Wearing a bit thin

ONCE again we have a low pound blamed on a paddle being left open.

And yet again on the Rochdale Canal, Keith Gudgin reports.

Being told 'a paddle has been left open at lock 5, causing the pound to drain overnight,

Boaters get the blame

But as only one single paddle was supposedly left open this implies the paddles on the closed gates were not open, and only leakage could have drained the pound, but boaters too often get the blame for low water in pounds.

Already this month we had paddle problems on Lock 27 on the 12th then Lock 27 again on the 14th, making it three paddle problems in August so far.

Last month, July, there was a 'paddle blocked' on the ill-fated Lock 27 on the 22nd that seems to have its fair share of problems, then on the 26th an 'issue' with a paddle on Lock 7 closing the waterway and yet another problem on the 28th with a paddle stuck.  Making three in that month.

Looking bad

So now it was really looking bad, so time to blame boaters telling 'they' drained the pound! Another now frequent reason/excuse given for a broken paddle is 'damage', as the one on the 27th of July. again suggesting boaters.

The real reason of course is the lack of any maintenance whatsoever—causing so many failures and leaks.

LATEST—Canal & River Trust advise that 'Water levels are low in this stretch and it is currently not navigable' at Lock 5. The team will fix a hole that has developed', Keith reports.

So not a paddle left open after all...