Decapitation guaranteed

ROD Fox's picture of the new 'safety' rails at Falling Sands Lock only tells part of the story, writes David Hymers.

We have just come down the South Staffs & Worcs Canal (and came through Falling Sands just behind Rod) and as the pictures show this nonsense has been perpetrated in one form or another at most of the locks.

Clears at 5ft 2ins

My own picture of Falling Sands Lock shows the steerer just clearing the cross strut—but she admits to a height of 5ft 2in, which is probably below the average height for steerer.

There are many cases that the railings are formed of temporary (I hope) scaffolding which is lower than the bridge and is also held up only by screw fittings which could easily be undone by any ill-disposed person with a lump hammer.

Ludicrously, at Kidderminster scaffolding has been added to a pre-existing set of railings.

Strangely some bridges the new barriers only go part way across the bridge—since the full width would foul the balance beams—what on earth is going on?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another head chopper, waiting for some unsuspecting boater coming on deck with her/his back to the bow...