Basingstoke Navigation Update

[canaldrifter]

Basingstoke Canal Navigation Update – 18th May 2011

 

Hampshire Pound (Odiham to Aldershot) – Open

 

Water levels remain good to date in spite of an extremely dry winter and

spring so far. Ash Lock By-Pass is currently closed but daily monitoring is in

place and the ranger team will take any necessary action according to the

agreed procedures for summer settings.

 

Advance Notice – Queen’s Avenue Aldershot Garrison Bridge Inspection

 

A survey inspection is due to be carried out by Aspire engineers on the

Queen’s Avenue iron bridge crossing the canal, this is just an inspection with

no proposed work at this stage. This is likely to be carried out week

commencing 4th July and will involve a pontoon with some scaffolding that

can easily be moved out of the way when or should a boat wish to pass under

the bridge.

 

 

Ash Lock

 

A new British Waterways Standard Padlock has been fitted to the ground

paddle gear, so please ensure that you have this with you when you need to

pass through the Lock. A new metal style jack-head has been installed on one

side, this was a trial prototype and has now been risk assessed and signed off

for total use. All similar jack-heads will now be replaced on a running

programme throughout the year.

 

If water levels drop below 200 mm later this summer due to expected drought

conditions, then Ash Lock will be closed to navigation and in order to protect

safe navigable levels on the Hampshire Pound. Again the team will closely

monitor this on a daily basis.

 

Deepcut Flight – Temporarily Closed

 

The new term contractor Dyer & Butler has been appointed by Hampshire and

Surrey County Council’s to carry out priority work as previously reported. Final

planning and acquisition of the necessary consents and assent from Natural

England is in progress. Mobilisation work will start in June 2011 and will focus

on the demolition and rebuilding of upper and lower wing walls of locks 19, 20

and 25. The term contractor will work along side the ranger team to carry out

other critical repair work required on the by-passes and ground paddle

equipment. Lock gates will be replaced where required in a committed attempt

to get this flight open by early spring next year.

 

Brookwood Flight – Temporarily Closed

 

This flight is currently closed, the BCA were unable to fit new lower gates at

lock 12 due to adverse technical issues. The term contractor will be asked to

assist with this in the coming summer months and it may involve a brief road

closure and diversion..

 

St John’s Flight – Open

 

Woking Pound – Open

 

Water levels have been fair to date in spite of an extremely dry winter and

spring so far. Back-pumping is now being carried out at the Woodham end

with daily monitoring in place and the ranger team will take any necessary

action according to the agreed conditions and regulations under our

Abstraction Licence to keep this section navigable.

 

Woodham Flight – Open

 

Both the BCA rangers and the Surrey Care Trust ‘Swingbridge 2’ community

Volunteer Group have carried out spot maintenance and vegetation clearance

on the above flights and cleared away significant amounts of litter and the

usual fly-tipping.

 

From June onwards there will be a necessity to replace certain sets of lock

gates on the above flights. Notice will be given when the final plan is agreed

between the term contractor and the BCA.

 

Please check current navigation status with the Office 01252 370073 and

give us at least 48 hrs notice before any planned passage as usual.

 

Further discussion will be taking place on a “Open Navigation Access Policy”

with the Canal Society, IWA and Boat Clubs. Hopefully this can be

implemented as soon as possible to enable a much more flexible approach

with designated volunteers managing the navigation aspect of the canal.

 

The BCA have completed a risk assessment on this proposal and a report

with recommendations on replacing the jack-heads, fitting safety features to

lock gate furniture, security and caulking up activities have been made. The

BCA will now share this information with all user groups and in order to try

and find a way forward with a safe “Open Navigation Access Policy”.

 

During the past few months the BCA working with both county councils,

unions and staff have completed a consultation on a proposed restructure of

the ranger team. As part of that process a recommended action to reallocate

revenue to cover future planned preventative maintenance on the canal has

been made. Also to address funding and certain sustainability and viability

issues that currently confront the BCA.

 

This has involved an enormous amount of work for management and has

been a very worrying time for the staff. We have also lost two key workers

from the admin team earlier this year, which resulted in a fifty percent

reduction in ground and office support.

 

Your patience and continued support is greatly appreciated during this

troubled time and I remain confident that the proposed emergent team,

together with the appointment of a good term contractor will result in a better

managed, maintained and improved canal for all to enjoy.

 

 

Ian Brown

Canal Director

 

Tone