K&A closed Reading to Newbury... UFN!

[MtB]

Just been notified the K&A is closed all the way from Reading to Newbury for some sort of emergency exercise.

 

https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notice/9682/emergency-response-exercise

 

 

[David Mack]

Sounds like the emergency services didn't give CRT advance notice that they were planning an exercise on the canal/river.

[magpie patrick]

My original plan would have had me above, but only just above, Woolhampton Lock today: would I have found a crack squadron trying to storm my boat?

 

On a very minor point - "Until Further Notice" used to mean "a very long time, possibly never" - think Anderton Lift, Blisworth Tunnel etc. Now it seems to mean they not very long but they won't commit themselves to a time

[Peter X]

We shouldn't expect advance notice of something like this. Isn't the whole idea that in order to test how well the emergency services respond, none of them must know anything in advance about the incident? As it's been planned, I can't see it being designed to take long, a few days at most.

[billS]

That seems like a ridiculously long stretch of canal to close. How are they going to enforce it? Will they take the trouble to chain closed 20 or so locks and cut power to the bridges? If not, what is to stop someone proceeding on their merry way?

[MtB]

It also seems a bit odd to close the canal for an emergency exercise.

 

In a real emergency situation of the type they are practicing, boats presumably will still be cruising as normal.

[matty40s]

CRT voluteers are patrolling the towpaths sticking notices on boats and ensuring boaters stay indoors.

 

The CRT and other Emergency Services define emergencies according to four levels of increasing significance: Unusual Event(Boat movement), Alert(windlass deployed), Site Area Emergency(Saturday morning water point use), and General Emergency(SUMMER HOLIDAYS). See CRT Moorings terms and conditions for the definitions of these four levels.

Only in a General Emergency where radiation is expected to leave the local Rubbish Disposal Site (Orange Bins) in amounts that might threaten public safety; however,local authorities might initiate protective actions at an earlier stage. If you live within 10 miles of the RDS, you are within the "Emergency Planning Zone." You may receive one or more alerts to warn you of the situation once protection actions are initiated:

• Sirens - ignore if near Reading Hospital
• A tone alert on your radio - ignore during the Archers
• A route alert from emergency responders (the “flooded river” method)
• A robo-call from a public safety warning system (e.g., REVERSE 999)

If you hear such a warning, tune your radio or television to the BBC local station for your area - even if Neighbours is on. The station is identified in the emergency preparedness information you receive annually from the TV Licencing Authority. If you do not have a licence - you will be dealt with later Follow the instructions you receive from this station.

These instructions may include directions for evacuating or for remaining where you are (called sheltering in engine hole) to reduce any possible exposure to radiation. Remember:

• Instructions will come from your Damien Kemp Update and local volunteers, not from nb Blabber O'Riley - your usual source of waterways gossip
• Evacuation may not be the best course of action, depending on the conditions of the emergency and other factors such as wind direction or lack of diesel.

Remember: If you are hurt or sick and require immediate help, call 999.

If you live near the Rubbish Disposal Point but outside the 10-mile Emergency Planning Zone, you most likely will not be asked or required to take protective action. Stay tuned to your local media for up-to-the-minute information and advice from your local officials. Stock up with Fray Bentos Pies just in case.

Dirty Elsan Disposal Point Explosion

A dirty EDP, or "radiological dispersal device," combines a conventional effluents along with a radioactive material such as a Vindaloo from Sulhamstead Raj. If one explodes near you, take the following steps:

• Move at least several locks from the explosion and get indoors. This will reduce exposure to any airborne radioactive dust.
• Check local radio or television stations for advisories from emergency response and health authorities.
• Remove your clothes and place them in a sealed plastic bag. Your contaminated clothing can be tested for radiation contamination at any local CRT office - or online if you have a Maplins digital Geiger Counter.
• Take a shower to wash off dust and dirt. Cold if you have run out of gas This will reduce total radiation exposure, if the explosive device contained radioactive material.
• If radioactive material was released, local news broadcasts will advise you where to report for radiation monitoring and tests to determine whether you were exposed and what steps to take to protect your health. Keep your batteries charged by running your engines 24 hours a day if you have to

[carlt]

 

CRT voluteers are patrolling the towpaths sticking notices on boats and ensuring boaters stay indoors.

 

You may receive one or more alerts to warn you of the situation once protection actions are initiated:

• Sirens - ignore if near Reading Hospital
• A tone alert on your radio - ignore during the Archers
• A route alert from emergency responders (the “flooded river” method)
• A robo-call from a public safety warning system (e.g., REVERSE 999)

If you hear such a warning, tune your radio or television to the BBC local station for your area - even if Neighbours is on. The station is identified in the emergency preparedness information you receive annually from the TV Licencing Authority. If you do not have a licence - you will be dealt with later Follow the instructions you receive from this station.

 

[Mac of Cygnet]

Relax, everyone. It's over.

[Cheshire cat]

Did the pill boxes get used is what we need to know.

[carlt]

Did the pill boxes get used is what we need to know.

They usually do when folk are wandering about miles from a toilet.

[dmr]

We was right in the middle of this, and unaware, so just carried on cruising from Woolhampton through a couple of locks till we got to Monkey Marsh which had the top gates chained shut. Saw a CaRT van and a CaRT man just below Monkey Marsh but nothing else.

After a short wait the CaRT man unlocked the gates. He did not really know what was going on (or did not say much) but suggested it was an exercise attributed to the police and AWE.

 

We did see some landscape people (not Fountains) doing some serious towpath vegetation pruning, maybe they were spies.

 

...............Dave

[alias]

 

After a short wait the CaRT man unlocked the gates. He did not really know what was going on (or did not say much) but suggested it was an exercise attributed to the police and AWE.

 

 

Looks like it was an exercise of AWE's off site emergency plan according to this schedule: http://www.onr.org.uk/emergexeprog.htm

 

There is a public version of the plan available, but it is a long read! http://info.westberks.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=42490&p=0

[Bunny]

Is the canal open then? . Bunny

[ditchcrawler]

Is the canal open then? . Bunny

I have not received a notice from CRT cancelling the closure.

[spadefoot]

It was only closed for a couple of hours.