Still piling on the stoppages
SEPTEMBER saw 27 'Navigation: Closed' notices issued by Canal & River Trust.
Meaning of course that 27 waterways were closed to boaters at one point or another, preventing progress.
The list
1 Kennet & Avon—Aldermaston Lift Bridge for 'essential maintenance'.
2 Kennet & Avon—Benham Lock that 'sustained damage'.
3 Regents Old Ford Lock—'breast post snapped by impact'!
4 Lee Navigation—Old Ford Lock closed as sluice not working.
5 Kennet & Avon—Aldermaston Lift Bridge requires maintenance.
6 Erewash—'vandals' responsible for low water.
7 Witham—Boston Lock closed for necessary repairs.
8 Ashton—reduced water levels.
9 Cobblers Lock—'sustained damage'.
10 Old Main Line—heel post failed.
11 Lancaster Glasson Branch—low levels of water.
12 Grand Union—Hanwell Flight has defective paddle.
13 Ripon—low water level.
14 Kennet & Avon—Padworth Swing Bridge power failure.
15 Leeds & Liverpool—Warehouse Swing Bridge mechanical failure.
16 Severn—Upper Lode Locks gates need lifting.
17 North Stratford—Lock 2 out of cup.
18 Birmingham & Fazeley—Lock 7 emergency repairs.
19 Lee Navigation—hydraulic failure Lock 12.
20 Ouse—Boothferry Swing Bridge unable to open.
21 Trent—electrical fault at Stoke Lock.
22 Erewash—low pounds.
23 Leeds & Liverpool—Maghall Swing Bridge electrical fault.
24 Kennet & Avon—Ufton Swing Bridge power outage.
25 Aire & Calder—Leeds Lock no power.
26 Macclesfield—Broadhurst's Swing Bridge fault.
27 Sheffield & Tinsley—failed sluice Lock 12.
Could have been more
With being away cruising for 16 days there is the possibility that some we missed, so there could have been more.
Some of the stoppages were cleared quickly by the Canal & River Trust team but others needed time to resolve when contractors were involved, often going into a week or more.