THOUGH the work on the broad Weston and Aston locks was due to be completed shortly, the removal of plant has meant neither will now be complete on time, and the Trent & Mersey Canal will remain closed.
It is estimated that it will now be over two weeks before the work is completed on the two locks, as the floating plant required to undertake the work is needed elsewhere and so has been removed, Keith Gudgin tells us.
Needs floating plant
It was both work on masonry and paddles at Aston Lock (pictured) and gate leakage repairs at Weston Lock, that are now both delayed as the work needs the floating plant.
The floating plant is needed at another vehicle strike of a bridge to clear the debris from the waterway, this time at Dimmingsdale Bridge on the Staffs & Worcs Canal, and it is now on its way there.
It is understood this problem is the result of both Canal & River Trust and previously British Waterways selling-off its plant, particularly when the Trust put out so much of its in-house work to contractors.