The 'Wink' on the blink!

IT IS SOME TIME since the Winkwell Swing Bridge 147 on the Grand Union failed.

This being the first time this year, but it has failed now, Keith Gudgin reports.

At one time it was out of action time after time, hence the 'Wink on the blink' when reporting it.

This time we are only told that it has 'failed' and a repair is not possible until Wednesday 28th May, so unfortunately the bridge is inoperable until this repair is made.

Huddersfield Narrow

The Huddersfield Narrow is still unavigable through lack of water. It was way back in March that the locks 1E to 5E were closed through lack of water then came the 1st May this was extended from locks 1E to 1W—the whole canal!

Now we are told that despite the team's best efforts to preserve water and maximise all the water feeds into the canal, the prolonged dry spell means water supply to the Huddersfield Narrow Canal is unsustainable at current level, it stating:

Suspending navigation

"With no discernible rain forecast, and thus little prospect of improvement in the medium term, we will be suspending navigation on the canal until further notice from Lock 1E to Lock 1W. This decision has been informed by the following:

"Yorkshire Water is reducing water supplies to the canal; prioritising drinking water and river compensation feeds."

It was a reservoir that was important for water to the canal that was sold-off, that is causing such problems.

With both the Bridgewater and Macclesfield canals closed with breaches and the Huddersfield Narrow closed, this means the only passage to and from the northern canals is by the tidal Trent, that many will not venture.