A red light for blue water transport in England’s green and pleasant land. A local administration has refused permission for a barge to deliver heavy industrial equipment to a river port in rural England. The load will now have to be transported by road, requiring multiple disruptions and diversions for local businesses and commerce. The dispute raises the issue of waterborne transport over road alternatives.
Fenland District Council is a local administration in the far north-east of Cambridgeshire, in the east of England. The council has refused permission for Robert Wynn & Sons to bring their heavy lift barge Terra Marique into the river port at Wisbech. The River Nene has, historically, been a significant transport artery for the town, making it once the busiest wheat port in England. However, a rather heavier piece of industrial machinery will not be making the journey along the ancient waterway.
Significant concerns with the proposed passage
According to the carriers, Robert Wynn & Sons, the sustainable delivery of crucial electricity transmission components to a site in Cambridgeshire, required as part of the UK’s transition to Net Zero, has been blocked because of a Council’s refusal to allow the oversized, heavy modules involved to be transported by water. Wynns, as they are commonly known, want to send their 80-metre-long, 16.5-metre-wide Terra Marique to navigate the River Nene to Wisbech. They say it’s a route and port officially identified as appropriate for abnormal loads.
The local Council, however, has objected and refused permission for the short voyage from a sea inlet about 15 miles (24km) to the north. The Harbour Master, says the ruling, has significant concerns with the proposed passage, as the vessel is outside of the safety standards for the Port, and there are potential risks associated with bank effects, loss of directional control, and the need for precise manoeuvring and timing to avoid damage to the vessel and infrastructure.
Best option that minimised disruption
Wynns wanted to use its purpose-built, UK Government-funded heavy lift barge, the Terra Marique, to transport the components for a Synchronous Condenser and an associated generator along the River Nene to Wisbech. In two shipments, Wynns would deliver a 164-tonne transformer and a 365-tonne generator. The alternative is a highly disruptive road journey over rural lanes and minor highways.
Fenland District Council say it has identified several unacceptable risks, including grounding, allision and other planning issues. These points are contested by Wynns. “The UK Government Department for Transport’s ‘Water Preferred Policy’ states that abnormal indivisible loads of this type should be moved by inland waterway whenever possible, to the closest port, to minimise the use of roads,” said Tim West, Wynns Company Secretary. “Because of the weight and size of the items, and bridge weight limitations, the water route to Wisbech was always going to be the best option that minimised disruption.”
Maximise the opportunities for water transport
The Council has responded, saying in a wordy ruling, that the ship is just too big for the waterway. “The beam of the Terra Marique measures 16.5 meters, which exceeds the maximum allowable beam length of 13 meters for vessels entering the port of Wisbech, as specified by the Council’s Marine Safety Management System Manual. The Terra Marique is 3.5 metres greater than allowed, and this excess poses significant risks during the navigation through narrow passages.”
Tim West says that the company’s experience (established in 1863) and track record are sufficient to overcome these parameters. ”Our work can often require a collective approach between ourselves and the navigation and port authorities,” he said. “Only last year, we worked with the Dee Conservancy to deliver large abnormal loads to Shotton near Chester, and we delivered a number of large abnormal loads to Alloa on the Forth. Both projects were successfully delivered and involved months working with the authorities to maximise the opportunities for water transport and reduce the road mileage and related environmental and economic impacts.”
Ironic road journey alternative
Fenland District Council (established in 1974) has quoted a Bye Law (a local ordinance) from 1957 to deny the proposed passage. “It is an offence for any person to take any vessel in or out of the Port in disobedience of any reasonable directions of the Harbour Master,” they say. However, in somewhat more contemporary terms, Tim West says Government policy from this century appears to have been dismissed. “As a result, an alternative plan is now in place to move the components by road from Sutton Bridge, a far more disruptive and less sustainable solution.” The disputed distance is about 7.5 miles (12km).
The order was signed by the Council’s Corporate Director and Monitoring Officer, currently Carol Pilson. “The Council have been open with the applicant about their concerns throughout the process,” says the order. “The applicant has had the opportunity to input into the decision by responding to specific concerns. The contributions of the applicant have been considered thoroughly by the Council.”
That’s not a view shared by Tim West. “We do not believe that the process that was gone through was carried through to the end,” he told WorldCargo News. “None of the findings of either of the independent consultants appointed surprised us. The risks had been identified by us and could have been satisfactorily addressed by the marine experts within either party.” The outcome will be a rather ponderous road journey with a nice view of the river, possibly down a lane, ironically named East Bank.