The endangered species

OUR Ralph Freeman thought that boaters would like to see a few photographs of the endangered species taken at Sandon Lock on the Trent & Mersey Canal.

The lock moorings, below Sandon have never been the most pleasant, Ralph writes. After periods of rain the towpath between the mooring bollards and the lock could be ankle deep in mud. All that is now about to change.

More bollards

We have to thank the outlet of the bywash opposite the moorings for this upgrade! It has undermined the lock moorings to such an extent that they have suffered a partial collapse. British Waterways staff are now installing more bollards further downstream of the lock, so that boats will be able to moor up whilst the refurbishment of the original lock moorings takes place. Excellent!

A workboat is moored on the offside not far from Bridge 86 on the Trent & Mersey Canal. A couple of BW employees are strengthening a culvert under the canal by building a new entrance/retaining wall. As always, I'm happy to report maintenance being done by genuine BW employees especially as they now appear to be an endangered species!