Boats have priority over rail

FOLLOWING my article 'What's the motive'  in which I referred to rail taking preference over boats at a bridge over the Ouse', I can now confirm that boats have priority, writes Pam Pickett.

Concerning holding boats on the tidal Ouse whilst trains cross the swing bridge,  I have received a request from those with local responsibility for the Ouse to amend this comment. Regardless of what could perhaps initially have been perceived as 'left hand—right hand' information, in the light of the local information I am now given I am of course happy to do so.

Boats have priority

To clarify, boaters are now privy to a train time-table. Here I am asked to stress that there is no argument on the part of the railway with regard to the priority of boats reaching the railway bridge and asking for the bridge to be swung, rather the reverse as Canal & River Trust also wish me to emphasise the good relations it has with the railway.

However, armed with the times of the trains if boaters are in a position to (safely of course) either speed up, or delay their approach to the railway bridge to avoid any delay to train services this would obviously be of assistance. Every little could help here, as remembering to lower an aerial or mast to avoid unnecessary swinging of the bridge would, too. Whilst our boats certainly take priority, perhaps with a little thought both river and rail could both be best served here?

Emergency use only

With regard to the abort points I previously mentioned, I am now reliably advised these are for emergencies only, and not to facilitate rail. Since Barry Wilkinson's non too pleasurable cruise on the Ouse, I am also told following long term discussions with the railway, signage is now to be put in place two miles above and two miles below Selby Lock.

The signs are to carry names of the bridges, so that approaching boaters will then be able to advise bridge keepers of their position when they reach the first board, again when they reach the second. In this way it will be easier for the bridge keepers (and lockies) to check on the progress of a boat, and to more easily estimate the time of its arrival, whilst hopefully minimising any delay to rail services.
A risk acceptable—or otherwise

Word of warning

Finally, a word of warning for any that may decide to take a punt at the tidal waters of the Trent or Ouse. Given that a lockie is seemingly unable to refuse passage to a boat he feels is ill equipped for tidal waters, thus it is the decision of the skipper to either accept or reject advice offered, it should be noted that last week alone there have already been two breakdowns, inclusive of broken steerage cables and the loss of engine power.

Both boats were I'm told lucky that nearby craft could offer assistance. The importance of boat maintenance when cruising tidal waters cannot therefore be overstressed. Whilst the emergency services have on occasion attended a non emergency, boaters should not rely upon them unless of course there is a medical emergency, or an actual risk to life. For breakdown cover boaters should therefore be looking to specialist services, such as  River Canal Rescue.