AMModels Posted July 20, 2017 Report Share Posted July 20, 2017 Walsall CanalStarts At: Lock 1, Walsall Top LockEnds At: Lock 8, Walsall Bottom LockThursday 20 July 2017 12:00 until further noticeType: Navigation Closure Reason: VandalismUpdate on 20/07/2017:Please note that this is due to the balance beam being sawn off and we will provide an update as soon as we have a plan to resolve the issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMModels Posted July 21, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2017 (edited) Some pics of the damage to the beam of lock 2, doesnt look like random vandalism. Cuts very clean and as you can see in the second pic theres a services line marked in white on the brickwork that lines up with the cut. Could CRT have tried to refuse access to a contractor and upset someone? Edited July 21, 2017 by AMModels photo source: BrownhillsBob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicknorman Posted July 22, 2017 Report Share Posted July 22, 2017 If it was winter one might think someone was short of firewood! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sea Dog Posted July 22, 2017 Report Share Posted July 22, 2017 That can't have been an easy cut! Someone certainly needed a lump of wood like that for a particular purpose: let's hope it doesn't become 'a thing'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taslim Posted July 23, 2017 Report Share Posted July 23, 2017 On 22/07/2017 at 08:13, Sea Dog said: That can't have been an easy cut! Someone certainly needed a lump of wood like that for a particular purpose: let's hope it doesn't become 'a thing'. Prolly quite easy. It looks like a chain saw job and quite neat. I wonder how the beam was carried off, if it was? I have new garden feature it is heavy but................. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMModels Posted July 23, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2017 8 hours ago, Taslim said: Prolly quite easy. It looks like a chain saw job and quite neat. I wonder how the beam was carried off, if it was? I have new garden feature it is heavy but................. Someone who knew what they were doing though, very neat and squared off the split as well. Not some kids with a chainsaw messing about. There are service lines under the area the beam extended over, fresh surveyors markings on the ground too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john6767 Posted July 23, 2017 Report Share Posted July 23, 2017 Was the beam actually removed? If it was there seems no logic to cut off the top bean, the bottom lock is closer to the road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMModels Posted July 23, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2017 3 hours ago, john6767 said: Was the beam actually removed? If it was there seems no logic to cut off the top bean, the bottom lock is closer to the road. yup no sign of the beam anywhere. That wouldnt have been easy to move it must have weighed a couple of hundred kilos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john6767 Posted July 25, 2017 Report Share Posted July 25, 2017 (edited) Just seen on Twitter that it is both the top and bottom beams that have been cut off! edited to add, this is LOCK 4, i.e. They have done another one it seems, madness. Edited July 25, 2017 by john6767 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicknorman Posted July 25, 2017 Report Share Posted July 25, 2017 I suppose it's on a par with stealing lead from church roofs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMModels Posted July 25, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2017 John I think I may have been in error, this is the same lock but the second beam being cut off is new according to the people who were there the other day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john6767 Posted July 25, 2017 Report Share Posted July 25, 2017 58 minutes ago, AMModels said: John I think I may have been in error, this is the same lock but the second beam being cut off is new according to the people who were there the other day. Ok so was it always lock 4 then, but someone has now come back and done the bottom gate? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2uluru Posted July 26, 2017 Report Share Posted July 26, 2017 John6767 – yes, it is now both ends of the same lock (the last photo steps top right shows it is lock 4) I visited "the scene of the crime" on Saturday but have not been back to see the result of the second event – I've got no idea what is going on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
furnessvale Posted July 26, 2017 Report Share Posted July 26, 2017 8 hours ago, john6767 said: Ok so was it always lock 4 then, but someone has now come back and done the bottom gate? Lace the new beams with hidden nails and barbed wire! George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starman Posted July 26, 2017 Report Share Posted July 26, 2017 At least one beam is pictured floating in the water on FB which makes the whole thing even more bloody pointless. Hopefully they don't go back and have another go somewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john6767 Posted July 26, 2017 Report Share Posted July 26, 2017 32 minutes ago, furnessvale said: Lace the new beams with hidden nails and barbed wire! George Metal bar down each side, give them a bit more to think about if they try again. These are some of the additional pictures from FB, for those that don't do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
furnessvale Posted July 26, 2017 Report Share Posted July 26, 2017 1 minute ago, john6767 said: Metal bar down each side, give them a bit more to think about if they try again. These are some of the additional pictures from FB, for those that don't do it. Looking at the beam floating in the water, it is vandalism pure and simple. Looks like some yobs have stolen themselves a chain saw. With a bit of luck, one of them will not be used to using one and take his own leg off! I still prefer hidden nails. Much more chance of a snatch causing the effect outlined above! George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuthound Posted July 26, 2017 Report Share Posted July 26, 2017 Looks like repairs are now underway. Let's hope they don't cut off the replacement beams. Notice Alert Walsall CanalStarts At: Lock 1, Walsall Top LockEnds At: Lock 8, Walsall Bottom Lock Thursday 20 July 2017 12:00 until further notice Type: Navigation Closure Reason: Vandalism Update on 26/07/2017: Despite further acts of vandalism to locks on this flight we are pleased to confirm that works are now underway to replace the damaged beams. We hope that the flight will be open by close of play tomorrow (Thursday 27th) at the latest but we will update the notice as soon as the works are complete and we have any more information. Update on 20/07/2017: Please note that this is due to the balance beam being sawn off and we will provide an update as soon as we have a plan to resolve the issue. Original message: Due to vandalism the Walsall Lock flight will be closed until further notice. Alternative routes are via the Tame Valley Canal and along the Rushall,Canal or the Birmingham Mainline Canal to Wolverhampton and continuing on to the Wyrley & Essington Canal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
furnessvale Posted July 26, 2017 Report Share Posted July 26, 2017 3 minutes ago, cuthound said: Looks like repairs are now underway. Let's hope they don't cut off the replacement beams. Steel beams bolted onto what's left of the balance beams would stop the yobs. That is until they steal a petrol powered angle grinder to do the job! George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuthound Posted July 26, 2017 Report Share Posted July 26, 2017 Perhaps if they connected the replacement steel beams to the main overnight... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMModels Posted July 26, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2017 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
furnessvale Posted July 26, 2017 Report Share Posted July 26, 2017 37 minutes ago, AMModels said: I'm impressed! They are actually using a workboat for the job instead of installing a motorway access to get the lorries in! George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMModels Posted July 26, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john6767 Posted July 27, 2017 Report Share Posted July 27, 2017 Now open. I think CRT have done a good job in moving quickly, let's hope it stays open. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GRLMK38 Posted July 27, 2017 Report Share Posted July 27, 2017 Credit where credit's due. I hope their "vandalism investigators" are as successful in trying to find (and prosecute) the culprit(s). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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