Entire Kennet & Avon Canal restricted

ANOTHER waterway that will face severe restrictions after Easter is the Kennet & Avon Canal, due to 'limited water availability'.

After the holiday period the whole of the waterway from Bath to Kintbury will be restricted to use of just a few hours a day, opening late morning and closing early afternoon, though at present no definite times have been issued.

Open during Easter

There are already restrictions on parts of the waterway, with reduced lock usage, but it is hoped to keep the waterway open during the Easter period.

After then, navigation will be severely restricted to conserve water, but we learn that gates will not be locked, as British Waterways no longer has the man-power to chain the entire heavily locked waterway, but that boaters will be expected to adhere to the time restrictions.

Unlikely to be adhered to

However, with the waterway home to many hire bases, it seems very unlikely that the opening times will be adhered to, that will of course cause a problem, that we are told will result in some locks being chained-up.

Should the situation worsen, 'it may be necessary to extend the extent and duration of any restrictions', particularly the Kennet could cause problems that may mean closing the navigation.

There are a number of steps that boaters can take, including sharing locks and ensuring that paddles and gates are closed as directed.