10 hours ago
Filter 'temporary fix' to Whitehaven Harbour's orange water
A new filtering system has provided a temporary solution to a years-long problem of a harbour's water turning orange, bosses have have identified iron ochre getting into Whitehaven's Queens Dock in Cumbria through a culvert draining water from the Bransty railway tunnel, resulting in a discolouration to the harbour. Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners (WHC) said the "amazing" transformation to the water was "most likely" the result of a new filter installed by Network Rail in the tunnel, but it was "not yet a permanent fix".Network Rail said the system was temporary while "essential" work was undertaken, but the firm would play its part in seeking a long-term solution.
Deanne Shallcross, chief executive of WHC, said the view of the Queen's Dock with clear water was "amazing".She said: "We appreciate this sudden change is most likely a temporary effect of the work that Network Rail are doing in Bransty Tunnel and not yet a permanent fix, but it's great to see the water can indeed return to its former glory relatively quickly when solutions are in place."She said she would "love" for the filtration equipment to remain but it was currently only funded "under temporary permissions", while Network Rail carried out work on the tunnel.
WHC and other members of the harbour water task force would "continue to work hard on securing funding and confirming a permanent solution", Ms Shallcross and Workington MP Josh MacAlister, who is one of those working to fix the problem, posted WHC's picture of the harbour on social media with the caption: "Notice anything? It's not orange."
He previously described the situation as "mind-bogglingly frustrating" after a number of multi-agency meetings failed to find a solution to the problem. A Network Rail spokesperson said the "temporary water treatment plant" was in place during "essential work to upgrade the track and drainage" through Bransty tunnel in Whitehaven. They said the filter system was a condition of an environmental licence issued by the Environment Agency and would only operate for the duration of the works due to permit and funding issues."We continue to play our part with other partners involved to work towards a longer-term, affordable solution," the spokesperson said.
Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
