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Post by naughtyfox on Aug 4, 2020 17:15:21 GMT
Doesn't this fiddling with locks amount to 'Terrorism'? Interfering with the country's infrastructure?
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Post by TonyDunkley on Aug 4, 2020 17:16:56 GMT
. . . . . . . . . . . As I am sure you are aware, most of our waterways are over 200 years old and repairs will be needed from time to time. We do our best to keep our waterways open for navigation, but closures may be required as a result of occasional unforeseen events or essential maintenance and repair work. Except in emergencies or for other unavoidable reasons, we try to arrange our maintenance work to cause you the least disruption. This means that most work requiring closures will be done between the beginning of November and the end of March. There may be other occasions when, due to causes beyond our reasonable control, we have to close part or (exceptionally) all of the Waterway. The Licence fees are calculated on the assumption that you will be affected by closures from time to time.. . . . . . . . . . . ____________________________________________________________ Anything to comment about? Yes, there is, . . it's that over used and irrelevant bit of nonsense about the age (of most) of our inland waterways that gets consistently trotted out as a cover-up for the lack of effective routine inspection and maintenance of lock gates and paddle gear. I can't remember exactly how long ago British Waterways first came up with it, but it has gone unchallenged for far too long.
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Post by Telemachus on Aug 4, 2020 17:21:34 GMT
Doesn't this fiddling with locks amount to 'Terrorism'? Interfering with the country's infrastructure? Yes. Perhaps you should report CRT to the police?
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Post by metanoia on Aug 4, 2020 18:00:15 GMT
Someone DID exactly that when only one paddle was restricted many, many months ago - so it seems CRT came back, applied them to both paddles and welded (or certainly fixed so you couldn't bash them off again) the nuts in position. If you assessed them with your engineering eye and can give me some tips as to how best I can remove them when there are no witnesses I'd be extremely grateful and would do my best to assist/interfere when next passing through - if only to help folks moor on the new rings kindly provided along the breach site (which are spaced only for 67/72ft boats, I hear!). I didn’t look that closely but it seemed they were just held on by a bolt and nyloc nut, so I would have thought 2 spanners would have sorted it. But perhaps there is something else more substantial eg it’s been welded. But still, nothing a battery powered angle grinder couldn’t sort! Thanks. Some may have tried the multiple spanner/hammer option - it is DEFINITELY more substantial than that (probably welded/hammered over) so I'll just have to leave it to the big boys .....
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Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2020 19:17:26 GMT
If you need any help getting up or down locks which don't work then I can have a word with the sorters but if you just want to make the lock fill or empty a bit quicker then it gets more complicated.
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Post by Isambard Kingdom Brunel on Aug 5, 2020 16:40:46 GMT
I followed up with a complaint about Stanthorne lock. I had the following reply.
"Thank you for your reply.
Stanthorpe Lock is in for repair, whilst we make necessary arrangements, operation guidelines have been implemented to ensure safe operation. The guidelines are as follows:
Ensure bottom offside gate is closed first and gates align correctly before operating paddles.
Open tow path side gate paddle first to release pressure before attempting to lift the offside paddle.
Signage is onsite to reflect this information.
We urge all our users to follow these guidelines to ensure the correct and safe use of this lock. Unfortunately, we do not have the resources to oversee every lock use and we rely on our customers to alert us to issues as soon as they face them. That way, any issues can be logged, looked in to and prioritised for repair.
If you happen to come across any further issues in the North West, please do let us know either by email here at enquiries North West or by calling us on 03030 404040.
"
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Post by Deleted on Aug 5, 2020 16:44:20 GMT
"in for repair" is interesting use of language.
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Post by Isambard Kingdom Brunel on Aug 5, 2020 17:05:45 GMT
"in for repair" is interesting use of language. I thought so too, it is still there, leaking like a sieve. Boating traffic has been heavy today. I wonder how long it will be before it is properly repaired, hope its not like the cobblers------ The bottom gates have been grooved and leaking severely for years.
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Post by Telemachus on Aug 5, 2020 17:36:30 GMT
Certainly the offside bottom paddle is extremely stiff and has been for ages.
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Post by Isambard Kingdom Brunel on Aug 5, 2020 21:56:55 GMT
Need 2 weetabix.
Quote from BW years ago " All BW lock paddles and gates are opperatable by a 9 stone female"
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Post by Telemachus on Aug 5, 2020 22:14:40 GMT
Need 2 weetabix. Quote from BW years ago " All BW lock paddles and gates are opperatable by a 9 stone female" Twice now, I have been on the nearside bottom paddle with a random female on the other side. Of course I whack my paddle right up pretty much with one hand, whilst female struggles to move hers at all. Then the quandary - do I offer to do it for her (get accused of sexism, chauvinism, mansplaining etc) or do I let her struggle on (get accused of being unchivalrous). You can’t win! Each time I have made a mental note to avoid the quandary by going to the offside paddle next time, which I can of course work being a ruffty tuffty 6’5 bloke, but I forgot the other week and no doubt will forget next time as it will likely be a year or two hence.
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Post by TonyDunkley on Aug 5, 2020 22:40:34 GMT
The increasing occurrences of hard to draw paddles goes back to the late 1980's/early 1990's when BWB began making them from Tufnol and other similar synthetic materials instead of Elm.
Contrary to popular belief, Tufnol and similar materials do absorb water and swell. The problem was, and still is, that paddles made from these materials were/are fitted with the correct clearance in the guides when dry, in contrast with Elm paddles which were always stored in a tank full of water until needed, when they were sized up and fitted wet.
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Post by duncan on Aug 5, 2020 22:59:16 GMT
There are structures over a thousand years old in the UK which will stand no doubt for another thousand years BECAUSE they receive ongoing preventative maintenance ... I know you live in Finland but on your visits here I believe you ring bells in churches much, much older than our canals naughtyfox . The overall picture of the system may be improving, but the detail when examined is worrying ... I do hope the doubled Cheshire locks are not going to be abandoned into single locks just for convenience and to save money and work. Rog Actually an interesting first sentence. The National Trust is having to make savings of £100M due to the drop in finances because of covid. As well as redundancies presumably maintenance and restoration of their buildings and structures will have to be cut back.
I would think that other similar charities will be in the same position.
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Post by naughtyfox on Aug 6, 2020 6:09:35 GMT
30 million people in the UK getting £10 pie & beer vouchers = £300 million.
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Post by Jim on Aug 12, 2020 18:51:55 GMT
30 million people in the UK getting £10 pie & beer vouchers = £300 million. Do keep up at the back. No alcoholic drinks, just pies. Claimed our first voucher today with Noreen and her friend. Just shy of £15 for 3 salads, tea, coffee and a scone with everything for me. Yum! In the shade of the cherry tree in the garden of the Cherry Tree Cafe, Littleborough.
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