Ashton stoppage after gate damage

[MartinClark]

The Ashton Canal has now re-opened after being closed since Saturday afternoon when a gate was damaged by a boat.

 

BW ground staff say that a boat going up through Lock 14 (Clayton) got its bow stuck between the gate and the balance beam. As the boat continued to rise in the lock, the boat lifted the gate from its position, damaging the collar fixings.

 

The lock was rendered inoperable and new collar fixings had to be made before the gate could be put back in place.

 

The repairs were completed this afternoon and the canal has re-opened.

 

It was noticeable on Sunday that there was not the usual stream of hire boats passing through Portland Basin on their way round the Cheshire Ring, so I would imagine that quite a few hirers had their holday plans somewhat disrupted.

 

There are a couple of photos here.