Narrowboatworld knocked out

WHEN we warned boaters of the coming high force winds, little did we realise we would be a early casualty.

Situated in woodland a mile from a tarmac road, the power cables are slung amongst the trees by the side of the tracks, and wind took out a very large sycamore tree that landed on the power cables with its weight pulling over the poles and ripping the fitting until the wires snapped. The picture below shows the snapped cables on the ground.

No power

So no power at narrowboatworld all Friday whilst the people from e.on did the repair, but unable to start until the tree was cut-up and removed, together with the remaining standing part of it that was rocking dangerously.

Waterways

This particular tree really illustrates the problems faced on the waterways, for of course, as dangerous as it was, and we all knew one decent blast and it would be down taking the power with it. But like other dangerous ones by the waterways, the county council, Derbyshire in this case, had a preservation order on it.  And it was no use pointing out its danger to the powers-that-be.  It was a tree so couldn't be cut down.

So when a tree falls on your boat, as they do, don't blame British Waterways, its hands are tied by people sat in remote offices who know no better.

There will be updates over the weekend.