287. Removing 6,000 tonnes of muck from a canal!

[@leswallace2426]

Another fantastic video looking into fundamental issues that never get the attention they deserve...until now! Cheers David!!!

[@beavismount]

I love that insight at the end about priorities and budget: They would love to dredge it all, but "If all of our [infrastructure] failed there'd be nowhere to boat to and no water to boat on." -that is a great big-picture mindset that a lot of other industries could learn from.

[@sidneybowerman558]

Your powers of persuasion must be immense David. These guys stand there and explain to camera the why's and wherefores of what is happening, seemingly without fear or hesitation. Very well done to everyone.

[@IstasPumaNevada]

I imagine the CRT is happy for any chance to get good press coverage and explain details on what it does. It's all too easy to take something for granted because it's been working (or, for non-canal-users, not notice it at all).

[@jonathanleonard1152]

David could certainly be a broadcast journalist, but then he would be doing as he is told, who to interview about whatever. Here he can choose what he wants to show and what he finds his viewers want to see.

[@davidgriffiths4844]

Before Cruising the Cut came along David was a local news reporter for ITV in the south east of England! So there is no ‘could’ about it! 😊

[@thoughtsonnarrowboatingwit3882]

A journalist confidence and a keen interest makes David the perfect conduit for delivering this type of vlog, where amateur boating channels may not be as objective. David is particularly good at this. Brilliant, best boating channel on KZbin.

[@FrogmanAnime]

The CRT guys probably watch this channel as well. They know to who they are talking to. Any publicity is good publicity. Especially on a popular KZbin channel dedicated to the canals and narrowboating.

[@andyrbush]

As a 'retired' engineer I am fascinated by the workings and maintenance of anything. This sort of video is exactly what interests me. Thanks for making them.

[@ricklg745]

Agreed Andy, We have learnt so much about the canal network from David’s excellent videos - look forward to the next one ! 👍 RickLG

[@raitchison]

Would love to see a video on tugs like that. Would imagine they have quite a bit more power than most narrowboats as well as being set up for easier & more precise maneuvering.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Great suggestion!

[@andrewdolinskiatcarpathian]

There must be a fine line between dredging the muck out and digging out the clay liner. Lovely to see such largely unseen maintenance being carried out. 👏👏👍😀

[@josephinebennington7247]

Yes, answers please…😊

[@josephinebennington7247]

Now I see it’s answered at 4.15…a mark made on the boom.

[@26longlongtime]

@@josephinebennington7247 The boom is the first segment, the second segment attached to the bucket is called the stick or arm

[@allanmarsh1]

Given I live on the other side of the world, I have no idea why I find your videos so fascinating, but well done on another excellent insight into things that happen in/on a canal. 😀

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you like them!

[@spencernorby6075]

Hi, I’d guess…and say that you probably like watching things from the far side of the world because it makes you smarter. You have to be a “smarter” person anyway to be one who really seeks out and enjoys the awareness of things beyond your fingertips. Way to go Allan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!😁

[@NavyDood21]

I love that there is a whole range of jobs and industries that revolve all around keeping these historic canals going.

[@arkiefyler]

Thanks for another interesting vid!! 👏 "Everything costs." Ain't that the truth!! 🙄

[@for.tax.reasons]

2:49 the excavator tugging the flat barge closer is weirdly cute, like something Pixar would consider animating in anthropomorphized form

[@century2298]

Thank you David. That question was in mind the whole time. "Where are they going to dump all of that muck ?" That would be great in my garden. 😄

[@junco477]

Oh my word, part the curtain to backstage of any major production and you find amazing things. Dredging, lock repairs, canal renewal. You always give us the best glimpses into what hard graft it takes to make peaceful canal life possible.

[@duncangrainge]

When I saw the title of this video, I thought to myself he’ll never get that lot into his van😆. When I used to work at a lock, I used to hear people moaning about no dredging one week, then the next week moaning about the noise and smell when dredging was underway!

