Restoration of old lock at De Goliath mill completed
With the opening of the sliding door in the old drainage sluice at De Goliath polder mill near Eemshaven, the restoration of this water inlet was officially completed today. This final act was performed by portfolio holder Jeroen Niezen of the Noorderzijlvest Water Authority and deputy Johan Hamster on behalf of the Province of Groningen. The restoration of this cultural-historical heritage site belonging to the water board is part of the implementation of the landscape program to compensate for the construction of the new 380-kilovolt high-voltage power line. TenneT will start using the connection next summer.
Cultural heritage
The old lock at De Goliath mill was built in 1878 after the construction of the Emmapolder. The lock itself is no longer an active part of the water system and has fallen into disrepair over the years. Given the importance that the water board attaches to preserving cultural and historical heritage, it was decided to restore the complex to its former glory. In addition to restoring the lock itself, the original wooden doors in the lock have been reinstalled. These were replaced by a steel lift door in the 1960s. Two lock keeper's cottages have also been added.
Landscape program
The restoration of this drainage sluice is part of the implementation of the landscape program. Network operator TenneT is laying a new 380-kilovolt overhead high-voltage line between Eemshaven and Vierverlaten near Hoogkerk. The existing 220-kilovolt connection is no longer sufficient due to the growth of Eemshaven as an energy hub. To compensate for the impact of this connection, TenneT and the province are investing in landscape and nature measures.
Financing
The water board is carrying out the restoration in collaboration with the Foundation for the Management and Preservation of the De Goliath Polder Mill Complex, Oosterhof-Holman as the executing party, and the 380KV landscape compensation scheme (TenneT and the Province of Groningen). In addition to the investment by the water board, Tennet and the Province of Groningen have also contributed financially to this restoration under this scheme.
