BW stoppages notifications once again failing to tell the full story

[safsnowball]

Restriction: Lock 16W to 17W

13 Apr 2008 until further notice

Associated Regional Office: BW North-West

A retaining wall has collapsed onto the towpath between 16W and 17W on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal; as such the towpath has been closed for health and safety reasons. Navigation is not affected.

Pedestrians are requested to follow the diversion notices that are in place.

Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused.

 

I was planning to take our boat through here today so thought I would drive past the area just to check what was happening. Discovered that the pound between locks 16W and 17W has been totally drained, presumably to facilitate the work on the retaining wall. Huge boulders and debris have fallen into the canal as a result of the work ongoing. Good job I hadn't set off, would have had a few miles and locks to reverse back through.

 

Stoppage: Halls Lock 20W

09 - 30 Mar 2012

Associated Regional Office: Manchester & Pennine Waterways

To allow localised dewatering of lock chamber for major grouting works at Halls Lock 20w.

The navigation and towpath will be closed between Locks 21 and 20 West to allow installation of grout into lock chamber and towpath approach to seal extensive leakage.

British Waterways apologise for any inconvenience.

(Enquiries: 01782 785703)

 

This work has still not started, has it been cancelled?

Advice: Halls Bridge, Lock 20W

13 - 23 Mar 2012

Associated Regional Office: Manchester & Pennine Waterways

Closure of the bridge to the public.

There will be no restriction to navigation.

British Waterways apologise for any inconvenience caused.

(Enquiries: 01782 785703)

 

"no restriction to navigation" is not correct. There is no access to the non-towpath side to open paddles and gates unless you are prepared to tightrope walk across the top gate, something that most sensible people are not prepared to do.

 

The outcome of all this is that we are trapped in the middle of the two stoppages - not particularly happy

Edited March 14, 2012 by safsnowball

[mayalld]

Restriction: Lock 16W to 17W

13 Apr 2008 until further notice

Associated Regional Office: BW North-West

A retaining wall has collapsed onto the towpath between 16W and 17W on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal; as such the towpath has been closed for health and safety reasons. Navigation is not affected.

Pedestrians are requested to follow the diversion notices that are in place.

Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused.

 

I was planning to take our boat through here today so thought I would drive past the area just to check what was happening. Discovered that the pound between locks 16W and 17W has been totally drained, presumably to facilitate the work on the retaining wall. Huge boulders and debris have fallen into the canal as a result of the work ongoing. Good job I hadn't set off, would have had a few miles and locks to reverse back through.

 

 

So, there is a towpath closure that has been in place for almost FOUR YEARS, and you find the pound drained. You conclude that the stoppage notice is wrong, and that the canal has in fact been closed for the past four years?

 

BW, for all their faults, aren't actually in the habit of dewatering a pound without issuing a stoppage notice, and are hardly likely to do so on the basis of a long term towpath restriction notice.

 

Did you find any evidence that the pound has been drained by BW? Are the paddles at lock 17W secured to prevent water from being drawn down into the pound? Are the paddles at 16W secured in the up position to ensure that the pound remains empty.

 

In the absence of such evidence, I would conclude that the pound has been drained either due to leaking gates, or due to vandalism.

[safsnowball]

So, there is a towpath closure that has been in place for almost FOUR YEARS, and you find the pound drained. You conclude that the stoppage notice is wrong, and that the canal has in fact been closed for the past four years?

 

BW, for all their faults, aren't actually in the habit of dewatering a pound without issuing a stoppage notice, and are hardly likely to do so on the basis of a long term towpath restriction notice.

 

Did you find any evidence that the pound has been drained by BW? Are the paddles at lock 17W secured to prevent water from being drawn down into the pound? Are the paddles at 16W secured in the up position to ensure that the pound remains empty.

 

In the absence of such evidence, I would conclude that the pound has been drained either due to leaking gates, or due to vandalism.

 

Sorry I think you misunderstand my point. I am well aware that the towpath has been closed for years, and of course know that the pound hasn't been drained in that period.

 

BW recently issued a new stoppage notice which relates to the rebuilding of the retaining wall . What you possibly don't realise is that at long last they have started this work. There are two bucket diggers working in a precarious position on the high steeply sloping banking and as I have said large rocks and rubble have rolled down into the canal. I have little doubt that the draining is a deliberate act - by BW or the contractors I know not.

[safsnowball]

To clear up any misunderstanding, this is the stoppage notification I would have been better quoting

 

Towpath Closure only: Huddersfield Narrow Canal, Between Bridge 87 and Bridge 85

20 Feb 2012 - 23 Mar 2012

Associated Regional Office: Manchester & Pennine Waterways

Details and reasons for restriction: To facilitate re-build of fallen retaining wall.

British Waterways apologise for any inconvenience caused.

[PeterScott]

 

This is the towpath last year, and it's obviously a good thing to be sorting it out at last.

My email said: under a heading Towpath Closure only: Huddersfield Narrow Canal

Huddersfield Narrow Canal, Between Bridge 87 and Bridge 85 Monday 20 February 2012 - Friday 23 March 2012

To facilitate re-build of fallen retaining wall. ... Enquiries: 01782 785703

And of course if you ring BW they will just read Waterscape back to you, so not much help there. It is worth sending a COMPLAINT sometimes. (eg here)

 

I suppose with the East side closed by

Stoppage: Sellers Tunnel/Lock 3E 01 Oct 2011 - 31 Mar 2012

and Standedge closed until 2 April

and the other one mentioned

Stoppage: Halls Lock 20W 09 - 30 Mar 2012 To allow localised dewatering of lock chamber for major grouting works

 

they're not expecting many boat movements which would be inconvenienced by an extra bit of dewatering..

