Panic over Leicester lockdown

THE Canal & River Trust has gone into panic mode over the government's decision to bring back lockdown in Leicester.

Even though the navigation through the city was open during the latter part of the original lockdown, providing boaters did not stay overnight, the Trust has now 'stopped all non-essential travel into and through the city with immediate effect'!  Keith Gudgin reports.

Distance of 15 miles

This includes the navigation from Bridge 18 above Birstall right down through the city past Kilby Bridge to Bridge 82—a distance of 15 miles.

And the restrictions come in fast and furious with no leisure boats or hire boats allowed and continuous cruisers unable to travel through this area and even people with boats moored, now unable to visit them, though both continuous cruisers and visits in Leicester have been allowed previously during the latter part of lockdown.

Needless to say, the narrow towpaths where the coronavirus can be spread, remain fully open.