Dangerous and difficult

NOT only can Lock 1W on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal be dangerous (as you say in yesterday's article), but extremely difficult, as I'm sure Victor would agree, writes boater Peter Gregory.

The bottom gates leak so much that the lock never fills completely. Going up a few weeks ago, I lowered one of the top paddles (as the lock was nearly full) only to see the water level gradually drop.

Paddles open and two pushing

In the end, with both top paddles open, two people pushing the balance beam and the boat in gear pushing the gate, we managed to get through.

There were similar problems on the way down. Maybe British Waterways take into account canal usage when prioritising their spending on upkeep?