[@for.tax.reasons]

I love how you followed the narrative of the silt all the way through! Amazing to see the silt being filtered

[@hughs591]

A very interesting video, and I want to compliment you on its very good technical quality. Excellent interview and voice over recordings mixed with just the right level of FX and music. Technically better by far than a glitzy production I watched on one of the national channels this evening. Oh, and your pictures were great too!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you so much! 😀

[@baldmaggots]

I always like the drone shots, really compliments the story.

[@philippankhurst6680]

First class job, as always. Good to hear the 'shallow moorings/gangplank' issue explained to the wider world.

[@marksaunders4149]

Yet again staggering…..the amount of work and money that goes into it all…….great vlog

[@hurnethehunter]

I have seen dredging on the canals often, but I never new when the sludge ended up. Thank you for enlightening me on this subject. Most informative...

[@davidsmith-ih2kk]

Lovely informative video David ( boy do I just love that name) Very well photographed especially the drone shots. The interviews were professional in their standard. Last but not least you were right all along David, lack of owning a narrow boat has not impacted on your youTube site. It's still brilliant and well done. Thank you for all your work and efforts on this, it's always a pleasure to see new material from you which never ends in its usefulness as watchers of your channel. Great job David ( what a brilliant name) great job well done again and again thank you for a brilliant youTube channel David. ( did I say how much I love that name?).

[@slammsonite1]

I have so missed these videos.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Cheers! I don't know why, I'm still producing them regularly!

[@slammsonite1]

@@CruisingTheCut I know.... just not regularly enough ;.)

[@mastertravelerseenitall298]

As an American, it's fascinating to see things as old (or older) than my country. Our Erie canal is a wide river in comparison. Great vid!

[@spencernorby6075]

This is a really cool video.... especially for those of us who love learning about how thing work. So.... I loved it. I really liked the spokesperson talking about how they would love to be able to dredge more and shared all the dilemmas that figure in to the dredging and use of funds. As a production it really looked at many different sides of the issue. David, very well done indeed.

[@GrahamRead101]

I’d wondered how they make sure to not puncture the base of the canal - experience and sticky tape mark on the digger arm clearly works!

[@ttgandydancer]

Quite an enjoyable and informative lunchtime watch. Thanks, David!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Many thanks!

[@ronnyskaar3737]

I am allways impressed by the work of the CRT. They have controll on their numbers, resources and priorities. Yes, as allways, they should do more at my neck of the wood, but so say all of us. But they are jolly good fellas.

[@clissold345]

That's a good video: comprehensive coverage of the job in hand, short interviews with the people organising it, lots of facts, and some coverage of CRT's dredging work in general.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Much appreciated!

[@neilrose8618]

Exellent video im one of the guys who that drives the trucks removing the dreadgings thanks for showing folk what happens mostly while the winters on and boats mostly tied up ,Neil

[@CruisingTheCut]

Cheers Neil!

[@neilrose8618]

@@CruisingTheCut thanks ive been watching you for a while i watch Andy Tidy as well i live neer Alvechuruch

[@pokechu1044]

I am a dredger driver for land and water I watched it and found it interesting even though its what I do haha

[@robertlalor8090]

Thanks for enduring -2C to bring us this fascinating video. Clearly canal management ain't easy or cheap.

[@CruisingTheCut]

I struggled on like a hero hahaha

[@2760ade]

Really pleased that most of the dredged silt goes to a good home. Always assumed it was 100% landfill!

[@paulwilliams-ob1py]

what a fantastic and informative vlog David, you may not have your canal boat anymore, but you are still interested in what is happening to the waterways, for which I am eternally grateful, so good to see all the work being done and all the new work as well, think that the river trust should have you on their payroll to make vlogs about works on the canal.. all I can say is keep up the good work..

[@dennyporter2447]

Pretty nice bit of information David... cheers!

[@vk1pe]

It's great to see that you are enjoying "mucking around" the canals.

[@hughcarson6837]

Well done David, very educational. I seam to learn something every time I watch your vlogs.

[@FJD333]

I was quite fed up when you stopped doing the cruising videos, but seeing a different aspect on what goes on with canals is very interesting. However, it's the production quality of your work which is so impressive. It's like you have a team round about you. Amazing work.. I wonder what they did before all the heavy machinery was available to remove the silt.

