narrowboatworld

As has been discussed on various forums, how many of the back pumps have been turned off this year. I guess the bean counters at BW requested it to save money, banking on the fact that it would rain.

Here in the Midlands the canal water levels are not bad, in fact on the W&B this weekend I would say the level is higher than normal. The water always pours down Lapworth and then down the South Straford, it is beyond beleif that they can't run off some down the GU. The water has to pass through the basin at Lapworth and that has a direct (lock free) connection to the GU, so surely a little fiddling with the by-wash boards could add most of the "spare" water to the GU.

Also what was that stupid "hydraulics" response to a request to info from BW. Hydraulics means "The branch of science concerned with the conveyance of liquids through pipes and channels" Oh so day to day business of BW then - NOT

It's very strange this water shortage that BW is experiencing at the moment.

The national weather agency are reporting 'NORMAL' rain-fall for this time of year, and we had more than normal before that. The EA are reducing water levels on the Thames to avert flooding.

Yet here we are on the canals, which BW are now closing with the excuse of no water..........Mmmmmmmmmm..........or could it be a case of the "bottom being too near the top" because of the lack of dredging by BW, which of course means water being lost over weirs.

To me it's further proof that the 'Furniture Polishers' have cocked up again. I can't wait for them to go!

Where has all the extra water that we had, gone to, has it evaporated due to all the 'Hot Air at BW HQ'?

How strange that the summit level can be closed at one end, and not the other. The fact that there appears to be no restrictions at the Watford end reinforces long held suspicions that the entire p0und is used as a reservior to feed the southern Grand Union at the expense of the Leicester line. How can BW qualify the decision to close foxton at a moments notice throwing boaters travel scedules into disarray, leaving many to be unable to reach home base. I expect hire companies will face having to recover abandoned boats from isolated locations, causing cancelations or the cost of shipping subsequent hirers & turn round teams to said boats at the very least. Yet more bad news for the industry at a time when most are struggling, & boating in general.