Work on Heartbreak Hill
VICTOR'S comments about the condition of the Cheshire Locks on the Trent & Mersey Canal—better known as Heartbreak Hill—has brought criticism, pointing out the work of Inland Waterways Association volunteers.
May I just point out some sterling efforts on the part of volunteers on Heartbreak Hill, upon which Victor visited some, shall we say, ‘philosophical irony'? writes Geoff Smith.
Collaborating
The local branch of the IWA (North Staffordshire and South Cheshire) have been collaborating with the Trent & Mersey Canal Society and Canal & River Trust to try to bring about the restoration of as much of the Cheshire Locks as possible. (The photograph by Bob Luscombe shows members painting the duplicated locks at Church Lawton.)
In the meantime, may I cite the following web pages as evidence of noble efforts in pursuance thereof and to improve the flight:
http://www.cheshirelocks.org.uk/history
http://www.waterways.org.uk/staffscheshire/volunteer_work_parties
http://www.waterways.org.uk/staffscheshire/news/work_party_news
Decades of under-investment
In the absence of my magic wand to instantly rectify decades and millions of under-investment, I ask for some respect, please, if not praise, for those within the bit of the IWA I have the privilege to do a teensy bit for, and for the Trent & Mersey Canal Society. (The two people in the picture are David and Jean Clegg.)
None of us would have started from here and these volunteers aren't going to stop the planet spinning on its axis, for sure, but for getting out and contributing, they have my great respect. (The above two photographs by Bob Luscombe show the steps at Lock 53—before and after.)
No stoppage
By the way, I'm told one happier postscript occurred recently when one of the Heartbreak locks had to be repaired causing no stoppage as its recently restored ‘pair' was functional again.
Restoration is certainly a challenge that will be pursued but improvement is more readily achievable. (The photograph shows vegetation cleared from cobble setts around other lock gates on the flight and the gates themselves given a fresh coat of paint, together with the associated lock furniture.)
The hardy volunteers will get to those ‘less public' bits Victor bemoans, I'm sure, and they'll be back at it, at Lock 51, weather permitting, this coming Tuesday 18th, too.
Care to lend them a hand, Victor?