Boats stopped using Avon in Bath

A HEALTH and Safety scare has prompted British Waterways, under advice from Bath Council to stop boats using the Avon in the City under the corroded Victoria Bridge.

No boats are allowed to pass under the bridge, with the reach from Bath Bottom Lock on the Kennet & Avon Canal and Weston Lock on the river closed to boats.  This has been backed by British Waterways that is cooperating with the council.

Closed last October

As recently reported in narrowboatworld Victoria Bridge was closed last October, but it was only recently that the extent of its corrosion was realised, and now the council fear for the safety of boats passing underneath so have stopped all waterway traffic including trip boats.

There is a great deal of criticism of Bath and North East Somerset on the handling of this matter, for allowing the bridge to get into such a state over so long a period of time, and it now admits the bridge has deteriorated more over the past few months.

Closed until summer

It is told that the waterway will remain closed until next summer, but in the meantime there is to be emergency strapping of the structure following the installation of supports installed to secure the bridge.

Even then the council will only undertake a temporary repair to the bridge at a cost of around £400,000, with a complete repair in the future.

The political opposition to the council believe that instead of spending £400,000 on a box lattice box truss structure that will only be temporary. the council should put this money towards a full repair now.

Boaters stuck

When told that he would not be able to get his boat, at present moored in Bristol, back onto the Kennet & Avon, boater Ken Kirk told us:

"It's bloody ridiculous, for the bridge has been in that condition for months and nobody has bothered, and nobody warned me when I came under it last month, but now I am stuck here, and dare not leave my boat as it is not safe, but can't get back to my moorings. It's all to do with health and safety crap."

Ken told us there were other boaters in the same position who were virtually marooned by closing part of the river.