Not a very good start

Published: Monday, 12 April 2021

IT IS certainly not a very good start to the commencement at last to boating today with no access to the Llangollen.

One of the most popular visitor waterways on the system the early Swanley Lock (1) is out of action with no access for hirers now heading for the canal, Keith Gudgin reports.

Swanley LockBrought to a standstill

This lock is just after the junction with the Shropshire Union, where boaters are able to negotiate Hurleston Flight then brought to a standstill at Swanley Lock just two miles further.

It is the damaged paddle on the lock that finally failed coming unattached, with engineers unable to carry out a repair.

Padlocked

All we are officially told is that 'our team have not been able to carry out a repair'. So the lock is now padlocked and unable to be operated.

There is no intimation as to when a repair will be likely to take place.