Boats not responsible

I'M AFRAID I cannot agree that boaters are solely responsible for the bridge collapse on the Oxford, writes Keith Gudgin.

There may have been some collisions by boats but if CaRT had not taken all the lengthsmen off the canals then the damage would have been seen and a full collapse with all the inherent dangers to the canal users may then have been prevented.

Only lasted 10 years

One has to ask why the bridge required a rebuild 10 years ago and why has it only lasted 10 years when most of the bridges on the system have lasted around 200 years?

If, as stated, the bridge is so vulnerable to impact by boats, why is it not protected better like some of the locks are with wooden battens, crash barriers or dolphins? Why, when it was rebuilt 10 years ago, was it not redesigned, widened or moved to a better position to avoid these multiple damaging impacts?

Will it now be rebuilt so as to better avoid boats coming into contact with it? Don't hold your breath on it, CaRT will probably give the job to some volunteer ecologist...

LATEST

Both the lift bridge and the rubble have been removed from the canal, and waiting boats have been able to pass thorough, with the waterway now open.