narrowboatworld

LOCK paddles left open on the Hanwell Flight have caused thousands of pounds worth of water erosion damage.

British Waterways reports that the impact of the water by the lock paddles being left open overnight on the flight on the Grand Union Canal have caused considerable amounts of damage to the towpaths and  to the neighbouring gardens, as well as costly and dangerous bank and towpath erosion.

The sheer volume of water also caused the side ponds to overflow, adding to the damage.

It is thought that boaters left all the lock paddles  open to encourage water build up to break the canal ice, but British Waterways urges all canal users to  allow  ice thaw naturally and to continue to operate locks as usual when they become operable again.