Pump failure could affect BCNS rally

Published: Sunday, 21 April 2019

IT'S EASTER weekend the start of 'the boating season for many boater', writes Brian Jarrett.

Three of the four pumps supplying water to the Wolverhampton Level are non-functional resulting in restrictions on lock opening times and advice for 'deep draughted' boats to avoid (they don’t specify what an acceptable draught would be! It is understood that two of the pumps have been inoperable for some time!

Critical part

Would it not have been obvious that the fact there are four pumps they were a critical part of the canal infrastructure and system in order to maintain navigation?

The BCNS Rally is due to be held at Brownhills on 17th May and this will obviously involve a great many lock movements onto the Wolverhampton Level and the passage of several 'deep draughted' boats.

Can't run it from a computer screen

Yet again it shows that you can’t run the system from behind a desk looking at a computer screen. You need a full appreciation of what’s involved in keeping the canal system open to navigation not just towpath access!