ONCE again the Aylesbury Arm of the Grand Union Canal is collapsing, with a limit now to boats of no more than 2ft 6ins draught.
The arm has had an history of failures, and though not admitted, it is believed in some quarters the reason is that it was built on porous ground, that would account for the leakages and collapses.
It was in January 2012 that it was closed for a period through leakage, and at times since it has been open only to 'essential traffic at specified times, to reduce wastage'.
Catastrophic collapse
Then came the catastrophic collapse of Buckland Lock wall in March 2013, (pictured) that completely closed the arm for two years with 14 boats stuck on the wrong side and having to be craned past the unusable lock, and boats on the moorings at the end of the arm unable to move out onto the system.
The reason for the collapse was never revealed, though many were put forward. Canal & River Trust never stated the reason for the failure or issued an engineers' report, all that is known is that it cost £800,000 to repair.
Further leaks
Since then, in addition to a leak between locks 1 and 2 on the arm, further leaks have been reported, with the arm being closed, which resulted in notices on all the locks that boaters should leave them empty, as the walls too are also leaking.
But now the towpath has collapsed into the canal at Bridge 16 that has caused the restriction for boats with more than 2ft 6ins draught from using the arm, caused, it is stated, by erosion. There is not intimation when—or if—this will be cleared.
Caused collapse
Reading the above, Kevin McNiff sent us his picture showing a hole in the side of the canal at around 200ft on the Aylesbury side of bridge 16.
He tells us that when he asked CaRT if the picture was of a culvert he was told no, but thinks that this has finally caused the towpath collapse?
However, Kevin tells us the arm is a relative jewel on the southern Grand Union and should be on everyone's boating 'bucket list' at least once.