Blunder with balance beam means long handle windlass cannot be used

OWING to the raised supporting timber fitted on the top of a lock it is now impossible to use a long handled windlass to operate the paddle.

This is on Lock 44 at the junction with the Grand Union and  Wendover Arm, with Canal & River Trust telling that only the standard size can be used. 

A blue sign?

This is surely a case for a blue sign, as it seems it will be a permanent fixture.

There are many paddles on the system where a long handled windlass cannot be used, so it is obvious that if a long reach windlass is too long then you should use a short reach one, so why such a notice? asks Keith.