Boaters responsible for collapse?

I MAY be able to offer some reasons for the collapse of the abutments [of the Oxford Lift Bridge]—excess speed and collision by boats, writes Kevin McNiff.

This bridge was only rebuilt in the last 10 years, so the condition of the brickwork then must have been satisfactory to an engineer. The bridge is at the end of a straight bit of cut but then a sharp right turn follows towards Enslow.

Not able to line-up

Coming from Enslow the left turn is effectively blind. I have witnessed many boats coming this way cutting the bend too fast and not able to line up to go through 'square'. Result—BANG!

Too many steerers of all manner of boats don't understand basic fluid dynamics. The prop tries to drag water through the small gap and the result is the boat slows right down. Underneath we have a water flow sucking sediment, bits of brickwork and mortar in a sort of fracking way, which undermines the foundations. Less is more and going through as slowly as practical gets you through quicker.

Not berate CaRT

I just feel that we need to balance the scales into equilibrium and not berate CaRT every time. There are a lot of emergency closures caused by irresponsible boaters and the instances are on the rise. More training would probably help.