Cornish lock row

CANAL water was used to ‘flush’ out the historic sea lock gate at Bude to clear built-up sand. The work was carried out by Cornwall Council following the driest August in 40 years and caused some controversy among local residents who were concerned about the effect on fish and other wildlife and claimed the sand could have been cleared with diggers. However the council described the sluicing as ‘essential’ and said water levels recovered almost immediately.