The lower part of the River Stort from Harlow to the junction with the River Lee has been closed to navigation since 3rd August.
The reason given is low water levels caused by the drought. Of course, this means that boats moored within the section concerned, which includes a large marina, cannot use the waterway at all. Boats which are above the stoppage can use only a very short section and cannot access the network.
I do not understand how a river which flows downhill (!) can be full of water at the top and short of water at the bottom. As a moorer on the upper section I wonder why I pay a licence fee for a network I cannot access during the peak cruising season.
Paul Bennett nb Lark