Project Fear—the IWA version
Last month, CaRT's poodle the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) launched it's own version of Project Fear as regards to the Great Ouse and the Nene claiming that both rivers were facing long-term closures on health and safety grounds. As part of its campaign that EA controlled navigations should be handed over to the failing CaRT. It is the CaRT controlled navigations are at more risk of closures on health and safety grounds.
The Environment Agency statement:
'We are aware of the Inland Waterways Association campaign and have been in correspondence with Les Etheridge, IWA's National Chairman. We have re-assured IWA there is no immediate risk that we will close any of our navigations and we take stewardship role very seriously regarding our statutory navigation duties. We are committed to doing all we can to make our navigations sustainable'.
Good use made of funding
The EA has made good use of its funding and has not wasted money on daft things like waterside artworks, duck lanes and other daft items. The Great Ouse and the Nene are in very good order and you can see where the money has been spent. On the Nene 16 years ago when I first came down, most of the guillotine locks were manually operated. Today only three remain to be electrified, the delay being due to there being no nearby power lines to the locks. Why not use solar power? It was tried at Tichmarch Lock, but the panels which were mounted on top of the guillotine were stolen within a week of being installed.
When boaters leave CaRT waters at Northampton after fighting their way down the leaking Northampton Fight, they notice the change and most are impressed with the condition of the river. And if you need to contact EA for help, the control room is manned 24/7. Or you can phone the local river inspector by mobile. Getting hold of CaRT outside office hours is more of a problem.
Keeping the system in good repair
Part of keeping the system in good repair is reducing the risk of damage. For that reason the guillotine locks are left empty and the guillotines raised. If the gate was left down, any debris floating down the river would get caught up in the gate mechanism and jamming it, which then would require someone from EA to come and remove it. With the guillotine raised, any debris will just wash through over the top gates and out of the lock. So David, there is your answer.
The added benefit - it does prevent the use of the locks as swimming pools which is a problem in some places.
Locks out of use
Harlam Hill Lock (pictured) on the Ancholme, which only gives access to the last one and half miles to the head of navigation at Bishopbridge Weir. Few boats used the lock when it was in use. Eighty percent of the boats registered are sea going. The river above the lock is narrow with only room to turn a 35ft boat.
Access from inland is via the Humber which is not for the faint hearted. Passage through South Ferriby Lock is limited to three hours either side of high tide. Underpowered boats risk being dragged by the river flow out into the North Sea or getting stuck on the many extensive mud banks to the north of Ferriby Sluice, which are exposed at low tide.
Dedham Mill Lock on the Stour. Not connected to the main inland system. Only unpowered craft (those that are peddled, rowed or sailed) can travel the whole length of the Stour Navigation. Powered craft are restricted to the length between Ballingdon Bridge and Henny Street at the top end of the river near Sudbury apart from the Stour Trust Trip boats. As for all three locks on the Stour, all can only be operated by EA staff. The Stour Trust are continuing with their plans and negotiations to restore this lock at the earliest opportunity. And are also proceeding with plans to complete the restoration of Stratford St Mary lock in Autumn.
Welches Dam Lock (pictured) on the Old Bedford River another rarely used lock when it was opened (Less than a dozen boats year). As for the Old Bedford River last year saw the first boat to enter the river this decade from Great Ouse through the Old Bedford Sluice.