StoneRoad2013's photos with the keyword: OrangeHaven

Pretty disgusted that the filtering of the Corkickle Tunnel outflow into Bransty Beck has been stopped. I presume that's on cost rather than environmental grounds ! It's almost three years since the iron oxide laden water became really noticeable. It's obvious to me, at least, that it is effluent draining from coal mine workings under Whitehaven. This makes it the Coal* Authority's [*now Mine Remediation] responsibility. Network Rail are currently [Oct 2025] planning out how they are going to fix the problems they have identified with & under Corkickle Tunnel - I suspect this is mainly flooded coal mine workings. In the meantime, and until further notice, rail replacement buses operate between Whitehaven [outside The Bransty Arch] & Corkickle Station... not my image : fair use & public information

The least polluted corner ! --- The state of Queen's Dock in mid-June 2025, a few days after heavy rain had induced Bransty Beck to scour out it's bed / culvert of the ferric oxide [Iron Ochre] that has accumulated there, especially since November 2022. Apparently, even the discharged water was discoloured and it brought with it a lot of floating debris, most of which is now wandering around Queen's Dock, at the mercy of the wind. The dock walls, and boats, are now quite heavily stained orange. . The source has been determined to be mine-water coming out of former coal mine[s] flooding into Corkickle Tunnel, into Bransty Beck and then the harbour. Network Rail are planning a three week blockade to relay the live-expired rail in the tunnel from 30th August 2025, although they are denying responsibility for the pollution, I am of the opinion that replacing the ballast will allow it to re-start "filtering" the floodwater, the affect might not be seen immediately, but I do expect the Beck to clear eventually. Getting the harbour "clean" might take longer, as the marina will [probably] need a permit to discharge the "dirty" water if they want to do it quickly. Currently the practice of having the sea-lock fully open for long periods over high tide seems to be avoided.

Some of floating "stuff" - showing the state of Queen's Dock in mid-June 2025, a few days after heavy rain had induced Bransty Beck to scour out it's bed / culvert of the ferric oxide [Iron Ochre] that has accumulated there, especially since November 2022. Apparently, even the discharged water was discoloured and it brought with it a lot of floating debris, most of which is now wandering around Queen's Dock, at the mercy of the wind. The dock walls, and boats, are now quite heavily stained orange. . The source has been determined to be mine-water coming out of former coal mine[s] flooding into Corkickle Tunnel, into Bransty Beck and then the harbour. Network Rail are planning a three week blockade to relay the live-expired rail in the tunnel from 30th August 2025, although they are denying responsibility for the pollution, I am of the opinion that replacing the ballast will allow it to re-start "filtering" the floodwater, the affect might not be seen immediately, but I do expect the Beck to clear eventually. Getting the harbour "clean" might take longer, as the marina will [probably] need a permit to discharge the "dirty" water if they want to do it quickly. Currently the practice of having the sea-lock fully open for long periods over high tide seems to be avoided.

The state of Queen's Dock in mid-June 2025, a few days after heavy rain had induced Bransty Beck to scour out it's bed / culvert of the ferric oxide [Iron Ochre] that has accumulated there, especially since November 2022. Apparently, even the discharged water was discoloured and it brought with it a lot of floating debris, most of which is now wandering around Queen's Dock, at the mercy of the wind. The dock walls, and boats, are now quite heavily stained orange. . The source has been determined to be mine-water coming out of former coal mine[s] flooding into Corkickle Tunnel, into Bransty Beck and then the harbour. Network Rail are planning a three week blockade to relay the live-expired rail in the tunnel from 30th August 2025, although they are denying responsibility for the pollution, I am of the opinion that replacing the ballast will allow it to re-start "filtering" the floodwater, the affect might not be seen immediately, but I do expect the Beck to clear eventually. Getting the harbour "clean" might take longer, as the marina will [probably] need a permit to discharge the "dirty" water if they want to do it quickly. Currently the practice of having the sea-lock fully open for long periods over high tide seems to be avoided.

Initially, my thought was that this looked as though it was a re-purposed railway buffer. It isn't, as it is too thick on the upper surface.

On her last beach walk before going home after a week in OrangeHaven, Bella has finally plucked up enough courage to be in the sea up part-way up her chest. This is a dog that would skip out of the way of ripples the size of the one to her left, week before last.

On her last beach walk before going home after a week in OrangeHaven, Bella has finally plucked up enough courage to be in the sea up part-way up her chest. This is a dog that would skip out of the way of ripples the size of the ones to her right, week before last. Much prefers a beck / river as she can drink that !

The colour of water in Queen's Dock is bright orange from the suspended ferric oxide coming in via Corkickle Tunnel and Bransty Beck. The rust [ferric oxide] is now staining the walls and hulls in this dock. No wonder that there are many empty berths here. Truly "OrangeHaven" ... Potentially, work to relay the track & replace the ballast in Corkickle Tunnel should alleviate the incoming "iron ochre" - this is due to happen in August / September 2025.

Weathered sandstone blocks in the Watchtower on the Old Quay, Whitehaven. Note the one block that's been laid "against" the grain ... The "35" plaque refers to points of interest on a self-guided walking route around the town, the details are summarised in the main plaque. Also has an Ordnance Survey "benchmark" [previously uploaded on 13Aug2024, but not published at that time] E2A - Benchmark dates to the primary levelling survey of the UK done in 1840 - 1860 ... www.bench-marks.org.uk/bm30133

This morning's tide is very high, so part of the C2C sign is underwater.

part of the local swan population, plus a load of immature herring gulls.

Incoming - two swans just landing ! 15 swans - I think three or four of them were juveniles, as in still had grey / cygnet coloured plumage. Yes, the water is still orange with "rust" from mine water, and has been since about November 2022. Some of the swans are somewhat stained, but a trip out to sea seems to get them clean again.

Queen's Dock is still this bright orange ... There's "a bit of a dispute" about what it is, where it's coming from and who is going to pay to clean it up. [IMO - it is Ferric oxide ie rust from old mine workings, probably coal. The water is draining into Corkickle Tunnel and then Bransty Beck before entering the Harbour / Marina. tbh, I think that the Environment Agency should sort it out asap - a reed bed system, but where ? - and claim some of the costs back from the Coal Authority, Network Rail etc. when the final costs are known, Previously, it would appear that the ballast in Corkikcle Tunnel was acting as a filter, so maybe the quickest solution would be for Network Rail to relay the track in the tunnel with clean / recycled ballast]