IT CERTAINLY IS OFF WE GO AGAIN with that dratted Keadby Rail Drawbridge.
For after its breakdown on the 17th of November it was out of action for nine days until it was back working on the 26th, with quite a few boaters stuck at both sides.
But now, just two days later it is kaput once again yesterday the 28th, but with this time no boaters waiting I am told.
They have obviously given it up as a bad job. All Network Rail tell is that 'there has been a failure'.
And that just about sums it up—it is so obviously one big failure.
One thing though, the trust has taken our advice of Thursday when we suggested that boaters telephone the Keadby Lock keeper to find out if the bridge is working or not, for it too is now telling the same!
It is not told by Network Rail when it is likely to be repaired.
What makes these never ending stoppages so bad, it that the whole system had a major overhaul lasting from the 7th June to the 22nd June of this year, as the picture shows, but since this time has been worse for stoppages, with them constantly one after another.
So bad in fact that a definite drop in boaters needing access either way has been recorded.
Still they fail
I had thought that the failure of Customer Service Facilities had reached their peak, with all now settled under the new governments' regulations.
But alas, no, as another bites the dust.
This time it is Birchills Customer Service Facility on the Walsall Canal that is out of use, our Keith tells me.
But this time there is no mention of the new regulations, as it's just a bit of lack of maintenance with the roof falling in!
So contractors have been called in and it is expected that it will be repaired in December.
But I wonder what has happened with many that have failed the new regulations, for we have heard nothing.
Another mains burst
Another water main has burst closing a waterway and towpath on Saturday 29th November.
This time on the Shropshire Union Canal by Brewood Bridge, with the bridge damaged.
This means the canal and towpath under the bridge are now closed to both navigation and walkers, with an investigation to be carried out to ascertain the damage to the waterway and bridge.
The last water main burst was on the 14th August under the Leeds & Liverpool Canal at Wigan, this taking well over a month to repair, so let's hope this one is not so long winded.
When will the boat lift reopen?
That is any ones guess I reckon.
It's been closed all this year and it looks like it will be closed all next year too. As we are told 'the investment will enable the lift to transfer boats between the Trent & Mersey Canal and the Weaver once again in 2027'.
I don't see how 'Anderton Boat Lift remains a popular visitor attraction' when it ain't working.
We are informed that the Anderton Boat Lift Visitor Centre and coffee shop are open every weekend (10am-4pm) throughout the winter season, but hardly an attraction when the lift stands there all forlorn and unworkable.
Soon be more water
There will soon be more water for the Macclesfield and Peak Forest canals as the Toddbrook Reservoir repair is nearing completion.
It has taken three years, but by Christmas it is expected that the new overflow spillway structure at the reservoir will be completed, meaning water will be available to prevent the stoppages on the two waterways by the lack of the wet stuff.
One thing though that bothered me was the fact that this work was not put out to tender, but given to Kier, the trust's normal contractor.
Victor Swift—telling tales for 25 years