Time for rethink of Braunston blockade

MANY have complained to us of the problems at Braunston over the week-end of the vintage boat rally, and it causing a blockade of the waterway.

One respected boater, Graham Phillips, who was attempting to get to the Stop House at Braunston to attend a meeting called by British Waterways for 8.30 am on Sunday regarding licence changes for trading boats tells if his own experience:

Leave early

We decided to leave that early to attempt to get our boat through the chaos on the Sunday morning before the parade started. Leaving from the bottom lock I had already been advised to go through the marina to avoid the worst of the congestion on the main-line (as per British Waterways notification email the previous week) but still found my way blocked when I reached the other exit.

One thing your photo doesn't show is that behind the photographer was just as bad east of Butcher's Bridge—packed with ex working boats four abreast, and little room for passage.

Biting stern

Having extracted ourselves from the marina we had a clear run past the closed water point and closed Elsan disposal until we got to Bridge 91 (A45). I had a traditional tug style boat biting at my stern fender and found, as I went under the bridge, a fully loaded coal boat towing a butty coming towards me.

I decided to stop to allow them to find their own passage through but was really upset when the crew of the motor started gesticulating and shouting at me . Yes I suppose I could have carried on going but only to the detriment of my paintwork being scratched by the overhanging branches of trees and bushes.

Shut-off for a month

The whole ethos of the organisers seems to be to get as many 70ft traditional ex-working boats to attend the most congested area of the
canal network at the busiest time of the year with scant regard for other canal users' safety or enjoyment. Braunston is effectively shut off to boaters for two weeks prior and two weeks following the event as many of the boats remain on the visitor moorings taking up valuable space.

I believe it is definitely time for a re-think.