Has CaRT lost sight of its prime role?

Published: Monday, 22 January 2018

AS WE intend to revisit Llangollen again this summer, I thought it would be good to finally go down the locks at Frankton and have a couple of days on the connected section of the Montgomery Canal, writes Graham Westgate.

As we've passed over the years, I have seen the locks progress from dereliction, to a fully restored, working flight, and thought how nice it would be to go down them and explore at last.

Frankton LocksMornings only

I knew there used to be a system of booking for a few hours in the morning and a few hours in the afternoon, but on enquiring I find that now the booking restriction is 12:00 until 14:00 everyday! This would mean adding a minimum of three days to our trip, instead of the two I had anticipated! Time I would love to spend there but unfortunately cannot afford.

Why oh why do CaRT seem to be determined to put people off using the Montgomery, when so much time and effort has been spent on it's restoration?! Surely boats arriving at 9:00 are no more likely to disturb the newts than at 12:00? But the idea of making life convenient for boaters seems to be alien to CaRT!

Much more convenient

As someone who volunteers myself, I am aware that it would cost very little more to man the locks morning and afternoon than just at lunchtime, if manning is indeed necessary, and it would be so much more convenient for boaters!

I do believe CaRT have lost sight of the fact that its prime role (after maintenance!), is supposed to be 'customer service'!

Am I alone in these thoughts, or do others feel forgotten by those with the responsibility to organise these things at CaRT?