Investigation planned into discoloured water in Whitehaven Harbour
The work would look at whether a pipeline could be used to divert polluted water away from the harbour
An investigation into the source of discoloured water discharged into Whitehaven Harbour could proceed – and a possible solution could be found – if an application for Listed Building Consent is approved by Cumberland Council.
Mining Remediation Authority has applied for permission for temporary ground investigation works to the harbour’s north wall.
A planning report states that, since 2022, it has become apparent that ‘ochreous water from historical coal mine workings’ has been seeping in the Network Rail owned Bransty tunnel, which is then draining via the Bransty Beck inlet culvert into the harbour.
It states: “The consequent accumulation of rust-coloured water not only causes an immediate aesthetic problem but also detracts from the character and appearance of Whitehaven Town Centre Conservation Area and the settings of Listed Buildings within it, which include the harbour walls.
“The contaminated water is also staining such heritage assets and vessels moored in the harbour.”
According to the report a taskforce is now considering potential solutions to the problem, and concepts being considered include the option of diverting polluted water out to sea via a pipeline which would be suspended from the harbour wall.
It adds: “The technical feasibility of such a pipeline is dependent on the structural suitability of the wall. Ground investigations are therefore required to understand the structural characteristics and condition of the wall. The necessary information cannot be obtained without limited intrusive investigation.
“Although temporary and to be reversed, the proposed investigative works involve physical intervention in the fabric of a Grade II listed harbour wall and therefore constitute works of alteration requiring listed building consent.”
According to the report, the proposed works are of a minor scale and temporary nature and, subject to there being no abnormal restrictions, all operations on site are expected to be completed within eight weeks.
The report states both The North Wall and Old North Wall are designated as Grade II listed structures in recognition of their special architectural and historic interest.
It adds: “Formed and extended over a series of construction phases from the 18th Century onwards, they embody the evolution of Whitehaven Harbour and the town’s emergence as a nationally significant commercial port.
“Their heritage significance is derived from their evidential value as well-preserved examples of historic harbour engineering, their architectural interest as substantial masonry maritime structures, and their historic associations with the commercial and industrial growth of Whitehaven.
“As mentioned in the introduction, only the North Wall section of this Grade II listed heritage asset will be directly affected by the proposed works.”
According to the report the proposed works as detailed in the Ground Investigation Methodolody statement include four horizontal cores in the harbour wall to 500mm deep with two of these in the adjacent section of wall at Queen’s Dock – so not directly affecting the designated heritage asset.
In addition, there would be seven boreholes – each to begin with a 1.2m deep trial pit to check for services, then to progress with a cable percussion rig until bedrock level. A rotary drilling rig then to be used to recover samples of rock core as well as two further proposed trial pits.