Emergency communication and CaRT
I was just about to sit down to eat a well-earned meal at about 19.10 hours (ten past seven in old money) yesterday evening (Friday) when my lady wife came in and informed me that some of the local ‘yooff' were digging up the footbridge opposite the yard and throwing the debris into the canal, writes Orph Mable.
Putting the meal on hold, I trooped off to confront them and survey the damage. Alas they had gone. When I saw the damage it was probably just as well because I am not too nice when angry! The little cherubs had ‘excavated' a large hole at the top of the southern incline where the ramp meets the bridge bed.
This hole is more than a few inches deep as indicated by my white lighter that I placed in it. Being on this part of the bridge and virtually central it was a definite danger to late night users of the towpath (a well used shortcut between pub and housing estate) and early morning joggers, not to mention the many elderly people who walk this route. What to do was now my problem. Back to the house and my cooling meal, I decided that it must be reported immediately as it was, in my mind, a serious danger. With fork in one hand and phone in the other I called the CaRT Emergency Help-line (0800 47 999 47).
Please hold
It rang immediately but "All our operators are busy—please hold," greeted me. This went on for several minutes (two or three) then the line ‘dropped-out'. No, I wasn't on a mobile but using the house landline! So, I re-dialled. Same thing! Again after two or three minutes the line dropped. Not being deterred but far from overjoyed, I tried a third time. After one or two minutes of the ‘busy' message the call was answered. Hooray!
I explained to the gentleman who answered, who I was and what I wished to report. He asked where the footbridge with the problem was situated. I explained that it was across the Seven Trent outfall by Bridge 65 on the Staffs & Worcs Canal.
Could not understand
"I can't find that canal," he said
"It goes between Stourport and Great Haywood," I said trying to be helpful.
"You mean the Birmingham & Worcester Canal?" was the reply.
"No, I mean the Staffs & Worcs Canal!" I exclaimed, now getting frustrated.
"Is there a lock or something near you?" he asked.
I told him that the Shropshire Union Canal, Autherley Junction is a couple of hundred yards to the North of the damaged footbridge.
"Oh, so the damaged bridge is near Bridge 65 on the Shropshire Union Canal?"
"NO!" I exclaimed.
Very slowly I stated again that the damage was to a footbridge on the Staffs & Worcs Canal near Bridge 65 at a place called Oxley.
There was a slight pause before the operator said he would pass the details on and thanked me for my call. Call me a cynic if you must, but I got the horrible feeling that the ‘details', if passed on, would be highly inaccurate and the problem difficult for CaRT to trace. My wife and I were very concerned that with it being Friday night, an accident could occur before CaRT would be able to do anything, even if the report got through.
Had to do something
I felt that I was left with no alternative, now being aware of this obvious danger. I had to do something myself. I went out into the yard and put a couple of bricks, some hard core and a bit of rough earth into a wheelbarrow. Taking the barrow and a shovel, I made my way over Bridge 65 to the footbridge, then filled in the hole as best I could. It is only a very temporary repair and won't survive a decent downpour but at least it should stop anyone falling in it for now!
I will email CaRT today (Saturday) with a map which may get a better response!