Please move the boat

A NARROWBOAT that had been torched by arsonists on the Peak Forest Canal is listing badly, with boaters afraid it will keel over and block the waterway unless something is done, Amy Dickerson writes.

Access to Whaley Bridge Canal Basin is threatened by a listing boat that was burnt out eight days go on the Permanent Moorings by an arson attack. Because the Fire Brigade have filled it with water it is now listing so badly that it is in danger of capsizing sideways.

The centre rope has burnt away—the boat is held there by the shredding bow and stern ropes. If it goes—it will be when a boat is passing it. I emailed BW about the boat the following day asking them to move it because it was a potential danger to the navigation on the Whaley Arm.

Unlikely to be moved

No reply by email but I did manage to speak to the enforcement officer last Tuesday. She told me that the boat was unlikely to be moved before Christmas. In addition she told me that BW now uses a contractor to move such boats—so this will no doubt add to the time taken to move the boat.

If the boat capsizes this means that there is nowhere between Marple and Whaley Bridge to get water, do a pump out or use an Elsan point by boat.

LATEST: Amy tells us that last night (Tuesday) it was listing even more, and tells us unless BW do something soon to at least secure it, it will capsize thereby blocking the Whaley Arm.