Waterway stoppages pile up

Published: Tuesday, 03 March 2020

IT WOULD appear that the lack of maintenance over the past few years is having its effect, with more waterway stoppages announced.

Three closures were announced yesterday, (Monday) Keith Gudgin reports.

The Kennet & Avon Canal is closed at Padworth Lock (96) at Adermaston owing to a structural defect 'until further notice'.

Structural failure

This time it's a 'structural failure' that closed the Caldon Canal at Bridge 37 below Hazlehurst Locks, it now being 'unstable'.

Another bridge failure, this time Aubreys Lift Bridge (221) on the  Oxford Canal at Thrupp that is in the locked down position thus preventing navigation, but Canal & River Trust state the navigation is open!

It would seem the lack of spend on maintenance is now indeed having an effect.