Previous repairs to the banks of the River Welland were made with asbestos, the Environment Agency has confirmed.
And that means the anticipated delay to this winter’s breach between Cowbit and Crowland will go on.
The Environment Agency still hasn’t got a date to start the work that was meant to start on April 22.
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency previously hadn’t confirmed the reason for the delay to the 10 weeks of work, but after The Voice had gone to press last week, it confirmed the delay was due to the discovery of asbestos.
A spokesman said: “Discovery of asbestos has paused the plan to begin the repairs to the breaches on the banks of the Crowland and Cowbit washes on 22 April.
Anyone working with asbestos has to comply with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
“Historically, asbestos piling was used as part of previous bank repairs.
“They provided erosion protection to the soft earth berm.“
The Environment Agency had previously said it can’t return the water levels of the River Welland until the breach is repaired.
It’s led to concerns over wildlife on the waterway and led to frustration from its users including the Welland Yacht Club which has had to delay the start of its season, cancel events and losing money as a result.
The club’s Andy Prior said: “The club had told us somebody would be in touch, but we’ve had nothing more as of yet.
“What we need is a definate starting date and if it will be the full 10 weeks before water levels can be raised to the correct level?
“We completely appreciate the asbestos needs to be handled with care but we are baffled how its presence was only discovered when work was ‘due’ to commence.
“The asbestos has been there for decades and is clearly visible in places.
“One would have thought this would be taken into account at the planning stage (all three months of it) not when work was due to commence.”