(Ed we crossed posts - yes the email heading did say the same as Waterscape)

Edited March 14, 2012 by PeterScott

[mayalld]

 

 

Sorry I think you misunderstand my point. I am well aware that the towpath has been closed for years, and of course know that the pound hasn't been drained in that period.

 

BW recently issued a new stoppage notice which relates to the rebuilding of the retaining wall . What you possibly don't realise is that at long last they have started this work. There are two bucket diggers working in a precarious position on the high steeply sloping banking and as I have said large rocks and rubble have rolled down into the canal. I have little doubt that the draining is a deliberate act - by BW or the contractors I know not.

 

Whoever has drained the pound, it appears that they have done so without bothering to get a proper stoppage issued.

 

If BW management aren't aware of what has happened, they need to take appropriate action against the people who drained it without authority. If BW Management are aware, they need to explain the failure to issue a stoppage notice.

 

I haven't been past for a couple of weeks, but I might take a look on the way home.

[Rich]

Whoever has drained the pound, it appears that they have done so without bothering to get a proper stoppage issued.

 

If BW management aren't aware of what has happened, they need to take appropriate action against the people who drained it without authority. If BW Management are aware, they need to explain the failure to issue a stoppage notice.

 

I haven't been past for a couple of weeks, but I might take a look on the way home.

or, you could have written "sorry, I appear to have jumped in with both feet, most unlike me".

[BlueStringPudding]

The outcome of all this is that we are trapped in the middle of the two stoppages - not particularly happy

 

In that case, according to the method British Waterways applied in Cow Roast, you should be receiving a patrol notice informing you that they will be charging you mooring fees while your are trapped.

 

(Aimed at no one in particular:) See how ridiculous BW's managing of the whole Cow Roast nonsense was?

 

The outcome of all this is that we are trapped in the middle of the two stoppages - not particularly happy

 

In that case, according to the method British Waterways applied in Cow Roast, you should be receiving a patrol notice informing you that they will be charging you mooring fees while your are trapped.

(aimed at no one in particular:) See how ridiculous BW's managing of the whole Cow Roast nonsense was?

Edited March 14, 2012 by BlueStringPudding

[mayalld]

or, you could have written "sorry, I appear to have jumped in with both feet, most unlike me".

 

Not at all.

 

I have still seen NOTHING that suggests that this pound has been dewatered with official sanction.

[safsnowball]

Not at all.

 

I have still seen NOTHING that suggests that this pound has been dewatered with official sanction.

 

Well have a look for yourself as you have suggested.

 

I have emailed BW, will see what their response is.

 

n.b You did jump down my throat a little bit, but hey I'm thick skinned

[mayalld]

Well have a look for yourself as you have suggested.

 

I have emailed BW, will see what their response is.

 

n.b You did jump down my throat a little bit, but hey I'm thick skinned

 

If you feel that your throat has been jumped down, that was not my intention.

 

I would say, however, that you yourself have been rather quick to point the finger at BW.

 

If/when you establish that they have dewatered a pound without issuing a stoppage notice, then call them names, but let us determine the cause before you have them against the wall.

 

As I understand it, the remediation work is not a BW project (because it isn't their responsibility), and it is equally possible that a contractor that BW haven't employed has drained the canal without authority.

[safsnowball]

My original post refers to three stoppages, two of the three are BW's responsibility and I still think the third will prove to be also.

 

I'd be surprised if the contractor happened to have the necessary anti-vandal key and windlass , but its pointless debating the issue further, let's see what BW say if they respond.

[safsnowball]

To BW's credit I have received a speedy response to my email to them. Reproduced below for those interested/affected by the stoppages.

 

"We apologise for the confusion regarding the stoppages you listed below.

 

Lock 16W to 17W:

The retaining wall which collapsed is currently in the process of being rebuilt to re-open the towpath, the rubble will be removed from the canal and towpath during these works. The canal level should not have been low today and we thank you for bringing this to our attention, we are currently investigating why it was low and hope to have it refilled tomorrow.

 

Halls Lock 20W:

Unfortunately due to the works being carried on Halls Bridge by contractors for British Gas, the planned works on the lock have been delayed but are due to start on Monday 19 March, this will not affect the completion date of March 30th.

 

Halls Bridge, Lock 20W:

 

Works are currently being carried out by British Gas contractors. The navigation is still open and the contractors are escorting boats through whilst this is on-going.

 

There shouldn’t be any problems with your passage through this navigation this weekend, however, if you would like further clarification or have any other enquiries please feel free to contact us on 01782 785703"

Edited March 14, 2012 by safsnowball

[mayalld]

My original post refers to three stoppages, two of the three are BW's responsibility and I still think the third will prove to be also.

 

I'd be surprised if the contractor happened to have the necessary anti-vandal key and windlass , but its pointless debating the issue further, let's see what BW say if they respond.

Well, as promised I have just been past, and as of 5pm the pound is full.

 

Looks very like a leaky gate or unauthorised interference rather than anything BW has done wrong.

[PeterScott]

leaky gate ... rather than anything BW has done wrong.

Hmmm if it turns out to have been a leaky gate then BW would be righter in mending it:-)