Boaters stranded by faulty lock

THE sea lock at Glasson Dock Marina, off the Lancaster Canal has been out of action for a week, with boaters telling narrowboatworld that 'no one seems bothered'.

It was last Thursday that it failed, leaving sea-going boats either stuck outside on the tide or inside the marina unable to get out on holiday, Alan Tilbury reveals.

Technical malfunction

British Waterways tell that the problem was caused by a  'technical malfunction', and that workers are trying to repair the mechanics.

But boaters have complained, not only of the lack of attention to the lock but the lack of information, some of whom have been forced to cancel holidays.

Boater George Henson, who was to start a trip to the Outer Hebrides tells:

"The whole thing has been grossly mismanaged and we have all be left completely uninformed. I had hired a crew and organised food for the whole trip but all that is wasted now. All I can do now is wait and see what happens."

Another boater, Paul Westbury, booked two weeks off work for his holiday to sea, but has been stuck for a week, with his holiday ruined.

British Waterways hopes the lock will be repaired, but only on a temporary basis, by the weekend, allowing a limited number of boats though.