[@marjoriejohnson6535]

As a life long soil ammendment proponent I was interested to see how the dredging were used. Thank you for your interview skills that answered my questions. Looking forward to your next subject.

[@niklar55]

😊👍 Has no one ever heard of sonar scanning? It would be loads quicker than a stick. Interesting machine for removing the junk.

[@pauln2141]

Charging for free fertiliser? Enough said! I know the field would have to be plowed and seeded but thats taking the buscuit. Lovely video David.

[@brucew4726]

Those poor farmers!

[@leswallace2426]

Yeah I think that needs looking into, not all farmers are struggling financially, there's an awful lot of public subsidy going there way already so charging for free nutrients when they really should be taking part in the spirit of public service is a bit much.

[@jjb2004mk2]

@@leswallace2426 Subsidies are ending. And there must be some cost or inconvenience to the farmer of having all those vehicles on the land, or some other farmer would just say "I'll let you do it for free, thanks for the fertiliser." Unless they've made a canal silt disposal cartel.

[@ashleyfearon4121]

David, only you could put a 13 minute video together on dredging and make it compulsive watching. I enjoyed every moment and was even a tad disappointed when it ended. There’s probably enough material to sift through,( no pun intended), for a follow up episode on the treasures and artefacts found in the sludge! All the best.

[@vadmal5210]

These vlogs of channel maintenance is indeed interesting.

[@ColonialGardens99]

Since discovering your channel several years ago, and as an American who never knew The Cut existed until watching Peaky Blinders, ive always wondered about the dredging! Thanks for making this video!

[@davidwelch6796]

An interesting video and the camera, sound and editing are first class.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Much appreciated, thank you 😊

[@Rovinman]

I love these occasional series, showing the Nitty-Gritty of what Narrow/Widebeam boating requires, in order to continue ! Would that I were a Multi-Billionaire ! ........... Stay safe ! Stu xx

[@briangarrow448]

Fascinating! I ran a small dredge on an environmental cleanup project at a closed coal mine. We had a suction pump connected to a 5 meter boom that we could lower and swing across the bottom of the pond. The spoils were pumped through a floating pipe to a cleaning facility and disposed of properly.

[@danensis]

How did it cope with shopping trolleys and motorbikes?

[@robg3545]

Very interesting to see a unknown aspect of the canals David, thanks.

[@andrewstrathdee1469]

Yet another fascinating video about one of the less publicised activities on the canals, so thank you David for creating this record of the CRT's work. Keep them coming! Best wishes and Happy New Year in your new home, A.

[@omvaren]

A clear view on muddy waters!

[@onedaymoreaboard]

Love your ‘how do they do that’ videos. All those things we wonder about as we are cruising along, like why are we not able to moor close to the edge, and where does all the dredging muck go, and you answer them for us 😊

[@lukeellard9632]

Nice to see you again!

[@Lurker1979]

Thank goodness we have modern equipment. Can you imagine doing this before modern construction equipment? WIth hand shovels etc.

[@andyshap]

I really enjoy these "peek behind the scenes videos". Thank you!

[@billbrydon3725]

I am continually impressed with the people from the Canal & River Trust.

[@thoughtsonfitness3249]

-6 on track last night David, I have a low draft on my boat, as much as I love the Ashby for example; occasionally one becomes grounded. The whole navigation needs doing in my view, but the cost of removing the silt to dumping sites can be very expensive …. It’s so much like railway David, I’m currently out renewing track and installing Overhead Line …. I love it.

[@isobelchapman9548]

Extremely interesting vlog David, as always. Thank you so much.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@peterforan5982]

Thank you. Chartering narrowboats very popular with Canadian tourists to UK👍

[@watersrising8044]

Fascinating video. So very important to educate the public and other boaters about the work the CRT does to keep the canals working.

