Repairs
At last, work has started on repairing the spill outflow/lock mooring below Barton Lock.
This had been a problem for boaters for many seasons as you had to moor on the water point to set the lock!
Why it has taken so long to fix; only the former manager Darren Green knows?
Routine stuff
I notice potentially damaging ivy has been removed from bridges in the Stone area. This is precisely the sort of preventative maintenance that has been lacking in recent years.
All we need now is some much needed pointing-up of the brickwork to keep the rain and frost out of the structures and I'll be a happy chappie.
Boater friendly?
The towpath grass mowing is now being done in a more 'boater friendly' manner too. By that I mean where there is piling and mooring facilities the grass has been cut right to the edge of the towpath.
Yes really! None of this 'strip down the middle for walkers' nonsense. In other places the vegetation has been allowed to grow which is fair enough, but at least now I can moor up without have to hack my way off the boat with a scythe! Sight lines on bends have benefited as a result.
Coincidence?
This change of policy seems to coincide with the fact there has been a change of manager at Central Shires with Sean McGinley being now in charge. I'm not sure whether Sean is in that role as 'caretaker' or it's a permanent appointment. I hope it's the latter; he looks to be a big improvement on the former manager 'Mr Excuses' whose expertise appeared to be limited to dodging the issue and thereby making life difficult for boaters!