Midnight

No matter what CaRT say today, tomorrow is another problem around these parts. As long as you are not on a tight deadline it's usually (?) possible to cruise the Pennine canals without too much trouble. Moored on the Calder Navigation is always a challenge, but we have managed to get through many more times than not. The Rochdale will be closed for a few weeks while they fix lock 66 but unless something major happens elsewhere you should be okay. All three canals are worth a punt if you've not done them before. Rochdale summit is spectacular, Standedge Tunnel is an amazing experience and the L&L above and around Skipton is in some of the most beautiful surroundings in the country. We're off on a 3 week cruise mid July so like you we are checking the notices and keeping an ear to the ground.

The Huddersfield is open again yipee!... ....Oh The Huddersfield is closed again - hmmmm! https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices/15518-fallen-tree-between-lock-25e-and-26e?fbclid=IwAR2G2ii8Qz7DlPrXzJ20llLZ1uTDqGC5Bu-UC1t7yowJOQKEOgStVFFzyik

but it also affects those in the west trying to escape to superior locations

Short rant warning! Two closures one each end of the Rochdale, breach on the Huddersfield god knows what on the L&L -You couldn't make it up!

Even if those boats could get through the shorter locks, the Calder is just another stoppage waiting to happen. Mind you there's lots of new 'tyre in the cut' logos and irrelevant signs appearing down that way to contribute to our health and well being.

Having met a "pack" of them coming towards me on their way to the Braunston fesival a few years ago on the North Oxford I totally agree.

No matter how careful the steerer is, entering a double lock from downstream with only one gate open invariably leads to damage to the mitre - metal strake on soft wet wood. The Rochdale lock 66 incident may have failed with the lock full but was probably weakened by previous regular abuse. The system is old so should be treat with the same care you would treat your aging granny.

I emailed Tom and he realised his mistake it was meant to say Bosley

This is going to be a frequent occurrence due to the number of locks in the area with just one working paddle. Well being - tosh!

Shepley Bridge Lock Due to a paddle failure the lock is currently inoperable and passage is not possible. We are currently working to rectify the problem and will issue an update when the situation changes. Common problem along this length as several locks have only one paddle working. Usually fixed within a day or so but why don't they fix both when such a breakdown happens?

I can't see anything at all re single-handed cruising in my policy document

I do praise CaRT when they get things right. My view is that those officers on the ground are doing a good job in difficult circumstances. It's the management at the top who are causing the dissatisfaction through the policies that have been introduced. Yes you have to balance the bad with the good, but overall my recent experiences of the waterways has been overall negative. Many of the stoppages could be avoided with a better maintenance policy than the current "only fix it when it breaks". How many lock gates have you been through with just one paddle working? My boat is on the Yorkshire side of the Pennines. How could I possibly be happy with CaRT after the problems we suffered last year (at one stage all 3 Trans-Pennine routes were closed). Surveys that ask how you feel on a scale of 1 - 10 are a waste of time, your 8 may be my 3. The questions about how you feel generally, are used to modify the results. These are usually set up to get the answers you want. In a previous life I produced satisfaction surveys for a local authority with the instruction to "get answers that put us in a good light". I also produced surveys where we wanted to know the real situation. If you want to know if your customers are happy ask "Are you happy with..................." Yes / No BTW Soft data is just as important so I suggest reading this forum and others is a valuable source. I would also suggest the mixed views on here also reflect the wider boating community.

Pity there wasn't a -10

CaRT say it's anonymous but the email link includes a code which they will say prevents duplicate responses but could also identify the user.

Received an email today asking to complete another survey. No matter what boaters say I'm guessing the results will show CaRT are a wonderful organisation and we boaters are very satisfied with their performance and state of the waterways.

With the government is total chaos it's looks likely we will be heading for a soft Brexit. Would that mean an end to red diesel for boat users?

Hired from Claymore (just north of Preston Brook tunnel) several times before getting a boat. The two most popular routes from there where Llangollen and the Cheshire ring. No wonder the poor souls are struggling. CRT should be ashamed over their failures at Marple and Middlewich.

According to the RYA legal information, you are on shaky ground moving the boat but it seems clear that the landowner could go down the lien route. It's not clear but as you have rented it maybe you could too. I suggest you delete that post to cover yourself and speak to a legal bod. On the other hand Mr Smelly did make a good point.

No surprise to me. From my experience at Ripon marina, I could write a book on the incompetence of those lightweights at BWML Hull.

Up until a few years ago CRT logged my home mooring as a private marina in Dewsbury some 5 or 6 miles away. When I pointed this out to them they said it's because they didn't have the boat club as a location and they changed it to Calder Navigation. Yesterday when I checked they now have my home mooring as the boat club so they must have done some updating recently.

Another CRT system not fit for purpose! A member of our club had similar email yesterday. He's been back since October but has been in dry dock for 3 weeks and then moored for 14 days nearby while he carried out some work. Technically he has not been on his 'Home Mooring' for awhile but never more than 10 feet away from the end of Club moorings. Surely CRT can't change your status to 'No Home Mooring' just because you aren't always on your stated mooring. Many members go off from Easter until October.

York Skipton Lymm

We have a fuel polishing kit at the boat club. Members are charged £30 inc 1 filter. The last batch of filters we bought were £21 each. If fuel is really dirty (black) we suggest siphoning the bottom of the tank first. £583.70 is very excessive IMO.

One of the best pubs on the system!

Thanks for your suggestions. My mate managed to find a company that will repair at reasonable cost - Cox Automotive at Atherstone.