It’s muddy work at Stratford Canal as lock gates are replaced
A drained stretch of the Stratford Canal gave a rare insight into what it looked like as repair work got under way last week.
The obligatory abandoned rusty bicycle could be seen looming from the silt, as ducks still paddled by in the narrow remaining flow.
The works along the canal near Maidenhead Road are so that the Canal and River Trust (CRT) can replace the top and bottom lock gates at Lock 53.
A spokesperson told the Herald: “Each of our lock gates have a lifespan of around 25 years. After this time, they normally need replacing to ensure they are watertight and are easy for boaters to operate.
“Lock gates are handcrafted from oak from original drawings. As they are handmade each gate is slightly different to ensure a snug fit once in the lock.”
The works started at the beginning of the new year and are expected the be completed by the 2nd February.
“We typically do this work over winter as its quieter for boaters, so we cause the least amount of disruption when we close sections of canals,” continued the spokesperson. “These works are part of a £50m improvement we’re doing along our canals in England and Wales this winter.”
CRT launched in July 2012 when it took over the activities in England and Wales from British Waterways and The Waterways Trust.
It has come under heavy criticism recently from boaters after it announced significant hikes in boat licence costs over the next five years, with those without permanent moorings hardest hit.
At the moment a boat-owner with a licence for continuous cruising, rather than with a base, will see a doubling of their current £1,300 licence by 2028.
Canal boat resident Oliver Sagar told the Herald: “CRT has failed to achieve adequate government help to address their financial shortfall which currently stands at £167m.
“The answer that CRT are adopting is to hit their easiest target, boaters, with unreasonable licence rises and costs, including a rise in two years of 33 per cent for the most vulnerable group and more above inflation rises promised for the next five years. The effect of this will force many people off their boats, putting greater pressure on local councils to rehome them when there are no houses to be had. The alternative of course will be to sleep rough.”
CRT says it has had to introduce heavier costs in the wake of government funding cutbacks.
A spokesperson commented: “The cost of looking after our ageing canals is increasing while funding from government is reducing, and we must raise money from all our income streams to keep canals open. All boaters will see above-inflation price increases, and we’re asking those who use the network most to pay slightly more.
“While just one fifth of the 35,000-plus boats on our waterways don’t have a home mooring, they accounted for three-quarters of the boats sighted using our waterways and moored on our towpaths. These boats are also more reliant on facilities provided by the Trust, leading to increased costs to meet their needs.”
The spokesperson continued: “We are bringing the surcharge in gradually to help boaters to adjust, and our welfare support team will assist all those struggling wherever possible – including directing them towards benefits that are often available for those living afloat on low incomes.”