[@TishyLane]

I used to live in Newbury, the K&A ran along the back of our garden. One day in late autumn we noticed the water was rising and quickly engulfing the very long garden. It turned out that a huge raft of watercress had caused a blockage under a disused rail bridge. A group of us went armed with various cutting implements to break up the cress. There was so much trapped in the narrow space, six or seven people were able to stand on it to work at breaking it up. No diggers for us 😢. Great video. The Canal and River Trust are missing a trick or two, all that silt could be bagged up and sold to allotment holder and gardeners instead of having to pay the farmer to fertilise his own land.Thank you David for a very enjoyable video.

[@freddypflugbeil6]

Looks like you guys are having fun on the cut again. Thanks for the show From New York

[@Victoria14357]

Very interesting, I never would have guessed it took soo many steps. Thanks for sharing.

[@Only-one-life-68]

Hopefully the CRT gets its well deserved funding from 🇬🇧 Uk government. The CRT and it’s people/volunteers really do a great job as our canals are a huge benefit towards the peoples wellbeing.. Thank you for this video.. I leaved in rugeley with the canal “Trent and Mersey” at the rear of our garden for 27 years at the bend of the bloody steps.

[@bjw4859]

As a landscape gardener I know the value of the silt that comes from dredging, I'm in Queensland, Australia, & most of the canal estates are made from re claimed soil via dredging, it's also great for adding nutrients to crappy soil, so looks like you have an endless supply, well done.

[@BdManus]

Excellent video, very interesting about how canals are dredged.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thanks!

[@Temptation666]

Very interesting. Great video as always David. Thank you ❤

[@rmk]

Another great informative video, thank you David. You nicely included one of the questions that is often asked by boaters too. Thanks!

[@steveweave2797]

That was an excellent explanation of the dredging that goes on in your canals... Great job David!! Keep 'em coming. Cheers from Tennessee, USA

[@japrods1]

Another comprehensive report. Thanks. It’s a problem we also face on Scotland’s lowland canals. There just isn’t enough money for the dredging that’s needed.

[@doncates2954]

Wonderful video, lots of helpful and interesting information.

[@mishkawp8200]

Very interesting and educational. Thank you!

[@for.tax.reasons]

1:26 the narrowboat really puts into perspective the scale of the dredging wow!

[@paca_bill4863]

Another excellent presentation, David. It's almost like you've done this a time or two :) I'm sure that the CRT is getting hammered with the diesel fuel price increases, like everyone else. And in an equipment-intensive project like this, that means a reduction in the footprint which can be dredged, but I'm assuming they are trying to be the best stewards of the moneys they receive.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Cheers

[@timalves322]

Fascinating, You rarely think about what goes on behind the scenes or the cost of upkeep.

[@christopherestrada8576]

It always amazes me how old the U.K. canal system actually is! My country, The U.S., was founded WELL AFTER many of these canals were built! It’s any wonder why the canals haven’t been declared a world heritage “site”. Hopefully one day I can see for myself the unique splendor that is the canal system. Until then, stay safe and warm! Cheers!

[@loki7441]

Very interesting. Good to see the silt being used as a soil conditioner. I was thinking that before it got to the section of the clip about the field. Its a pity the water authorities who look after reservoirs dont do something during drought periods like last year. Beneficial in a lot of ways, silt for the land and more importantly X amount removed from a reservoir is X extra capacity for water t be stored. and much easier to remove than a canal. Who was it said "Theres money in muck lad" Good video , keep 'em coming.

[@stuartfeen9236]

David, I love your new programs telling us about the canal structures, maintenance, and finances. Most excellent, as usual.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you 😊

[@katherineroyal423]

I have wondered about dredging for awhile. Particularly how they dredged without ruining the clay protective layer. Thanks for this.

[@CruisingTheCut]

👍

[@dmcarpenter2470]

Very informative video, I was wondering if they would use the silt on fields. Glad to see they do. After all, what we call 'bottomland' in the States grows well, because it has been built up by silt, due to flooding waterways. Seeing the machine screen out the larger bits of detritus was something to see. Thanks.

[@CruisingTheCut]

😀

[@mjallenuk]

Unusual for you not muck about with the title. Interesting stuff mind... Not sure that bike would make it to a restoration show anytime soon 👀

[@NeverlandSystemZor]

It is amazing they could and did dig those and shape them BY HAND. That had to be a simply staggering amount of labor and investment.

