Four closures in one day

Published: Wednesday, 21 April 2021

THE waterways are falling like nine-pins, with four failures yesterday, Tuesday.

Yesterday the Ripon Canal was closed at Oxclose Lock (3) with a cill failure and the lock unable to fill, with investigations taking place to ascertain what repairs are needed, Keith Gudgin reports.

Unable to swing

Another failure yesterday is the Selby Canal, with its Swingbridge, that has been dogged with failures for many months once again unable to swing.

Then there is the Hertford, that luckily is of no great significance except for the boats moored on the short canal.

And finally the Oxford Canal, that is of significance, with a 'structural failure' at Marston Doles Bottom Lock (15) with the one remaining paddle on the offside top gate broken causing the lock to become inoperable.

Quick result

But the number of boats at present on the waterway prompted a quick result, with it very quickly repaired and the waterway now reopened.