Giving the lie to the stoppage notice

IT WAS fortunate that you were able to show the image of Ratcliffe Lock, writes T Lang.

It is quite clear from your image that the bottom gates, though badly worn are both sound and secure and give the lie to the CaRT stoppage notice.

At an angle

This clearly states 'the bottom gate is now at an angle', so perhaps you would include your image again that clearly shows there is no angle whatsoever, it is simply not true, and to my mind CaRT has cottoned on to the fact that lock gates have been lifted out of their sockets and left at an angle and is a good excuse.

Your article showing a lock gate at an angle [on the Kennet & Avon] that it was told had been lifted out by a boat being stuck in the gate puts the blame on boaters and is a damn good excuse indeed and used for the Ratcliffe Lock that leaks like a sieve (I have seen it deteriorate over the years) with the entrance to the lock build-up with silt that prevents them being used.

Four attempts

And why has it taken four attempts at dredging the silt?  And no guarantee that this will cure the problem with the obviously useless contractors.