THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER of problems recently on the waterways.
These causing new stoppages, Keith Gudgin reports.
Walsall Canal
The navigation is closed on the Walsall Lock Flight, as Lock 7 on the flight is not operational.
The Canal & River Trust relate that this is due to the top gate having snapped. With Initial indications suggest this may have been caused by vandalism or misuse.
How on earth can a gate be snapped is not told, especially by vandals!
Lee Navigation
Cheshunt Lock 9 has technical issue preventing the lock from filling properly.
The situation is being inspected. This is the second stoppage on the Lee Navigation at present.
Lancaster Canal
Navigation through the Glasson Flight on the Lancaster Canal is currently closed, this time not a lock failure but due to low water levels.
The closure will remain in place until levels recover sufficiently for safe navigation.
Huddersfield Canal
The head paddle on the towpath side at 23E of the Huddersfield Canal has failed, with this stopping the paddle being closed.
The trust' team suspect the back plate holding the paddle may have come away from the wall.
As this is underwater it is not easy to inspect, with the pound possibly having to be drained to allow inspection.
Others
Other stoppages are in various stages of being repaired so navigations can be reopened.