Another six weeks before Ripon opens

Published: Wednesday, 02 June 2021

IT WAS way back in April that the failed Oxclose Lock closed access to Ripon Basin.

The stoppage was caused by holes in the lock floor on the 20th of April, six weeks ago—incidently one of four closures on that day as Keith Gudgin reported.

Hole in lockRiponA further six weeks

He now informs us that it will be a further six weeks before the holes are filled, meaning that the job will altogether take three months, which is surely ridiculous.

It was late April that boater Kevin Howell wrote in narrowboatworld that over 200 boaters are in limbo in the basin on the canal with no way on to the network.

Licence refund?

After being restricted by coronavirus these boaters have a further three months to wait until they are allowed to move—surely they are due for a licence refund as payment cannot be charged for a service that is not given.

In sending us the picture of the lock today, he tells that six weeks to fill the void under the lock with gravel and grout of 100 tonnes—he is surprised the lock hasn’t caved in.

As for a refund on the licence all he has been told "you pay to be on the water”!  And adds:

"Hopefully (fingers crossed) we can get away in August."