Victor tells of more delay to Anderton Boat Lift repairs

WHEN THE Canal & River Trust announced the future stoppage to repair the Anderton Boat Lift it omitted to tell that it relied on getting cash from the Heritage Fund.

The result is that the cash was not forthcoming so it now tells there will be a 12 to 18 months delay.

Later it tells work will start in 2027—two years away! Hardly 12 to 18 months, but a normal CaRT calculation, eh?

Mind you, it has to finish the current stoppage first, after which—here it comes—'once the current stoppage is complete specialist engineers are continuing their detailed assessment in accordance with statutory requirements'.

Then it goes on to tell that 'Any planned stoppages affecting the Boat Lift will be communicated well in advance, and we will be working closely with our contractors to minimise disruption to boating whenever possible'.

Tell that to those unfortunate boaters who were stuck when the lift was closed on the 5th January with a promise it would be open on the 24th but was not, and those stuck on the Weaver even told to take to the Manchester Ship Canal to get to their moorings!

Better Boating Plan

Nothing yet about that Better Boating Plan, where the trust is inviting suggestions on how to improve our boating experience. This is the 'independent' endeavour we are told when Canal & River Trust Chairman David Orr CBE, will oversee the implementation of a Better Boating Plan and the general boating issues.

There have been meetings around the country, but absolutely no release of what was said. And no Press invited.

That gives us some idea.

Where was it?

To my mind there was definitely something strange about that sunken boat that was eventually rescued by River Canal Rescue. It started with the stoppage notice stating both the Oxford Canal and Coventry canals were involved, but with no clear waterway or position mentioned.

A further notice gave it as the North Oxford Canal as did the Boaters' Update, but River Canal Rescue thanked Coventry Cruising Club for allowing the rescue team to use its yard for vehicles and equipment. It loaned a mooring rope and provided on-site refreshments.

Another conundrum was that where the boat was discovered there was no vehicular access anywhere near, yet considering the amount of equipment stolen a vehicle must have been used, with the thinking that it was stripped then towed to where it was found—wherever that was.

Descriptions

We are all aware of the many and varied excuses—sorry, descriptions—that the trust use to describe the work undertaken with stoppages.

But one, Elon Musk, whoever he is, sent up a space X rocket at the cost of a few millions or so that exploded scattering its debris all over Texas.

And the reason/excuse—it was an 'unscheduled disassembly'!

Good, eh?

Victor Swift—telling tales for 25 years