Another lock closed to 'reduce water loss'

THE closure situation is the worst it ever has been at the beginning of a boating season, with already four lock closures announced within a week.

Yet again it is the Grand Union Canal, with Lock 9 of the Stockton Flight closed, and once again 'to reduce water loss'—exactly the same reason as given for the other three lock closures, Keith Gudgin tells us.

An excuse

There is no intimation whatsoever what is meant by the phrase 'to reduce water loss', as we are not told, but many believe it is simply an excuse for lack of maintenance, for how can work on a single lock in the middle of a nine lock flight 'reduce water loss' is difficult to understand.

Now that Easter has passed and the boating season is under way winter maintenance should be finished and the system in good working order, but obviously it is not.  Canal & River Trust state that just Lock 9 is closed, but being in a flight, obviously the entire flight will be closed Tuesday 16th, Wednesday 17th May.