Statement from the Canal & River Trust
4th December 2024
The majority of the Pocklington Canal is designated as SSSI (Site of Scientific Interest) due to its wildlife value. Our charity has been carrying out important work to maintain water levels to protect the wildlife that call this waterway home. Water from Pocklington Beck feeds into the canal via a culvert which regularly becomes blocked with debris and silt. Our team monitors and maintains this water flow to protect the environment of the canal and ensure water levels are sufficient for wildlife to thrive.
We are aware of reduced water flow into the canal. Our usual methods of maintenance (to use high powered hoses to send the debris downstream and allow water to flow through) have not proven to be as effective as hoped. Over the next few weeks, we will be using specialist suction equipment to remove the debris.
As a precaution, we have carried out a fish rescue to relocate fish nearby until water levels resume and are looking to use pumps on a temporary basis to take the water from the beck via a different route until we can fully clear the culvert from debris. We hope to have regulated water flow by Christmas and will continue to monitor the situation as further works may be required.
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