It seems 'assisted passage' is becoming the norm with long stoppages

IT WOULD seem that 'assisted passage' is becoming all too often the norm to perhaps justify long stoppages.

There have been three such 'assisted passages' reported today, Saturday, Keith Gudgin reports.

Sheffield & South Yorkshire Navigation

Long Sandall Lock on the Sheffield & South Yorkshire Navigation, that was short of water on the 14th November, notwithstanding the downpours, is still suffering shortage of water, but  is now operating on an assisted passage basis.

This allowing boats through the lock  at 10am and 2pm with assistance as it is now in a recovery basis.

Oxford Canal

It is the opposite with Slat Mill Lock on the Oxford Canal that suffered too much water with flood damage on the 29th November.

With passage then impossible both on the waterway and towpath, but with plans underway to bring in plant and materials to undertake repairs.to the lock.

In the meantime there will be assisted passage provided through the lock between 10am and noon on Monday and Friday.

Huddersfield Broad Canal

And of course then there's the sago of Huddersfield Broad Canal that was closed at its Loco Lift Bridge on the 18th of November.

Though various attempts at repairing this have all failed, as regular readers will be aware, and alas we are told today that it has still not been rectified.

But again it's an assisted passage, but in this instance not until a week's time between 9am and 11am on Friday 13th December.

Perhaps hoping that Friday the 13th will be lucky for a change!

As to assisted passages, at least they allow boats to pass through the long stoppages, even if not too often.