What does this year hold for the northern waterways?

THE NORTHERN WATERWAYS have seen little navigation by boats over the past four winter months.

Yet stoppages have abounded, as Keith Gudgin has reported.

Seventh failure

In reporting the Maghull Swing Bridge (pictured) closed by an 'operating fault', this makes the seventh swing bridge failure so far this year on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.  

In fact, 13 stoppages altogether so far over the past four months with one very extensive indeed and not counting the stoppages caused through lack of water, of which there were many.

Little wonder a hire company on the Leeds & Liverpool packed-up narrowboat  holiday hire—it being told too many hirers had suffered broken holidays and too often abandoned boats had to be rescued.

Suffered extensively

As to the lack of water, both the Rochdale and Huddersfield Narrow have suffered extensively in addition to structure problems.

So what will it be like over this new season as many more boats hit the waterways—both private and hire?