Help Needed-Shorter Opening Hours At Plank Lane Swig Bridge

[Glennbrown]

I would urge everybody on this site to Ring Debbie Lumb at BW in Wigan on 01942 405700 to complain about the shorter hours our masters have imposed on us at Plank lane Swing Bridge on the Leigh branch of the Leeds Liverpool Canal (claiming saving money)

 

In effect in the Peak of the Season the canal shall be closed at 6pm! (was 8pm)

 

Please Please let our Masters know that you disapprove !!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shorter Opening Hours for Plank Lane

Plank Lane Lift Bridge, on the Leigh Branch of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, is to be open for fewer hours each day.

 

British Waterways is having to identify areas where money can be saved. This lift bridge has to be manned during all opening hours and this currently involves the use of overtime. A reduction in the operating hours of the bridge will free a significant sum of money which can be re-directed into essential maintenance works.

 

From June, the bridge will be open to navigation only during the following hours:

• June 2010 08.30 am to 4.30 pm

• July 2010 08.30 am to 6.00 pm

• August 2010 08.30 am to 6.00 pm

• September 2010 08.30 am to 4.30 pm

 

This is a trial and the opening hours will be reviewed in October.

 

Debbie Lumb, BW's North West Manager, said that she appreciates that this is a substantial reduction in the opening hours and it may cause some inconvenience to those travelling in the area. However, she said must balance the cost of staffing the bridge against the works needed elsewhere.

 

She added that BW is currently reviewing the benefits of utilising volunteers to meet a range of core duties. In the near future, BW hopes that volunteers can help to man locks and bridges. If BW can secure the volunteer commitment for Plank Lane Lift Bridge, it is possible that the bridge can revert to longer opening hours in the future.

 

Anyone interested in finding out more about how to get involved with this should contact BW in Wigan on 01942 405700.

 

BW in Wigan welcomes feedback by phone or email on how these reduced opening hours affect boaters.

[RichardH]

I don't understand the problem. If it means more locks are fixed with the re-utilisation of manpower then what is the issue?

 

If you chat to the guys at Plank Lane, some days they literally do not see a boat so to close slightly earlier makes perfect sense to me.

 

If you look at somewhere like the Montgomery Junction off the Llangollen, there is a much tighter opportunity for passage in arguably a much busier location.

 

We have the same rules now on the locks on the L&L due to water levels and schedules just have to be altered.

[barge sara]

BW are part of the public sector (for the time being).

You may have noticed that current spending on the public sector is unsustainable and is being reduced considerably.

I suggest moving Plank Lane Bridge's closing time from 8.00pm to 6.00 pm may be one of the smaller sacrifices to be made....

[cotswoldsman]

I would urge everybody on this site to Ring Debbie Lumb at BW in Wigan on 01942 405700 to complain about the shorter hours our masters have imposed on us at Plank lane Swing Bridge on the Leigh branch of the Leeds Liverpool Canal (claiming saving money)

 

In effect in the Peak of the Season the canal shall be closed at 6pm! (was 8pm)

 

Please Please let our Masters know that you disapprove !!!!!

 

Great to see that BW are looking at ways to save money. If you can't make 6pm then go the next day some good mooring near Plank Lane.

[magpie patrick]

You want to try being on the Gloucester and Sharpness, all the bridges close at 7 in summer (4 in winter) which means even in summer we have to leave Gloucester Docks no later than 4:30 to guarentee getting into our marina 8 miles away (yes, you go fast, but you have to wait for the bridges. It also means we can't leave the Marina if we get to the boat after about 6:30 on a summer evening

 

11 bridges in 16 miles, although one six mile gap and one three mile gap, where you can go cruising out of hours

 

oh, and Gloucester Lock Closes at 7 as well

[MartinC]

BW are part of the public sector (for the time being).

You may have noticed that current spending on the public sector is unsustainable and is being reduced considerably.

I suggest moving Plank Lane Bridge's closing time from 8.00pm to 6.00 pm may be one of the smaller sacrifices to be made....

 

If this upsets people, wait until the real cuts in public services take effect. Greece has lived beyond its means for years and we are nearly matching them.