SOLO narrowboat owner, Amy, was endangered on the tidal Thames by the 'unofficial closure' during the end of October—without warning—of Brentford Lock that connects the tidal Thames to the Grand Union Canal, Ken Churchill tells us.
Episode I
Week ending Friday 21st October I was inconvenienced by the 'Unofficial Closure' of Brentford's Thames Locks, writes Amy.
I needed to lock out with enough cruising time to proceed up the Thames and through Old Windsor Lock before its official closure on 1st November.
Thursday 20th October, seeking 24 hours notice for passage out of Brentford Locks, I was told "Because of the tides, I could lock out 1715 Friday 21st October, 0600 Saturday 22nd October or 0700 Sunday the 23rd October. Also that Brentford Locks were closed Monday 24th until Thursday 27th October."
Thursday 27th October would be too late for a leisurely cruise upstream to Old Windsor lock.
1715 Friday and 0600 Saturday would involve night cruising so I booked 0700 Sunday 23rd.
Saturday 22nd I went on line and discovered that Brentford Locks were not listed for closure from Monday to Thursday 24 to 27 October. It had been a phone endurance test to get the Sunday booking so I made no attempt to change this booking.
0710 Sunday I entered Brentford Lock and waited for the light to improve. At 0715 the lock keeper told me to "If I wanted daylight I should have booked later than 0700. Exit the lock."
I was not aware that I could have booked after 0700, however I waited outside Brentford Locks until there was daylight enough for a safe passage upstream to Teddington.
Episode II
On Monday 24th October, having given the required 24 hours notice for passage down the Thames to Brentford, with Amy arriving at Teddington Lock to be told that Brentford Locks were closed. The Teddington Lock Keeper advised Amy that "If unable to lock into Brentford she should cruise down to Limehouse."
Cruising downstream Amy used 'Facebook' to seek advice and was informed of the risks of cruising to Limehouse without VHF and without authorisation. On the advice of a boater she moored up in the tidal approach to Brentford Locks before dark. The lock was was unmanned. I do not know if Amy remained at this mooring overnight.
Apparently Amy contacted CaRT, 030304040, and was informed that work was being carried out which does not affect use of Brentford Locks. Therefore Brentford Locks were not officially closed.
This unofficial closure is not acceptable. It put Amy and her boat at risk on the tidal Thames.
Episode III
Knowing, and anxious about the above occurrence, a solo female boater asked me to crew for her when locking out of Brentford 1130 Thursday 27th October, writes Ken Churchill.
At 1115 I had noticed a large telegraph size tree trunk in Brentford's South Lock.
1125 Lock keeper, Angie, phone to say she would be ten minutes late.
1150, 20 minutes late, Angie arrived and opened the top gates of Brentford's South lock.
As I walked down the towpath towards the locks Angie opened the top gates of Brentford's North lock and started clearing a smaller log from that lock entrance. Assuming Angie was clearing this smaller obstacle to enable access for the narrowboat I asked Angie which lock we should use. She pointed to Brentford South Lock where the telegraph pole size tree trunk was diagonal across the entrance of the lock.
The narrowboat entered Brentford South Lock, pushing the tree trunk to one side.
Angie closed the South Lock top gates on the tree trunk and commenced draining down South Lock. With the tree trunk wedged between the partially open top gates water was entering the top gates faster than South lock could empty. After several attempts to open the bottom gates Angie was asked to refill the lock and remove the wedged tree trunk.
This she did followed by locking out the narrowboat for passage up the Thames, half an hour late. Half an hour lost from the restricted tidal passage with the risk of the tide turning before reaching Teddington Lock..
I trust readers agree that CaRT management should address these issues before a serious accident arises?