The imperial drive in Pardubice will continue to deteriorate

Pardubice - The repairs of the deteriorating Imperial Canal in Pardubice would be so complicated that the city will not embark on them in the foreseeable future. The technical monument from the 16th century from the time of the Pernštejn family will only be repaired under Tyršovy Sady and there will be no digging in the old town. This was stated by the deputy mayor František Brendl (Pardubáci) to ČTK.
    "The second half of the canal will be addressed as part of the repairs of Tyršovy Sady. The culverting in the old town is in very poor condition. The original project counted on us digging up half of the old town, I think it would be very adventurous, but now it is absolutely outdated," said Brendl.
    A few years ago, a study indicated that the repairs of the canal would cost between 15 to 18 million Czech koruna. Currently, it is impossible to estimate the actual costs. The canal runs from Chrudimka, passes under the tunnel in Pernštýnská street, and flows behind the Imperial Mill, where there are open walled beds on Wernerova embankment and near St. Bartholomew's Church. In the 19th century, the canal served as a source of utility water for smaller industrial enterprises.
    "Digging under old houses would be technologically demanding. Finding a new route would be very difficult," said Kateřina Koupalová from the office of the chief architect of the municipality.
    According to Deputy Brendl, the old pipes would most likely not be entirely replaced in the future but would be lined instead. When the lock on the Elbe was built, the level of the Chrudimka increased at the outlet of the Imperial Canal, which is also a complication.
    "The higher level is visibly manifesting at Werner's Square, near St. Bartholomew's Church, and it creates problems with the basement spaces in the old town. If the canal were to be closed, the pipes would become overgrown, and reconstruction would have to be done immediately," Brendl said.
    The Imperial Canal is part of the urban heritage zone and belongs to the city. The city district I is responsible for its maintenance. Until last year, the open parts near the church and the embankment were cleaned twice a year by the Services of the City of Pardubice.
    "Sediment was removed from the tanks, banks were cleaned, debris was cleared, and a preparation was added to prevent the water from smelling and bacteria from spreading," said the spokesperson for the city company Svetlana Pozníková.