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Post by naughtyfox on Jun 28, 2017 20:16:24 GMT
Towpath Talk, July edition, front page:
Tunnel Paddlers
Canoeists are being allowed to paddle through the Foulridge Tunnel beneath the Pennines, writes Geoff Wood (who he?).
For 200 years, it has been the preserve of narrowboats but now entry to the mile-long tunnel on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal is being controlled by lights allowing access to other craft.
Local canoeist Rob Hardy said it was a great development - however, a boaters' group (who??) has described it as exceptionally long and dark to canoe through safely.
Foxy wonders:
1. Going through tunnels the noise of our engine means I can hear fuck all else, and all I can see is the roof where the headlight picks it out. How am I to know if I squash and mangle a kayak? As CRT are allowing this passage by canoe/kayak, will they be held responsible for deaths and injuries? There is no info as to how 'the lights' will work, nor who will be supervising, ie. how many have gone in and how many have come out.
2. CRT has not informed boaters about this, and has certainly not asked us if we are aware that there may be canoeists in the Foulridge Tunnel. If I had not read about it by chance then I would not have known.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2017 20:20:46 GMT
How long does it take to paddle a canoe through the tunnel?
If it can be done between a green light and it changing to green at the other end I don't see a problem.
Of course some idiot may enter on red in which case they deserve to ge run down.
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Post by naughtyfox on Jun 28, 2017 20:32:00 GMT
What happens when they enter on green but are slow? They may have suffered a heart attack, a stroke, the collywobbles, or just sat there in the dark picking their nose. We know already that there are those who will go through on red, in the same way insurance companies have high premiums for ALL young drivers.
Whoever at CRT who approved this should be held responsible for any incidents. We know full well there will be no proper supervision.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2017 20:36:46 GMT
It's certainly a dumb idea. I am under no illusions that CRT will come to regret the policy in due course.
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Post by kris on Jun 28, 2017 20:40:29 GMT
It takes me longer to get through foulridge than one green light. Widebeam boat going through a narrow space, I think they call it displacement. But Crt bank staff will make sure that no boat enters the tunnel whilst I'm in the tunnel.
So maybe getting canoeists to tell Crt when they want to go through under supervision.
Ps for most of its 200 years there has been no narrowboats through it .
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Post by naughtyfox on Jun 28, 2017 20:48:09 GMT
I have no objection to canoeists going through the tunnel, or indeed cows, sheep or rhinocerases swimming through it. But without strict supervision this is another Grenfell Tower "oh we didn't know..." waiting to happen. Who is the Health and Safety bod who approved this?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2017 20:48:53 GMT
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Post by kris on Jun 28, 2017 20:53:05 GMT
Oh well that's okay then it's shantellle seaborn who has okayed it.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2017 21:05:47 GMT
What happens when they enter on green but are slow? They may have suffered a heart attack, a stroke, the collywobbles, or just sat there in the dark picking their nose. We know already that there are those who will go through on red, in the same way insurance companies have high premiums for ALL young drivers. Whoever at CRT who approved this should be held responsible for any incidents. We know full well there will be no proper supervision. I'm wondering when H&S will eventually shut down anything remotely risky. We've got barriers on the tow path through Reading. What next? Ban skydiving, gliding, boating, cars passing within 1 meter of each other at terminal speeds of 100mph... Mind you I wouldn't want to take a canoe through a long tunnel. I mean why not just find a local pond and shut your eyes? |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2017 21:11:21 GMT
CRT has failed to make boaters aware of this - we have had no personal contact from them as to the possibilty of encountering canoeists in the tunnel. Sloppy from the start. Errrrrrr.... So how exactly did you become aware? |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2017 21:11:55 GMT
It's certainly a dumb idea. I am under no illusions that CRT will come to regret the policy in due course. Might turn out to be a good excuse to close down a navigation..  |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2017 21:12:38 GMT
Oh well that's okay then it's shantellle seaborn who has okayed it. I simply answered foxy' s question. |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2017 21:13:41 GMT
CRT has failed to make boaters aware of this - we have had no personal contact from them as to the possibilty of encountering canoeists in the tunnel. Sloppy from the start. Errrrrrr.... So how exactly did you become aware? Come on Martin, everyone knows all boaters are psychic!  |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2017 21:15:26 GMT
The canoeists are required to adopt certain procedures, if they don't and a boat runs them down then its tough shit.
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Post by kris on Jun 28, 2017 21:16:17 GMT
Oh well that's okay then it's shantellle seaborn who has okayed it. I simply answered foxy' s question. dont take it personally or are you shantelles sock puppet? |
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