Temporary fix for Whitehaven Harbour's long-running water quality problem
Tests have identified iron ochre entering the harbour from a culvert in Queens Dock, which drains water from the Bransty railway tunnel.
This has caused the water to be discoloured since the end of 2022.
The discoloured water in Whitehaven Harbour pictured earlier this year (Image: Newsquest)
A task force group made up of organisations including Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners, Network Rail, The Environment Agency, the Mining Remediation Authority, Cumberland Council and MP Josh MacAlister have been working to find a solution to the issue.
Network Rail is currently carrying out upgrades to the track and drainage through Bransty tunnel and a temporary water treatment plant has been put in place.
Deanne Shallcross, CEO of Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners, said this had most likely caused the 'sudden change' to the colour of the harbour water but stressed that it was not a permanent fix.
She said: 'We'd love the filtration equipment to remain for the long term but we know that Network Rail only have enough funding to do their own tunnel work and are operating under temporary permissions from the regulators while they complete this project.
'Meanwhile, MP Josh MacAlister and everyone else in the harbour water task force, including our own team members, continue to work hard on securing funding and confirming a permanent solution. It really would be wonderful if this could happen quickly enough to avoid a return to the discolouration once the tunnel work finishes.
'A huge thank you to all those involved in helping to tackle this issue, especially Josh.
'We've also been asked about clean-up plans already. Again, just to reiterate this current change is not expected to be permanent. A full clean-up project will not be easy, or cheap, and needs to be carried out at the right time, but please be assured it's another of the considerations that's being looked into.
'As for now, like many others today, we're enjoying seeing fish in that part of the harbour for the first time in a long time.'
The water in Queens Dock is currently clear after years of discolouration (Image: Colin Johnston)
Josh MacAlister, the MP for Whitehaven and Workington, said: 'This is a result of the filtering equipment put in place by Network Rail while work continues in the Bransty tunnel and is not the permanent solution we are working towards - but it shows what it will be like.
'I'm working very closely with Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners, Cumberland Council, the Mining Remediation Authority, the Environment Agency, Network Rail and the Government to get that work concluded as quickly as possible.'
A Network Rail spokesperson said: 'During our essential work to upgrade the track and drainage through Bransty tunnel in Whitehaven, we have put a temporary water treatment plant in place. This measure is a condition in our environmental permit issued by the Environment Agency.
'The plant is only in operation while the railway improvements are taking place due to the temporary nature of our permits and funding constraints. We continue to play our part with other partners involved to work towards a longer-term affordable solution.'
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