Email: Snagging ropes

Maybe that I am wrong and there might be reasons other than poor maintenance and lack of money, staff etc...

I have recently cruised through Braunston, Buckby and  Bruerne lock flights. I have done all of them up and down, with crew and single handed. The problem I have noticed is the rope snagging gaps between coping stones on lock sides.

All the flights have had much needed work such as new gates which is excellent. But why is it impossible or not current policy to fill the cracks with a little bit of mortar—just enough to stop ropes going down and snagging.

When working single handed I use ropes to hold the boat—but being aware of the snagging problem I take extra care. Boaters who are new to the canals also tend to use ropes more, and may not be aware of the danger of getting a boat hung up.
Andrew Saffrey