Not such a happy Christmas for boaters
STOPPAGES, in addition to the winter works, are making it not such an happy Christmas for those boaters that want to spend their holidays on the waterways.
The Kennet & Avon is closed from Hanham Lock 1 to Wash House Lock 10, Keith Gudgin reports.
It is still a 'lot of debris' from the last storm that has built up around locks and lock landings, with the waterway closed.
The Leeds & Liverpool Canal
Leeds & Liverpool Canal is still closed at New Lane Swing Bridge 31 due to a broken safety barrier.
And though contractors have attended and removed the broken barrier they have been unable to source a replacement.
There is a chance however of an assisted passage through the locks, today, Tuesday, but no times given but the telephone number at North West Customer Service team is 0303 0404 040.
Another stoppage
Leeds & Liverpool Canal has another stoppage, this time a broken cill on a lock, but not told at what lock, only that it is between Newlay and Kirkstall.
Engineers have visited the site and discovered the concrete cap on the cill has lifted, so stopping the gates holding water.
A dam and scaffolding will now be needed, so a stoppage is in place until the repairs are completed, with work starting in the new year.
Another bridge failure
This time it is the Top Lane Lift Bridge 3 on the New Junction that is broken.
The bridge is unable to lift it being in the 'down' position and so is open for road users but of course closed for boaters. We are told that mechanics have been out to establish the cause which they find is an hydraulic failure, but have not repaired it.
Power to the bridge has been switched off but the mechanics should be on site today, Tuesday, for a further attempt.
Loco Lift Bridge
THE SAGA on the Huddersfield Broad Canal of the Loco Lift Bridge 17 still continues, with it still not repaired.
But there is a chance to pass through between 9am and 11am on Friday 3rd January, by making a booking by calling 03030 404040 on Thursday 2nd January.
Opening the bridge manually is a a very heavy operation we are told, so it can only be opened for boats with bookings, but in between those days it will not be lifted for boats that have not made a booking with the customer service team.
The good news
THE GOOD news is for boaters on the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal as its Talybont Drawbridge, that failed, has now been repaired and the navigation reopened.
LATEST—Our Keith Gudgin has just told of another stoppage on the Leeds & Liverpool, but this time not a breakage. A car took to the canal at Coxhead Swing Bridge 20. It seemingly missed the bridge and took to the canal instead. It is now a police incident.