THOUGH ONLY A SHORT WATERWAY—under seven miles long—Ashton Canal has had its woes.
It's latest being a lock fenced off, Keith Gudgin reports.
Suspected vandalism
This time the trust tells that the closure between lock 3 and lock 18 are due to suspected vandalism to the cobbles which is used to operate lock 17.
[Cobbles are used for erosion prevention and are interlocking stones that stops rushing water from washing away the clay or earth bed when locks emptied—Editor.]
However, the lock area has been fenced off as the damage presents a potential trip hazard, until it has been assessed by the trust's team and a method of repair has been planned.
Padlocked
Lock 3 and Lock 18 have been padlocked and navigation closed.
In the recent past the waterway was closed on both 6th July and 2nd of August with paddle failures and suffered weeks of closure through lack of water caused by the drought.