24 hours notice to get through Keadby Lock

INFORMATION has been published by Canal & River Trust that 24 hours notice is now required for passage though Keadby Lock on the tidal Trent.

Like many boaters we have been held up at Torksey Lock owing to adverse conditions of the river, resulting in arriving at Keadby much later than booked, so what happens now?

No practical moorings

There are no practical moorings on the river at Keadby, and once we were 'splattered' onto a gravel barge outside the lock and spent a few very uncomfortable hours before being allowed through.

If you also need to book entry at West Stockwith on the Chesterfield as well, you will not be able to escape there, which leaves only the jetties at Gainsborough where the river flows extremely fast through the narrows. The picture shows the Aiger at West Stockwith.

Little thought for boaters

It is of course all about cutting the hours of the lock keeper, with obviously little thought for the boaters on what can be a very dangerous river especially at high Spring tides.