Drastic restrictions for Grand Union

BOATERS would be wise to give many parts of the Grand Union Canal a miss this year, with British Waterways admitting there will be drastic restrictions, including stoppages, owing to lack of water.

The Tring summit will be particularly affected with its water level being kept low all season, as much as a foot below normal, with deep draughted and wide boats being advised 'they might have problems'.  The photograph shows the state of the waterway above Marsworth this winter.

Traffic lights system

In view of the shortage of water, caused by the combined lack of rainfall and leakage there will be a new system of Red, Amber and Green routes to persuade boaters to avoid the waterways where there is a shortage of water. Boats will not be allowed to proceed if a section is denoted as red, with caution if amber and only the green routes will have no restrictions.

A single boat will not be allowed to use a broad lock, but must wait until another boat is available to share, and this will be rigorously enforced by lock keepers and/or volunteer lock keepers.

We are told that such restrictions will be in force at a minimum of 10 key points in the South East region.

Open for five hours

To add to the misery, early starters will be severely restricted with no lock movement until 10am, with late starters having only until 3pm to get though locks, as they will be chained-up except for the five hours.

These restrictions have only just been published, but it is expected that not only private boaters but hire companies and hotel boat operators will be up in arms at these restrictions, many realising that it is not just lack of rainfall but severe lack of maintenance that has caused the restrictions.  Leaking canals, lock gates and lack of dredging all combining to exacerbate the problem.

Boating businesses

To allow boating businesses to move their boats there is to be a three days 'window' when the level will be raised, to allow operators to move their boats to other parts of the system from where they can operate, though this will of course mean a loss of business.

It is expected that these restrictions will greatly affect the boat attendance at the major Crick Boat Show on the Grand Union Canal, as well as boats booked for Olympic moorings on the various waterways.