefully uh every couple weeks now. So, if you think I could do anything better, um obviously it's my first time doing something properly like this. Uh so, do give me your feedback in the comments.

[00:07:15]And of course, before we uh go into the next interview segment, if you haven't subscribed already, really would appreciate if it did. And uh like I say, this will be happening more often. So, uh, yeah, something to look forward to.

[00:07:28]>> So, with the spoil being taken off site, is it being disposed of or cleaned off site?

[00:07:35]>> Um, it'll have a reuse because there's nothing really wrong with it. It's just not suitable for what we So, when we say it's been disposed, it is being disposed, but it has a value and it has a reuse value. So, it's not going to go to landfill for instance, it will get reused, >> but it's not being re canal trust. So, at the moment, anything that stays would get reused. So, we're not going to be taking stuff off site and bringing it back.

[00:08:01]>> Okay. Are you having to clean that on site or are you just using it as >> there? There is a thought that we we could clean stuff on site, but again, it's the space and it's how how much we need as well.

[00:08:12]>> Okay.

[00:08:13]>> You know, if we don't need to regrade it and rec clean it and, you know, then we we won't. But it's that balance of cut and fill. I suppose that's the one barness of the the concrete. That's the absolute steel at all. So >> yeah, that top bit has to be in a better material because the banks are steeper.

[00:08:31]>> Um because what we're trying to do is reduce the search charge loading of the new onto the existing. So it got a better factor of safety. So that material have to come in a lot less cuz it's just the shoulders and just the toe path for the offside.

[00:08:46]>> Now really quick with this segment, remember that orange stick. So that will come in useful for the uh the next interview segment. But uh yeah, once again uh it was just it was just fun. So we're just walking down toward the lift bridge again as you can see on the uh back right there. But uh yeah, it's weird to think that we are, you know, a fair few meters above the level where the uh the pool used to be uh that formed after uh Septton and Ganymede were dug out. So, uh, yeah, strange.

[00:09:20]Now, the last time that I was in this exact location, you know, I was three or four meters further down, like I say, and, uh, yeah, now it's all been filled in, and that was so long ago. There's been so much work since then. Um, it's hard to get me around just how fast they are cracking on. So, we're making our way into the culvert field now. Now, I would have loved to have gone to have a look actually at the culvert. Uh, but there was well, I found it funny at least. There was nesting birds in the trees above, so out of respect for the wildlife, didn't want to get too close.

[00:09:56]Um, but it's strange that they really reacted when we were on foot. Uh, but obviously with the machines and everything, they must be just so used to that now. But uh yeah, you'll see there the corner of the flood field where it still hasn't been dug out to that top soil. You can see the uh top soil just in the uh bottom right shot there. So they've got it right down in this area, but there's still a few feet of breach material uh in that far corner. But just showing there just how sandy that layer is. I'm so blown away uh by just how sandy it is. It really is just like being on a beach at times. See Steve there as well. I'm sure he is happy to be back on site.

[00:10:41]>> How much further down are they going to dig into the brereech itself? So we're moving the bottom half.

[00:10:46]>> Okay. So about another 5 m per.

[00:10:51]>> Yeah, >> it's a fair amount.

[00:10:53]>> So I think we've got an underside of 189 and then a 183 that sort of thing for the dig. So there's above above ordinance datam. We use everything above the board >> and that goes up to the orange post you pointed out in the video.

[00:11:08]>> Stepped up to that. That's right. That's that that's where the steps go up. So the benching we call it.

[00:11:13]>> Yeah. Yeah.

[00:11:14]>> So that benching >> the the tread or the the the riser is is trying to do that the same as the geoteexile which is 600 mil layers. So each step is 600 and I think it's at a one in 1.2 grade or something. So that the flat will be a little bit bigger than 600. So not one in one.

[00:11:34]>> So I found that very interesting actually. Now a lot of you guys will get a lot of information from what was just said, but they are stepping down how much they're digging. Um and that's on both sides. So a lot of material to be moved and uh yeah, I can certainly see why it's going to take some time. But even even then, I mean, they're still doing an amazing job. But uh we go and have a look now at the uh the weird uh manhole uh in the right side of the floodfield. So just getting a closer look at that.

[00:12:07]>> Are there any plans to improve the setup of the clever cuz at the minute with it going under the ground and it it just seems a bit unusual of a setup. Know if there's any plans with that.

[00:12:19]>> This this this is the uh not the main rivet but the other culver.

[00:12:23]>> Yeah. I don't think we've we haven't looked at that, but of course talked about the ground profile and about the seeding and the top soil and get an agreement with that. So, I'm sure the land owner will will have more history on that.

[00:12:35]>> So, if there's any improvements we we need today, we'll probably do them when we're doing the final reprofile and top soiling cuz we don't want to be going back in there after.

[00:12:44]>> So, we left the site um toward where I usually fly my drone. A lot of you guys will know that spot from the Hey, there's me. uh just allowing the work of the machines to actually crack on, saving them a bit of time rather than walking all the way back through sight.

[00:13:00]But you'll see there the uh the guys are just making their way back up to the machines. But uh just having a look where pacemakaker's nose was dragged up to just by the lift bridge and uh yeah, I'm quite surprised by how little water is actually making its way through that top down. Very little. Very little. But, uh, hey, the main event, so I'll uh leave you to it for a second just so you can appreciate the sound.

[00:13:39]So, yeah, it was very loud, but uh I loved every second of it. And uh we even get another one in a second, but uh I won't make you uh listen to that in its full glory. Uh now if you want all of this uh footage posted uh just on its own without me talking over it then uh I can sort not a problem. I understand that a lot of people will be more interested in the uh just the working environment and I totally get that. But uh yeah, if you're happy with this as well then uh like I say do give me that feedback. But uh just going to switch clips once again. So this is walking back uh toward the marina. That's where we all meet up. And you can see there the uh excavator on top of the new spoil pile. Uh it's about level um with the old spoil pile, which is why it just looks like the excavator is on the far side of this pile, but it is on the new pile. I can uh I can assure you of that.

[00:14:41]>> And then lastly, how thick is the actual concrete base going to be? Do you know?

[00:14:45]I'm going to shoot in the shoot in the dark here, but about 300 mil.

[00:14:49]>> There we go.

[00:14:50]>> Yeah, I'll take any guesses to be fair.

[00:14:53]Appreciate that.

[00:14:54]>> Thank you very much for No problem.

[00:14:55]Appreciate it.

[00:14:56]>> Okay, >> so once again, massive thank you to everyone uh that sorted this out from Canal River Trust and uh Kia Group and I know that JJF and everyone like that does subcontracting as well. So, massive thank you to all you boys and girls.

[00:15:11]Really do appreciate it. And uh thought I'd end the video off just showing you a little whirlpool uh that was being created at the marina by the pumps. Now it's a powerful setup. I can tell you that much. But thank you very much for watching. Take care, everyone.