Victor wonders about the 'fantastic contribution'...

Published: Saturday, 25 January 2025

REFERRING of course to the leaving of one, Richard Parry, as boss of Canal & River Trust.

And the telling by chairman David Orr that Richard Parry (pictured) has made a fantastic contribution, chalked up many achievements and been dedicated to our canal network.

Sorry David, but auctioning-off its working equipment and getting rid of those valuable people who looked after our waterways and reported any faults—the lengthsmen, so they could be attended to immediately was neither a fantastic contribution nor an achievement.

For then it was left to contractors, who just hadn't a clue, and who ripped-off the trust with so much Monday to Friday work that certainly all too often did not need, so costing the trust as they also did with their requiring a 'method of repair' for jobs they had by then been doing time after time.

So it was then away with maintenance, that kept the stoppages away and in with 'when in breaks mend it'—that all too often came back to be mended again and again as the contractors' repairs did not last.

Under British Waterways stoppages were very rare, and then quickly reported and attended to without any 'method of repair' being needed as those people in those days knew exactly what they were doing.

So we would get just the very occasional stoppage compared with say in the very busy month of June last year 34 stoppages and in August even beating that with 35 stoppages. and some lasting month after month, the Peak Forest stoppage nearly a year. Very  likely through lack of maintenance in the first place.

The cost of contractors due to further attempts after the 'repair' not only cost a damn sight more but caused so many unnecessary stoppages for us boaters—hardly either a 'fantastic contribution' or 'achievement'...

Mind you, I will admit that it is not really known if Richard was the instigator of replacing staff with contractors or if it was others, such as a government agency that laid down the law regarding contractors—and who hadn't a clue.

A recruitment process for the trust’s next chief executive will get underway shortly.

Only right

It is indeed only right that we give Richard the opportunity to state his case concerning his sojourn at the trust.

And we do so, where he tells:

“It has been an honour to lead the trust through such a key period, working to build a sustainable future for our historic canal network, increasing the number of people benefiting from it and wider appreciation of its value to the nation. I have loved working with such committed colleagues and a rising number of amazing volunteers who together deliver the ongoing care that the 250 years old canal infrastructure demands—and making so many friends amongst those who use our canals and share our passion for them."

And continued here.

NewLaneSo back to the waterways

Back to the waterways indeed with our Keith Gudgin telling of three stoppages on Friday, even though there are so few boaters about—just the continuous cruisers and the hardy.

One of course had to be a Leeds & Liverpool swing bridge, this time New Lane Swing Bridge 31 (pictured) that is broken and of course closed the navigation.

Then it is a lock out of use on the South Stratfordthe Wilmcote Top Lock 40 that has an 'issue with gates'.

The third waterway out of action yesterday is the Regents with its Lock 5 suffering a broken gate.

I was going to list the number of swing and lift bridges out of action last year, but too much effort, so will save that gem until later.

Lift bridge repaired

At least the Green Lift bridge on the New Junction Canal has now been repaired.  But alas not fully repaired our Keith tells!

The bridge is now operational having had a new filter fitted that seems to have done the trick.

But alas, not completely, as we learn that to make the filter function correctly, more hydraulic oil still needs to top-up as it is filtered through, that will be undertaken at a later time. I hope you can understand that, for I certainly can't!

LocoBridgerestorationHuddersfield 10However, boaters are asked to just operate the bridge high enough to allow the boat through, and not to its full extent.

Perhaps should you fully open it will stick up there or worse, come down and clonk you! I reckon I would give it a miss.

But not the Loco

Alas, the Loco Lift Bridge on the Huddersfield Broad (pictures) still has not been repaired, and the way things are looking won't be for a while yet.

It was way back on 18th of November when it conked-out, and with the exception of very occasional monthly passages has been closed ever since, now over two months, and with various things suspected for its failure but all proved wrong!

So come the 12th of December we were informed that 'We are still waiting for parts to fix the Loco Bridge'. Then on the 20th December we were informed that 'We are still waiting for parts to fix the Loco Bridge'. Then come this year on the 9th January we were informed that 'We are still waiting for parts to fix the Loco Bridge'.

Then yesterday on Friday the 25th January—yes, you've guessed!

As to the long awaited parts?

Another strange one

Canal & River Trust tell that a blow has caused lock gates not to equalise, yet state the navigation is open.

But how on earth can the navigation be open if the water will not equalise in the lock chamber? Surely it will be too difficult to move a gate.

These are the bottom gales on Copper Mill Lock 84 on the Grand Union Canal our being told that 'Operations have been to site and are awaiting specialist support'. Whatever that means.

And boaters are advised not to use the lock unless necessary, that I find strange. As these sort of notices are not all that helpful for boaters, I reckon these notices need a good sorting-out. Perhaps a new regime could do that...

Good thinking

An excellent suggestion for young Eltham Sinclair who fell into the Walsall Canal Basin whilst searching his mobile.

He would be better off looking where he is going rather than looking at his phone? Suggests Martin Howes.

It was the 17 years old Eltham Sinclair asking for Walsall Canal Basin to be better lit and have rails, after he fell in, being more interested in what was on his mobile rather than looking where he was going.

walsall canal basinNotorious body of water

Walsall Waterfront is now set for improvements, our Janet Friend tells us.

For Walsall Council claim that as well as safety tape being wrapped around the moorings to protect pedestrians from falling into the Walsall Canal Basin Council leader, Mike Bird, tells that he is also looking into further safety measures for this notorious body of water that has claimed numerous victims over the years, with reports of 21 people falling in in the last couple of weeks.

Two children were taken to hospital this week alongside two adults after finding themselves in deep water at the Walsall Canal Basin—is what you would term as dangerous—very dangerous. Picture credit: Birmingham Canal Navigation Society.

It will be a long time yet

It was way back due to the storm at Christmas that a large ash tree and others were blown over and closed Woodseaves Cutting on the Shroppie, and our being told the necessary 'collaboration with our contractors, we are continuing to develop an effective methodology for clearing trees that are still blocking navigation'. was spouted.

Since then we have had to suffer various excuses concerning the removal of trees until this week we were told that contractors have 'made significant progress' in clearing the majority of the fallen trees, allowing occasional passage, but to proceed with caution during this time, with the towpath closed.

And it is hoped the navigation will soon be reopened.

Then early this week came Storm Éowyn—with we are told, just about the strongest winds ever...!

Victor Swift—telling tales for 25 years...