'Closed period' on the waterways!

WELL, never knew we had a closed period on the canals! Writes Brian D Jarrett.

'Out of season' was my understanding, obviously not so CaRT in its comment on the closure of some northern canals—'we will provide updates on the water position throughout the closed period'.

[This is the latest of its new descriptions, this time obviously covering lack of rain in addition to lack of maintenance, with the three main northern canals having been closed or with numerous stoppages for most of the boating season—Editor.]