[@wdhewson]

A fine documentary, and knowledgable supervisor in the yellow vest. Well done.

[@nathanisip]

Really love these features that you do David, they make me fall more in love with the waterways! Great to see the work being done to support and maintain the canals.

[@roberthagood4770]

That was some very good information.

[@emileviljoen]

Thank you for a top-quality production, David. Such a pleasure to watch and learn.

[@avidviewer1]

That was an incredibly interesting and educational video. I really enjoyed it. Thanks so much!

[@tristonrussell]

Thanks DJ! I kinda wish more news packages had "cheerio" as their "standard outcue" 😂

[@CruisingTheCut]

Hahahaha me too!

[@barbarataylor1535]

Wonderful information for me across the pond, thank you David

[@Spider2point0]

I am in love with that small little narrowboat-tug; it's so tiny!

[@annwagner5779]

Fascinating! Thank you so much for illuminating the labor-intense process. It’s a shame the CRT can’t make money from the muck, but I don’t suppose farmers will ever pay for enriching a field they can’t use til the CRT is done putting mud on it.

[@jonathanmorgan1882]

Where there's muck there's brass...car tyres, shopping trolleys, pushbikes and kitchen sinks

[@alanjackson4646]

Another superb documentary, with great ambassadors for the CRT. AJ

[@kcwheeler6403]

Nice job ....your documentational work on the canal's inner workings is outstanding! Happy New Year !

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you very much!

[@jamesdavis5096]

You are doing a great deed for the canal and river trust. I have a feeling people all over the world including myself will donate to this cause.

[@garphykeks]

Wonderful documentary David👏👌Very eloquent 'workies' too🤣🤣

[@Terryb31]

Thanks David, I often mutter to myself about having to use a gangplank when I was (like now) moored off grid. I like being out of the busy areas but at least now I understand why I can't get close in.

[@newenglandergray3002]

Very interesting and professional, David. Keep it up!

[@IndigoDVW]

Hi David.... Another informative video. Can't help but wonder why or if suction dredge technology is used to clean the 'slime'. Seems to me may be a more efficient, quicker, and possibly a more cost effective method?

[@CruisingTheCut]

I think it would get bunged up by all the larger detritus

[@IndigoDVW]

@@CruisingTheCut You maybe have to follow the suction dredging with a rake device, like dredging the seabed for the human garbage.

[@Saul1337Ftw]

Having done a similar job it's a double edged knife for the farmers, yes you're receiving a product that benefits you for free but as expected there will be trash and other unwanted/harmful materials within the product. That is why (most) want to see money before you can spread it on their lands, I have walked the fields after we spread our Bokashi only to see that the land was full of plastic wrappings and grounded up pieces of aluminum cans. I haven't watched your videos in almost a year but after this one I will be sure to catch up again, hope living on land again is doing you well David hehehe.

[@MACMoneU2]

“That’s what gang planks are for.” 7:09 sounds like someone has heard about that issue more than once. 😂 Also this is a true Sisyphean task if ever. Enjoyable and informative as always. Cheers!

[@mebymyself2816]

Mix in with what the CRT said with the stuff that the magnet fishermen pull out on a daily basis - live hand grenades, clips of .303 and other sizes of small arms ammunition plus various calibres of anti-aircraft shells etc., and you will see some sections of the waterways have not been touched from during WWII.

[@davidhodkinson5164]

Very interesting, things you don't know about and the costs ,more please David👍

[@robertrenwick4951]

David, I am pleased you still have great interview/reporting skills. Thank you. Happy new year.

[@rebeccadees2300]

Wow .. thank you for sharing this.

[@castingshadows282]

Having a basic idea of where canal waste mud was used. I had often thought of how it were filtered before applying it to farm land as a natural source of fertiliser. Just how much of this waste was sometimes accidently and sometimes deliberately dropped into the water is unimaginative to believe just how much lays beneath . Thanks to this very much informative vlog I now know how. Excellent vlog David. 🖖👍