THE people from Canal & River Trust told us this morning that the gate at Guyers Lock on the Kennet & Avon had been repaired and the navigation open.
Oh No it isn't, indeed—alas it did not last very long for we are now told it is closed again!
It is all rather confusing, for we are not told exactly what the problem is, but readers may recollect that it was a beam that had given up the ghost that caused the last stoppage, but all it tells us now is that the stoppage has been caused by 'a boat strike'!
We really have to agree with our Keith Gudgin when he asks:
"What is it with lock gates, are they in such a bad condition that they cannot take a boat bumping into them anymore?
"After all how many boats actually approach a lock gate at speed etc. if the amount of gates failing due to so called 'boat strikes' is anything to go on it's quite a lot.
"On my travels I do not see many boats hitting lock gates with enough force to damage them as this would also damage the boat and/or it's contents etc. so boaters are generally pretty careful about entering and filling locks to prevent damage to their property.
"No, I'm inclined to suspect that, in most cases, the gate is in such a poor condition due to lack of maintenance that even a minor bump is enough to finish it off."
Oh Yes it is
Now we are told the damage was not as bad as was thought and the lock is open again!